My Identity Was Stolen

spering, plotting their next move, recalibrating their strategy now that

ake anything that could be tracked. I walked out the back door, my heart a steady

or. The receiver felt cold and heavy in my hand. I dialed the main number for Northwood Universit

, a polite voice answered, "Admissions

even. "I need to speak to someone i

I ask what this

"I need to report a c

se. "Alright. And wh

oment. The poi

clearly. "My nam

r of a keyboard in the background. "Sarah Miller... the valedic

I confirmed. "An

belief and confusion. "Ms. Miller, this is a very

a guilty conscience breaking down. "I can' t live with it anymore. I cheated. I had someone else take

A simple retraction might be dismissed as a prank or a moment of insanity. A full-blown, detailed confession of

ce now laced with professional caution. "If this is true, your admission will be rescin

oice crack. "I deserve it. I ju

very seriously. We will have to open a formal investigation.

nefiting from this fraud is having a party to celebrate my scores tonight. At my family' s hom

fessing; I was giving them a live spe

rol' s voice came back, firm and decisive. "Understood. A un

whispered, and

oked exactly the same, but everything had changed. I had just set

in the backyard. A florist was arranging huge bouquets of lilies in the foyer. And in the middle of it

nto Northwood. Yes, the party is tonight. You h

oking completely at home, baski

er. In my past life, this sight would have shattere

it lasts, Emi

come to a very public