Their Wonder Years: Fall 98

Chapter 191: Mia’s Masterplan

“Let’s do this,” Mia said, her voice bright, sincere. “Let’s be that kind of family. One that’s messy and honest and joyful. That talks. That hugs. That gets through things together.”

Marisol nodded, eyes shining. “We already are.”

Mia had never felt more cherished… or more called out.

She was still curled between her sister and Sarah, their limbs lazily draped over each other like sunbathing lions. The laughter had quieted, replaced by something gentler. More focused.

A kind of collective determination. The kind Mia usually reserved for winning prom queen or finishing her calculus worksheet five minutes before class.

But this was different. This was life strategy.

And it was all for her.

“Okay,” Marisol said, suddenly sitting up and tying her hair into a quick bun. Her voice took on that tone Mia knew too well - the same tone she used when studying for finals or dealing with nonsense. “Let’s be real. We have two months. Maybe less.”

Sarah straightened beside her. “Two months to get her into Georgia Tech. With either a merit scholarship or enough planning to apply for grants.”

Mia blinked. “Wait-two months? I thought-”

“You want to apply for the regular decision, right?” Sarah asked gently.

Mia nodded. “I didn’t want to rush anything. I mean, early application deadlines are basically this week-”

“Exactly,” Marisol said. “You missed early admission. But that’s fine. It gives us until the second of January for regular.”

Mia let out a breath. “Okay. That sounds… doable.”

“But,” Sarah continued, holding up a finger, “it’s only doable if we lock it in now. We need a roadmap.”

Mia sat up properly now, sensing the shift in energy. Her top slipped off one shoulder, but she didn’t bother fixing it.

“Alright,” she said softly. “Tell me what I need to do.”

Marisol gave a warm smile but didn’t sugarcoat it. “You’ve already got a lot going for you. Good grades, killer extracurriculars, AP classes, leadership roles. Your cheer captain status, drama club, community volunteering - all that matters.”

Mia nodded. “But?”

Sarah took over. “Your SATs.”

Mia winced. “I know. I got a 1410 on my first try.”

“That’s solid,” Marisol said, “but if you want to even be considered for a full Georgia Tech scholarship, you need at least a 1500. Ideally 1520+.”

“I can do it,” Mia said, though her voice sounded more like a question than a vow.

“You will do it,” Sarah said firmly. “With our help.”

“And probably more orgasms,” Marisol smirked.

“Probably,” Mia laughed nervously.

They smiled, but the tone remained clear: this wasn’t a game.

Sarah leaned over and pulled a yellow legal pad from the coffee table drawer. “Okay. Let’s list everything.”

She wrote MIA’S GT MASTERPLAN across the top.

Mia swallowed hard.

SAT Retake – Dec. 2nd“That gives you three full weeks more to prep,” Sarah said. “We’ll get practice tests, a schedule, and track progress. You already know everything - it’s just about honing your skills.”“Bharath will handle most of your math review,” Marisol added. “He’s brutal but fair.”“I’ll work on reading and vocab with you,” Sarah offered. “Test your writing strategy too.”AP Exams – May, but“You need to finish all assignments, labs, and projects cleanly this semester to qualify,” Marisol said.“Which means no missed classes, no late work,” Sarah added. “Today’s an exception, but that’s it.”Mia nodded slowly, her stomach tightening.

College Application – Jan 1 Regular Decision“You need to finish your college essays by the first week of December,” Sarah said. “So we can review and edit it twice.”“Do not rely on your English teacher,” Marisol added. “We’ll be better editors.”“You’re only applying to two schools, right?” Sarah confirmed.“Georgia State as backup. Georgia Tech as target,” Mia said. 

They nodded.

“You need at least two from teachers,” Marisol said. “Math or science for GT. English or history for balance.”

“And one from your counselor,” Sarah added. “That’s three total.”

“I’ve already asked Ms. Donaldson,” Mia said. “She agreed.”

“Good,” Marisol nodded. “Make sure she’s aware of your leadership, volunteering, and that you’re aiming for a CS major.”

Sarah looked up. “You’re doing computer science?”

Mia hesitated. “Yeah. Bharath… inspired me.”

Both girls smiled.

“You’ll crush it,” Sarah said.

“We’ll help with FAFSA,” Marisol said. “And Sarah’s great with writing plans for grant applications.”

“We’ll have essays ready just in case,” Sarah said. “Better to prepare early than scramble later.”

“You need to keep Mama happy,” Marisol said. “Visit home every day unless you can be with us. Be present. Help out.” 

“This cannot feel like rebellion,” Sarah added. “It has to look like focus.” 

Mia nodded again, eyes wide.

“Sleepovers twice a week max,” Marisol said. “Weekends only until December,” Sarah added.

“No staying over if you have a major test the next day.”

Mia made a small noise - a cross between a sigh and a squeak. “You guys sound like a PTA meeting.”

“We’re your harem mothers now,” Marisol grinned.

“Discipline and devotion,” Sarah added with a wink.

Mia stared at the list. Her stomach fluttered.

This was real.

This was the price of the future she wanted.

“I didn’t realize how much it all was,” she said quietly.

“It’s a lot,” Marisol said gently. “But you’re not alone.”

Sarah reached out and held her hand. “We’ll do it together.”

Mia felt her throat tighten.

Not out of fear.

But out of love.

She looked at these two women - so powerful, so intelligent, so grounded - and felt something shift deep inside her.

This was more than lust. More than romance.

This was sisterhood.

Mentorship.

A sacred bond wrapped in humor and affection and spreadsheet-level precision.

“You’re not just my sisters,” Mia whispered. “You’re my heroes.”

Marisol’s expression softened. Sarah smiled, eyes bright.

“We’re your family,” Sarah said.

Mia blinked back sudden tears.

“I want to earn it,” she whispered. “All of it. GT. Bharath. This family. You.”

“You already have,” Marisol said, pulling her in for a hug.

Sarah wrapped her arms around both of them.

And for a while, they just sat there.

Holding each other.

Planning a future that was suddenly very, very real.