"Valentina Herrera!"  I heard my name being shouted as I stood up and walked to the office. I was waiting to see if I could receive a sports scholarship for tennis, Stanford had given me an interview 2 weeks ago and had followed up today to inform me about possible qualifications and status. I tapped my thigh as I thought about external factors. My parents and family were outside waiting to see if I was gonna get signed, everyone back in Tijuana and San Diego were waiting to see if I was gonna get the chance to go to college.

"Come in!" I heard the sport admins voice. I opened the door as I walked into the office. "Good Morning Valentina, how have you been?" He asked as I smiled sitting down in the chair in front of him. "Perfect thank you." I replied as I placed my hands on my knees and fixed my posture. "So, we've been looking into your application, and let me get this straight, you've never been played a match in the United States, correct?" He asked as i nodded.

I used to only play tennis in Mexican championships because my father watched a match once where a Colombian girl was bullied off the court after beating the American on the other side. It happened decades ago, things had changed.  However, when I told him that tennis might get me into a good university for free tuition, he was on board with me playing in the United States. "Ok well we reviewed your application, and I'm sure you remember Tashi Duncan correct?" He asked as I nodded.

Tashi was another really good Tennis player, she was already accepted and ready for Stanford. I saw her in a match once where she yelled at her opponent and I was shocked to see how competitive tennis was here. When I had my first interview with Stanford, they told me their interest in me was to have be in a duos team with Tashi. I said yes right away and waited for a follow up with my possible team mate.

"Alright, we talked to Tashi and she doesn't wanna play in a duos team." He spoke. What the hell, this immediately crushed me, my heart dropped knowing that this had probably taken away my qualification for an athletes scholarship. "It's not personal, she just would rather stick solo." He continued as I nodded. "So, does this mean that I'm not qualified for the athletes scholarship." I asked as he rubbed his chin before grabbing a folder from his desk. "Technically yes, we already have a full tennis team and have sold enough scholarships." He spoke as my heart dropped ever further. Fuck. I was done for, I was gonna grow up and not go to college and not do anything good in life. "However, I was able to push the sports board, and have agreed to sign you up to our tennis team under a full ride athlete scholarship." He spoke as my heart dropped once  again but in a good way. "Seriously!?" I asked as my smile grew.

"Yes, congratulations and welcome Miss Herrera to Stanford." He spoke as I smiled once again and reached over to give him a hug. "Thank you so much, oh my gosh, thank you!" I spoke as he smiled before shaking my hand. "Orientation is next week where you'll move into your dorm,  get your classes and speak to your teammates for the first time." He spoke as he passed me folders and forms.