33343 leters

When Yuma got to the table the next morning the mail had already arrived and both girls had some letters waiting on them. That was normal this time of year, between the college letter and the actives that were getting started, for all it was a month until the semester break. Yuma got to her place and shook her head a bit, at least she didn’t have the pink and yellow envelopes that Tulip did. Only to see that she did have one yellow one, well at least it was just one. It was better than freshmen year, now more of them knew her, not just that she was an Archer, and so knew that she wasn’t one for teas and gossiping about boys, hair, makeup or whatever was the latest fad. That she was unlikely to know a television star from a singer unless they were decades old or were somehow related so a medical story. It had upset Tulip until she found that it didn’t take away any of her invites or set her on the outside as well. Now she is willing for me to be there as she can get credit for having to deal with me. Yuma sat down and then started looking at the letters.

There was only two innovations, she opened the one in the white envelope first, and relaxed. It was from Sammy to her birthday event, and she had put in a note saying that she was sure that Yuma would be far too busy to make, so not to worry about it. Yuma had to smile and she set it aside, she would send a gift with Tulip, of course but would mail a card letter today apologize for having to miss the party.  She then picked up the yellow one and turned it over, only to drop it in shock. That was the presidential seal. Just why? It was not. Her family was Government, but they stayed out of the National juggling, so why was this. Wait, this was her last Season as a minor, so. Crap how could have she forgot the graduate ball? That is what this was. “I forgot all about the graduation ball. I have to go this year, well looks like I am going to have to make a trip to the mall after super. I can’t believe I forgot that. At least there is plenty of time to have something ready.” She picked the envelope up and carefully opened it. Relived to see that is was just that invitation and nothing any more shocking. Still that was bad enough, as it had come under the presidential seal, so it would be a big deal, he seldom attended the Seasons after the opening day, but this said that he would be there. She slowly read the invitation and then coughed. “Um, it seems as though the first Family will be staying for the Season, and will host the ball this year.”

Tulip had came down and nodded. “So Dan said, he called a bit ago that is why I’m late. Just how do you know? Oh that’s right, I still can’t believe you did that. So you taking Joe, or someone else? You know you need an escort. I am so glad that I don’t have to be there, Dan is able to get out of the gradation ball, for all they will be here. His Uncle agreed that it wouldn’t be right where he graduated last year, so it could be seen as imposing on the point of the ball, or something like that. However having them here means even more events to try and work in somehow. It is going to be a long month, no wonder they are starting now. What are you planning for your dress? It must be a new one, of course, nothing seen before will do for any of the big balls.” She was looking a bit worried, as her sister did tend to be a bit to sloppy at times. Having the first family here was a big deal, one she was glad not to have to deal with. Yet Yuma didn’t seem near as upset as should be. Just why did they have to attend this year, why did her sister mess up so? At least there will be space if she messes it up to badly, it shouldn’t come back on me. As long as I am on point it should be survivable. Hopefully she and I will most be at different events, after all she will have to be seen at more of the adult events than the junior, and she did say that she would be sent as the clinic’s rep.

Yuma smiled a bit, knowing where her sister’s thoughts went. “I completely forgot about this one, so I will be going to Everton’s after supper and letting him know. Likely he already has plans for four more gowns then I thought to ask for, but still best to make sure. With the family staying, I had best add a few more normal dresses as well just to be safe. I should be covered but it won’t hurt. There will be a lot of events around graduation, so any I don’t use now I will then.” Tulip shook her head a bit. “I know that it isn’t a dress shop you use, but he will know what is needed and how to do it in a way that I can stand to wear it. I would never make it a night in a number of the dresses you have worn. I just am not as graceful as you are, I need something that can stand up to me.” She picked up another envelope and looked puzzled.

Tulip said. “The dress you get from there have all been fine. I just don’t understand putting aside dresses to use letter. They are going to out dated by then, you will look frumpy.”

Yuma said. “I can’t see why it matters if the dress is a few months old, it is still a new dress. I am never going to care about trends, just as you are not going to care about test tubes. You know it might just be for the best, I mean just think of how bad it would be if you had to deal with me at the events. This way there will be space, so no one will tell you to look at your crazy sister.”

