That number at the top of the screen

“I’m proud of you” is not something I hear often,

but I heard it at least 14 times today.

Ecstatic is not an emotion I feel often,

but after 4:27 this evening, that's all I felt.

Every morning when I wake up I check my texts,

They were the last thing on my mind until after I walked out of the testing center.

Celebrating is not something I do for myself,

but ice cream with friends after the last 4 months of studying, was the cherry on top!

186.

My heart stopped.

My eyes went black for a microsecond.

I stared at it for about a minute.

I couldn't believe it.

I passed!

I’m one step closer to my dream!

I didn't call my mom first, she came second.

With tears clouding my vision.

I've been trying to pass this test for a year.

I guess ‘third times a charm’ really does have actual meaning to it.

146

My last two scores. 4 points away from passing. Both. Times.

186- that's 20 over a 146 and 14 away from a perfect score.

But now I have to decide if math is the right course, with all the writing I’ve done, maybe English is the way to go.

It's funny how a small test can decide your future.

It's astounding how just a number can not only change your day, but affect every aspect of it.

That number at the top of the screen - it's going to open doors for me that have been closed for so long.

That number at the top of the screen - determines the teacher I become.

That number at the top of the screen - 186 - you just changed my life.