Excerpt: World of Chances

“I don’t know why you’re freaking out about this, Emmaline,” said Sarah as we sprawled out in the grass during our first break. “It’s a clear step-by-step process, so it’s not like you can do anything drastic.
“What do you mean?” I asked, sensing a one of Sarah’s crazy metaphorical stories coming.
“It’s like this. Imagine you’re a leprechaun.”
“Right, a leprechaun, because I’m short,” I said, smiling at Marisol who was trying to disguise her laughter as a cough. Sarah rolled her eyes.
“So, you’re a leprechaun, and you want to find your pot of gold. Except, instead of a pot of gold, in this case it’s you not getting into OA.” Sarah paused to stare at Marisol, who was picking through every blade of grass on the ground.
“Marisol, what are you doing?” I asked.
“I’m trying to find a four leaf clover.”
“Marisol, there’s not a single clover in this entire field!”
“That just means they’re hiding,” said Marisol crossing her arms. Sarah and I laughed. Marisol blushed.
“I’ll take your laughter as a compliment, but shouldn’t you be getting back to your story, Sarah?”
“Right, the story. So, you don’t want to get into OA, right?”
I nodded. “And I’m a leprechaun.”
“So, all you have to do is follow your rainbow.”
“What? I’m sorry Sarah you lost me at rainbow.”
She sighed, as if it should be obvious. “You know how there’s supposed to be a pot of gold at the end of every rainbow? Well, all you have to do is follow your rainbow. Take the EEPS, answer your essay questions, send in your application, and hope that you just don't get in.”
It made sense. It sounded promising, and could possibly save me from going insane during this whole application spiel. But it also sounded too good to be true.