who are you when you're alone?

[self_composed]

A week later, Bella receives a fancy acceptance letter from Stanford. Squee!

[I'm in,] she tells Alice merrily.

Comments

[self_composed]

Bella snickers. "What manner of celebratory cookies am I sharing?" she asks.

[edgeofyourseat]

"Oreo cheesecake!" says Hilary. Alice beams.

[self_composed]

"Tomorrow I'm going to read the entire course catalog," Bella says. "It's long."

[edgeofyourseat]

"Have fun with that," says Alice.

"Sounds thrilling," Hilary agrees.

[self_composed]

Eventually cookies are de-ovened, and cooled, and eaten. "Mmmm."

[edgeofyourseat]

"Do I smell baking?" asks a voice from just outside the kitchen.

"Yes you do!" says Hilary. "We're celebrating!"

"What are you—oh. Hello, Bella," says Judith as she steps inside.

[self_composed]

"Hello," Bella says. She's not sure what she should be calling Judith now, but she can get away with not knowing for a while. "We're celebrating me getting into Stanford."

[edgeofyourseat]

"Oh," she repeats. "Congratulations!"

Entirely sincere, and entirely without thought of contrasting this accomplishment against her delinquent son's dwindling likelihood of ever graduating high school. Alice smiles.

[self_composed]

"Thanks! I'm excited. I'm going to join the soccer team and the orchestra, and maybe if the practice times don't conflict I'll try out for some plays or something, and of course there's classes."

[edgeofyourseat]

"That does sound like a lot," Judith says vaguely. Alice hands her a cookie just to give her something to do other than ramble.

[self_composed]

"I'm going to be busy," Bella agrees.

[edgeofyourseat]

"Busy being awesome," says Alice.

"Yes, I think that's clear," says Judith, and smiles.