Last month, I received the news I had been dreaming of—I was accepted into my top-choice college. The excitement was overwhelming, like winning the lottery. But the celebration quickly faded when my stepsister announced she had also been admitted to an elite university abroad.
That evening, my stepmom hugged me gently but delivered words that crushed me: they could only afford to pay for one college, and the priority would be my stepsister’s education overseas.
I couldn’t stay silent. “So I just sit home and wait for scraps? Is that fair?” I asked, my voice breaking. My stepmom avoided my gaze, murmuring about limited savings and “family obligations.”
The hurt was deep, but instead of giving up, I made a different plan. I started applying for scholarships, financial aid, and part-time jobs. I reached out to mentors, teachers, and even organizations that support students with limited resources. Slowly, opportunities began to surface.
Though the rejection from my family stung, I realized something powerful: my future doesn’t rest in their hands. I’ll carve my own path, fueled by resilience and determination.
