Froggy-Kiss-U: 2011

When did I realize that Kyra and I were different? Was it when I first spent the night at her house when we were in third grade? No...How about that time she received all of the academic and citizenship awards in school? I don't think so...So...when we entered high school?
But, I don't think you'd want to know why we were so different; at least, I don't want to tell you. I think it would be better if you found out why we were the same in the first place. --Nikki

When It Rains, It Doesn't Rain in the Same Condition

The talk about college has been known to succeed the entrance of high school. Well, there is always talk of college, but it becomes more persistent in high school: not only parents are talking about it, but it seems as if everyone is talking about it.
This Saturday was no exception to have a nice family breakfast and a nice family talk about college. Especially since the eldest Smith child--Nicole--was going to start attending Penton Hills' High come Monday.
Colin Smith--the forty-five year old father of the Smith siblings--started the conversation off with a light topic: "Have you gotten all of your supplies, Nik?"
Nik smiled while going through the topic of supplies. "Ten pens, ten pencils, three erasers, two red pens, six notebooks...I think I have everything."

Little Michael earnestly watched his sister and his father. "I've got everything too, Dad." Mike was going to start seventh grade on Monday as well.
"Oh, then you'll go to high school, and everything'll start over again." Jane smiled, attempting to recall Nik's first days at Penton Hills' Intermediate School.

"Yes...and then there's college," Colin began.
Nik rolled her eyes. "Yes, Dad. College."
"You've got to get serious. You know, I was talking to Jon yesterday and he says that Kyra is already looking at colleges. When will you get serious?"
"I-I am serious."
"You know, I have a friend who has a son that can help you..."

"If I try to remember...I think he's a senior this year." Colin began to mumble as he took another bite of his oatmeal. "Yes, I think his son's a senior..."
"Dad, it's fine. I've been trying my best, and you know it."
"Oh, which reminds me, I haven't asked you what classes you're taking," Colin admitted. "So, what classes are you taking?"
Nik slowed down her eating. Her face darkened. "...W-well..." She started off with a nervous laugh. "Can you believe it? All of the honors classes were filled!"

Colin didn't budge. "I'd rather hear the truth."
Nik sighed. "…I didn't pass the admitting test."
Colin nodded. "Hm. I knew. I got the letter."
"Oh..."
"It's okay, Nik. Just try your best. You know, in my day, I didn't pass anything." Jane looked at Nik, then at Colin. "Right, Colin?"
Colin slowly nodded. "I guess so." In a few moments, he was back to normal. "Just as long as you know what you're doing. So, are you and Kyra in any classes?"
Nik stiffened. She gave a weak attempt of a smile.

"Well, she's in all honors...so...we don't see each other at all."

After picking up her favorite pen and blank notebook, Kyra began to let her imagination transfer into her fingertips. Through the pen, her main characters were transported into a reality where the complications of life followed the characters like a shadow.

Of course though, she wouldn't ever be able to let the real reality know this side of her. Especially since her father was the head surgeon and her mother was one of those CEO's that everyone has to bow down to. So, she was destined to be someone famous...she had to be forced to live up to that.

"Kyra! Breakfast!" her father--Jon Lee--called out. "Omelets!"

Kyra set down her pen and book and climbed down the spiraling stairs into the dining room. She passed by her father, serving the omelets.

"That looks good," Kyra commented. If it's one thing her father knew how to do, it was cooking. "Where's Ma?"

Upon hearing her daughter's inquiry, Vivian Lee responded from the adjoining office from her bike. "Here!" she shrilled.

Vivian finished her exercises and joined her family for breakfast...well, somewhat of brunch rather than breakfast.

Like the Smith family, the Lee family started talking about college.

"After school on your first day, I'll pick you up a little later than usual. I want you to go talk to your counselor right away, understood?" Vivian asked.

Kyra nodded.

"Understood?"

"Yes, ma'am."

An awkward tension quickly followed. The scraping of the forks against the plates. The tension was so thick that it could've been turned into a solid.

Finally, Jon began a conversation.

"Are you going to join any clubs?"

Kyra looked at her mother--as if looking for permission to even mention any clubs that weren't college or community service based. Seeing her mother continue to eat her omelet, Kyra decided to answer her father.

"There's an art club and a sculpting club. I'm also thinking of joining the creative writing club."

"That sounds real good," Jon replied.

"But, you are joining key club, red cross, and the tutoring clubs, right?" All of the clubs her mother had mentioned included serious opportunities for community service.

Kyra slowly nodded her head. "Yes, ma'am."

Vivian nodded. "Just remember what you're doing. I don't want you to be messing around...remember where you come from. I only want what's best for you."

"...So, are you and Nicole in any classes together?" Jon asked.

Kyra shook her head. "No."

"Will you join clubs together?"

Kyra shrugged. "It's hard to explain..."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, I know that she does a lot of community service and she's been too busy to join many clubs. She's got that job at the animal shelter..."

"Well, she knows what she's doing with her life..."

Kyra knew that her mother was looking down on her again.

Jon sensed it too. "...Vivi..."

"Well, am I not right? This girl--our girl, Jon--only wants to write fairy tales! Whereas Nicole Smith--even though she's not exactly the best student or anything--she's trying to get into college. Lemme ask you, Kyra, do you want to go to college? Because, if you want to be an-an author, I don't think you'd need an education.'

"Vivian."

Kyra dropped her silverware and stormed out into the garden.

What was it about her mother? Why didn't she ever think that what Kyra wanted to be was good? Why wasn't she ever supportive?

Kyra understood that college was important...but, she why couldn't she become an author while attending college?

Her father came out and sat next to her. "Hey..." He knew that he couldn't comfort her. How could he, when he was also guilty to the fact that he wanted her to go to college too?

Kyra refused to say anything.

"Well...don't hold it against her. She's just too stressed out..."