#WritcoStoryPrompt3
I read it once, then twice. I wasn't imagining it - I had won the lottery!


I wanted to pinch my cheeks to see if I was dreaming but the pain told me I wasn't dreaming at all.

Staring at the paper in my hand, I squealed with joy. I won the fucking lottery of a lifetime. Probably used all of my good luck from my entire life but who cares, this is a once of a life time opportunity!

I ran into the kitchen where my family were and showed it to my mom. She read the contents and her eyes lit up. A huge smile fell on her lips as she grinned at me, pride flowing from her brown eyes.

"Congratulations honey! I knew you could do it."

"What happened?" My dad asked. He read the paper which my mother handed over and a similar grin broke into his face.

"Alright! That's my girl."

Impatient, my younger brother grabbed the paper.

"Come in, it's not like she won some cash."

"Even better." I grinned.

He read the paper and his jaw dropped.

"You got in." His voice faint.

"Heck yeah, I did!" I laughed out loud.

"I'm going to the greatest school in the entire world as a foreign exchange student!" I squealed again.

"Well congrats, sis. I'm happy for you." He smiled.

"Aw, thanks. I promise to bring back souvenirs when I come back."

My brother's eyes sparkled. "Really? Then let me think about it."

"Sure. Just write it to me when I go there."

"When's the date?" My mom asked.

I read the letter again. "A week from today. All the selected students will gather at the airport and we'll take a plane abroad to our destination."

"Then we'll drop you off at the airport when its time."

"Thank you mom and dad! I've got to start packing. I need to prepare everything!" I rushed up to my room and got out my luggage.

My phone rang. I saw who the caller was and answered it.

"Mia, guess what just happened today."

At the same time, Mia's excited voice overlapped with mine.

"Anne, you can't believe what just came in the mail today."

We both paused.

"You received a letter?" Mia asked.

"I did."

"The letter?" She emphasized. We both knew what we were referring to.

"Yes. You too?" I asked excitedly.

"Yes."

We both suddenly squealed.

"Oh my god! I can't believe it. We both got in."

"I get to go to the greatest place in the world with my best friend! This is going to be so much fun!"

We excitedly started to talk and make plans. We talked on the phone until it was late at night.

And in a flash, a week went by and my parents were dropping me off at the airport. I had everything packed in my luggage and carried a carry on bag for my important essentials.

Mia and the other selected students were waiting by the airport lobby. She waved me over and we hugged each other excitedly.

The guide, a middle aged woman, introduced herself as Ms. Cox. She had the plane tickets ready and seeing that everyone was accounted for, led us to the airport gate.

Seven hours later, we arrived in London and took a train into the busiest looking station I've seen. Swarms of people walked so rapidly, it was easy to get lost if you weren't too careful. I could feel the vibrations of the people going to their destinations and the running trains thay went to and fro their stops.

Finally, we arrived at our destination near platform Nine and Ten. Ms. Cox turned around and addressed all of us.

"Remember don't look nervous and keep moving forward no matter what."

"Yes, Ms. Cox." We answered.

She nodded and one by one, the students disappeared between Nine and Ten. When it was my turn, my heart started to beat wildly. This was it. The moment I had waited for. I took a deep breath and glanced at Mia who was behind him.

She grinned at me reassuringly. I grinned back.

"See you on the other side." I said, before pushing my luggage strolley toward the brick wall. I closed my eyes in anticipation. There was a whoosing sound. I opened my eyes and felt estatic as I saw the famous sign hanging overhead. A scarlet train waited in a platform and behind me was an iron archeway with the words Nine and Three Quarters on it.

I had done it. I went to where the others were grouping together. Mia appeared shortly.

She took in the sights. We grinned like a couple of lunatics. And as we grinned, a voice from the overhead speakers spoke.

"Now boarding, Hogwarts Express."