Chapter 4

I kept my plan a secret.

I threw myself into building my portfolio and maintaining a high GPA.

The prize money, combined with every cent I earned from my side hustles, barely covered the exorbitant exam and application fees.

Every other waking moment was spent in the library or the art studio.

Endless projects, an infinite list of vocabulary words, the dim yellow light of my desk lamp, and a future that felt increasingly out of reach made me have no time to think about anything else.

Emily would text me sometimes.

[Sophie, when are you coming home? We all…