 Tulip nodded a bit, as she had thought the same, for all she never would have said it. Yuma laughed causing them all to look at her. “I have been accepted to Stanford medical school, without ever applying to it. How in the world? I have never heard of such a silly thing as accepting an under grad into the medical school. Worse I am not even a high school graduate yet. I. this has to be a mistake. I do wonder if their computers were hacked or something. This is imposable. I mean it the Medical school, not the pre-med program, which would be odd enough, but Medical school, pending completion of any bachelor of science degree, which they are sure I will have with ease in two years. Of course I will be welcome to attend any course I wish, and they will gladly let me double major should I wish.” Her father looked at her, she held the letter out. “See for yourself. It has to be a joke, and I am going to call them. They need to know and see if any other ridiculous offers got sent out.” She took up another envelope. “Well at least it can’t be any worse than that one.” Still she hesitated a bit before opening it. Not sure she wanted to. It was to big to know. Just from the size of it she knew that she had been accepted to the school at least. She slow opened it and took the letter out, feeling the others at the table watching her. She read the letter shaking a bit, for it wasn’t a form letter. “I have been accepted to Oxford, they say that they will take care of all the paper work for the needed visas, and that they really hope I will choose them. That as talented as I am they now I have a lot of offers to consider but they are going to do all they can to be the one I pick. To that end I can expect a good deal of mail from them, and they will be asking the Ambassador, who happens to be one of their alumni, to speak to me on their behalf. Not only were they delighted with my test scores they want to see more free exchange between our lands and see this as a good start.” She shook her head a bit. This was going to get bad, it was a very good offer, almost to good to say no to. “They add that they realize the traditional dorm would be problematic as they do have a school for mages on campus and those students are expected to practice. Therefore they have approved me for the apartments, for all they are held for graduate students normally. Housing has sent me a package containing details on all of them I just need to pick the one I think would be best. Should there be more questions I will find full contact information for the department heads and the director of housing in the enclosed papers detailing the course they offer, and the departments that are granted me entrance, they do hope that I will consider a double major, at least as there is no shortage of programs that want me. It is insane. I wonder if they put the test results in here? Yet maybe I don’t want to see them. I do hope that they included the dorms as I wonder just why they felt they would be a problem. However that will have to keep for now. I am going to put them in my bag. I think it will help if I am seen looking them over or am I wrong?”

Tulip said. “No, you had best be seen looking at them, and talk over the offer loudly. It will be a good distraction, and that way they will be prepared for it, when it becomes official. Not that they shouldn’t be, but some won’t believe it until it is in the year book.”

Vern said. “What you cant mean you expect her to go to that den? It is preposterous that she even applied to it. I will agree it will cause a bit of welcome distraction, but to truly think of going! Surely you will not let that happen. This has gone to far as it is. It is gad enough that some of the boys are going to brave that den. None of the girls should even consider putting themselves out in such a fashion.”

Yuma said. “I have not made a choice, but Oxford is now in my top three. I am not sure that I will be able to turn it down. I am scared of it, of going there, of what I might learn. However the value of the experience is also important. We have been so closed that there are discoverers I will never hear about if I don’t go. They are asking me to double major, the others grudgingly say it might be posable. I want both history and Medicine. I am going to be a doctor, that is not up for debate, but I also enjoy history and wish to study it as well. They seem eager to let me. Making it harder to turn down. I have a lot to consider, I am not saying I am going there. I am saying that I am not rejecting the offer. Even if I am Female and not male I still have the right to go to the school I wish to. There is no more harm in it for me then for the others. My gender isn’t a factor to consider!”

Samuel said. “I have said that my children are all free to choose the school they will attend and I mean it. Be it a state school, a two year community school or a University in England. I trust them to pick the school that is the best fit for them, no matter where it is or if it is what I would pick. I don’t care for the thought of any of my children going over there, but I will not stop them. Should they find that life there suits her better, for any reason, that will change nothing, they will be welcome here as long as she is willing to keep the rules of this Nation when here. I will not make the choice for any of them. It is not mine to make. Gender has no role in education limits. It shouldn’t even be in the equation, all have the right to same education no matter birth. Now then none of you need to be late, so go on and get out of here before you are. Remember your duties. There is going to be a lot of upsetting talk in the next few days, please relay anything that you find troubling. If you don’t think that the staff responds right tell me or your Mother. It is better that things get checked out, even if it was just talk. There are going to be a lot of upset people. I hate to put it on you, but for this we need all the eyes we can get.”