Bzzzt Bzzzt Bzzzt Tessa turned reluctantly and stretched her hand to the clock that sat on a bedside table and dismissed the alarm that disturbed her sweet sleep, as she rolled back into her sleeping position, she heard Racheal shouting out to her

" Tessa! Wake up!!"

They were neighbors and Tassa had left her window open so Racheal could wake her. Tassa buried her head in her pillow and continued her sleep

"Teeessaa!!" Racheal continued, knock knock

"Tessa wake up it's 7 am if you don't get up now you would be late for the Interview"

"Mommy go away, I have not slept enough" Tessa murmured a reply " ok now get up I would not have you lose your opportunity to go to a great University because of stupidity," her mother said impatiently she took off the blankets

" Mom, there is something like privacy you know".

" Girl go shower and get dressed, you see Racheal is all set, hurry up, breakfast is ready downstairs, better me down in five minutes".

Tessa was now awake, she got up and shouted over to Racheal " thank you, Racheal!!" As she closed her windows and blinds, she rushed into her bathroom, quickly brushed her teeth, then looked up into the mirror hanging on the wall. She was happy and a bit nervous. Very soon she would be in front of an interview panel for admission into her dream school to study her dream course, "you can do this Tessa, you have come this far, you can't be afraid now" she said to herself.

In no time she was downstairs at the dining table for breakfast. " Tessa, you're running late, what time is your interview?" "Good morning Dad, it starts at 8".

"Good morning, I am rushing off because I have an important meeting, go there early and make Daddy proud" as he kissed Tessa's forehead she felt a bit unhappy she wanted her father to be there with her " I will Dad, have a nice day". Ring Ring. Ring Ring. " Mom your phone" " oh thank you" as her mom answered the call she knew her mom too would not be there.

" Tessa honey, I am needed in the hospital right now"

" Mom, that's not fair, you promised" " I know, I know, I'm sorry honey, I will make it up to you, I have to go save a life". " Come so you go with Racheal, her Dad is dropping her off."

Tessa rushed a meal of waffles and milk as her mom went out to stop Rachael and her dad who were already driving off " Mr. Williams! Mr. Williams"

''Good morning, is everything okay?"

He was surprised at the way she ran out. " Oh yes everything is fine, I just need you to please take Tessa with you, I need to be in the hospital right now."

" Oh okay sure, Tessa got in at the back while Racheal sat in front" "Good morning Mr. Williams, hi Racheal"

"Good morning Tessa, you're for the same interview?" He asked as he drove off, Tessa's mother waved to them then got into her car and drove off on the opposite side of the road.

"Hello good morning, please we are here for the admissions interview", Racheal explained to a receptionist they saw as they ran into the building, Williams had wished them success and driven off.

"Lucky you, if you had been five minutes later you would have missed the interview, go on in both of you" as she pointed to a door that had a sign admission screening Tessa braced herself and looked at Racheal then they both chanted together " Everything is achievable if you work for it" as the holding hands, Tessa asked, " do you think we worked good enough for it?"

"Oh Tessa, do not doubt yourself now" Racheal replied. A girl came out of the interview room, looked at them, and left, then a soft voice from inside the room "next person please" Tessa's heart skipped as she got up, Racheal held her hand and went inside. Tessa's mind was not at peace, she kept wondering what kind of questions she would be asked, she desperately wanted to get in, and the university had a very high reputation and a 17% admission rate. In no time Racheal was out, Tessa looked at her countenance in a bid to know how tough it was, but she seemed indifferent.

The voice came out again with the same tone " next please" Tessa got up and murmured to herself "this is it, you can do it".

" Good morning" they all kept quiet and observed her for a moment.

It was a panel of four, three young gentlemen and an advanced lady. Then there was another very young lady who looked like a student. She was the one who ushered people in and called out for the next.

"Sit please" as she sat Tessa tried as much as possible to ease her nervousness.

" Tessa James?" "Yes ma'am"

"you have got excellent high school grades, with really high recommendations, but I think you are overrated" she paused for a moment and looked at Tessa through the Top of her reading glasses, Tessa was not sure if she should say anything, then she remembered what her mom said "don't sit until you're asked to sit, don't speak unless asked a question, stay redirect when answering any question. This was certainly not a question so she kept quiet.

The lady continued when she saw that Tessa did not speak, the other three gentlemen were just observing and writing. She brought out a paper and read it out.

" In addition to her academic prowess, she is well-mannered, punctual, and pursues any given task seriously."

" So tell me Miss James, are you not overrated?"

All four of them stopped what they were doing and faced her, This is a question Tessa thought, "No ma'am, I do not think was overrated"

"So you believe as a student you will meet up with what is expected of you?"

" Yes ma'am I know so "

" oh wow, she is very confident, one of these expectations is being punctual, and having respect for the time you must be an excellent time manager, but today your first day you came late, and your actions contradict your words and that of your referee, what do you have to say?"

Tessa thought for a moment then said,

"I am sorry I came late, any reason I give will just be an excuse, but I assure you I will live up to my expectations, coming late today was just a mistake and I am sincerely sorry."

" She assures me,(smiles a bit) with what you just said my first impression of you, is a young lady who comes late to a very important meeting like this and explains it away as a mistake, this institution will admit the top 13% of this year's applicants, why should we consider you Miss James? we have qualified candidates then we will accept"

Tessa took a deep breath " I watched my mother's younger sister die of cancer as a five-year-old since then I have had the vision to be a world-class doctor that will discover a lasting cure to some of these deadly diseases, I understood that it was not just about having a vision, I must, however, acquire the necessary skill and knowledge. The thirst for these skills led me to this great institution, not just for its excellent reputation but for its mission, which says 'To provide adequate value, knowledge, and skill-wise to visionary students and help them achieve their goals' I saw myself as that student."

Tessa felt light after speaking, she observed that all four of them were writing.

"Well said miss James, thank you for your time that will be all, you may go now."