Devil's heart

Chapter One

-So, you want to go to RBC, RISD or Columbia?

I gulped, the stress of choosing good colleges without putting myself on a marble column was hard. I knew that my grades were only just above average and my behaviour had never been good. I'd been living in Spain my whole life as a bilingual kid, but I never thought I'd come so far.

-Yes, I've prepared my portfolios and I have chosen those three.

The counsellor stared into my eyes, he really does look like a villain doesn't he? I though to myself as an image of my classmates popped in my head. We had been waiting in line with all of our scholar progress in giant folders next to the counselor's office and the man honestly looked like he hadn't slept in three days.

-Could you hand me the folder please?

I handed him the cold, cardboard rectangle and he snatched it onto his table. He opened it and started looking through my grades first. He didn't look disappointed, but I knew there were classmates of mine with way better grades. He looked up from the portfolio and his red tinted eyes bore into my soul, and his cracked voice said:

-Your grades aren't spectacular, Sarah. You can't raise this that much and you probably won't be getting a scholarship for sports either. Most colleges don't give out scholarships for sailing and even though you have the highest average of your class for Biology, you don't seem to want to be a scientist. Colleges want something new and they want you to have a passion in something you're good at. You probably won't get into Columbia, sorry.

He looked so tired that I wondered if he even meant that. I thought in my head how mad my mom would be that I wouldn't get into the same college as her, but I knew this would happen. I only applied because she told me to. The man in front of me, Mr. Demos, gave my grades one last stare and put the grade book on the table, to reveal my portfolio. He carefully flipped through a few pages, most of them portraits. I had made a few pointilism portraits, using bright, unrealistic colours, greyscale and with acrylic paint, I had made a mostly realistic one. His face lit up as he passed through my paintings, sketches and eye studies. Bright colours shined through the room as the light bounced off the bright landscapes and I realised I might just get into College!

-Clearly, you have a passion for Art. Once again, Colleges look for something new and bright. You have showed me that here. Pointilism has practically disappeared and frankly, im sick of "modern art" but your abstract dance studies are quite nice!

-Thank you sir, I worked hard.

-Here's the thing, RISD and RBC are quite different considering your art styles. RISD might like your pointillism and illustrations. But RBC would for sure be interested in your portrait studies and your good science grades.

I thought back to my mom and how she wanted to be proud of my grades. Considering my "bad" grades, I was sure that my mom would be proud of me if I got into a college because of my grades and not just my art, which she thought distracted me from "real" school.

-I am grateful for your feedback and I will talk with my parents about this. Thanks to you I think I will choose RBC

-No problem sweetie, good luck!

As I opened the door and left the room, I realised, my parents are gonna kill me if I tell them my grades weren't good enough for Columbia. I packed my stuff and almost fell asleep through my last hour of class, science.

-Sarah!

-huh? what?!

-Whats the answer?

I looked at the board and read the question out loud. I answered correctly and my science teacher, Mr. L smiled warmly. He had always been my favourite teacher, and probably will be. Of course, I Think im his favourite student, since he never lowers my behaviour grade.

-That is correct Sarah, but try to get some more sleep ok? 

-Yes of course, sorry

I looked down at my notebook and thought about how lucky I was to have gotten his class. Then, as I was about to look back up at the board where mr. L was explaining meiosis a note flew into my lap.