The morning sun streamed through the thin curtains, painting the living room in golden hues, but no one seemed to notice.
The city outside was unusually restless—streets buzzed with chatter, cafés hummed with murmurs, and even the air carried an electric tension.
Today wasn't just any morning, it was the day the college entrance exam results were to be announced, the day that could change countless futures.
Inside the warm living room, the tension was just as thick. Stella sat cross-legged on the couch, a faint smile tugging at her lips. She looked oddly calm, in sharp contrast to her parents, who kept shifting in their seats. Her mother tapped her foot anxiously against the marble floor, while her father kept adjusting his glasses, checking the clock every few seconds as if time might speed up if he willed it.
"Mom, Dad," Stella said lightly, leaning back into the cushions, "please calm down. The result will be out soon. No need to be so flustered." Her tone was teasing but gentle, like she was trying to soothe them instead of herself.
Nick, sprawled casually on the armchair with his phone in hand, let out a low chuckle. "Yes, Mom," he said, smirking at his sister. "Even though she has a brain the size of a peanut, I'm sure she could clear this exam. Miracles do happen, after all."
"Nick!" their mother snapped immediately, glaring at her son. "Stop making fun of your sister."
Nick raised his hands in mock surrender, the smirk still plastered on his face, while Stella rolled her eyes, pretending not to be bothered. But her fingers tightened ever so slightly around the edge of a cushion.
"The result is out!" her father exclaimed, his voice breaking the heavy silence that had fallen over the room.
For a moment, no one moved. The ticking of the clock filled the stillness, as if the entire house had paused to hold its breath. Stella's heart skipped, but her calm expression never faltered. She looked at her father, waiting.
Finally, his lips curved into the widest smile she had ever seen. His eyes glistened as he announced, voice thick with pride, "My daughter… I am proud of you."
The words seemed to explode like fireworks. Her mother let out a choked gasp before rushing forward, enveloping Stella in a tight embrace. Her father joined, his strong arms pulling them all together. The air filled with laughter, relief, and joy.
Nick, trying to mask his own excitement, walked over and gave Stella a gentle pat on the head. "Well, looks like the peanut-sized brain had some hidden power after all," he muttered with a lopsided grin.
Stella giggled, pushing him playfully, but her eyes shimmered with happiness. She could feel the warmth of her family's pride wrapping around her, stronger than any blanket.
Just then, her phone buzzed. Hannah's name lit up on the screen. Stella hurriedly answered, her voice practically singing with excitement. "Hey, Hannah! What about you? Please tell me some good news—I can't celebrate alone!"
On the other end, Hannah chuckled, her laughter soft and familiar. "Sorry, Stella… looks like you'll have to spend another three years with me."
Stella's smile didn't falter. In fact, it grew brighter, her joy spilling through her voice. "Hannah. Who else could I survive with?"
Her mind drifted back to when she first moved to Lausanne. She remembered how lost she had felt—new city, new people. The world had seemed cold and unwelcoming… until she met Hannah. Hannah had been the first to reach out, the one who made Lausanne feel less like a maze and more like a place she could belong.
Now, as the cheers of her family filled the room and Hannah's laughter echoed in her ear, Stella felt something deeper than triumph. She felt rooted. She wasn't just celebrating a result—she was celebrating the people who had stood beside her, through fear, through struggle, through everything.