Chapter 1 Dynasty

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• PRESENT DAY, NEW JERSEY
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• ~ Zoie’s POV ~
• Thump. Thump. Thump.
• Zoie’s heart was pounding as she pressed the enter button on her laptop. The screen in front of her was loading her application status to Stanford University. Behind her was the bookshelf and it had all sorts of Stanford flags, mugs, stickers, and toys. Her purple-blue eyes stared deeply into the screen as her finger fidgeted and twirled around her dark-brown hair, a nervous habit. And suddenly, the message appeared.
• Congratulations! We are pleased to inform you that your application has been accepted to Stanford University---
• “Aaaaahhh!!” Zoie screamed at the top of her lungs, unable to hold the excitement back. She was jumping up and down her seat. The entire room shook with her. “Oh my God! I got in! I got in!”
• Zoie’s three older brothers had just woken up since it was only eight thirty in the morning. They heard the commotion coming from her room and made a beeline over.
• “Is it college acceptances already?” Zane asked, yawning and scratching his head.
• “Where’d you get in?” Zander, his twin, followed right behind.
• “Stanford! I’m going to Stanford!” Zoie ran to give her brothers a hug, but they just looked at her quizzically. She then ran back to grab her laptop, almost stumbling over her bags and clothes scattered on the floor.
• Zane and Zander watched their sister with a suspicious look.
• “You’re actually smart enough to get in to Stanford?” Zane narrowed his eyes, cocking his head to the side.
• “I didn’t know you even applied there,” Zander added, crossing his arms.
• “Of course, I did! You guys know Stanford’s my dream school,” Zoie was now grabbing a Stanford hoodie from her closet and putting them on. The laptop was in her hand.
• “Yeah, but I thought you were joking about that,” Zane said.
• “Dad clearly said nowhere further than fifty miles from here,” Zander reminded her.
• Zoie let out a big eye roll. Her dad, the almighty Mr. Damon Van Zandt, was the mayor of Jersey City for three consecutive terms. After which, he went on to run for Governor and he won that position too two years ago. Needless to say, he was a feared and powerful man. Not to mention that he had friends everywhere, long before his days as a mayor even began.
• Growing up, Zoie was never lacking in the love department. Her mom, Violet, was the best mom and best friend she could ever ask for. Her older brothers, Zane, Zander, and Zach--- no matter how annoying-- were also extremely loving and protective of her. Her dad, however, can go a bit overboard with his affection. He was so protective of Zoie that he had bodyguards follow her everywhere, even through kindergarten and grade school.
• Damon had such a hard time trusting anyone that Zoie was never allowed to have friends outside of their bubble. He had to know where she goes, who she’s with, and what she’s doing at all times. For the last eighteen years, that was how she lived her life. So, when the chance to go away for college came around, Zoie was desperate for a change. Even though they were living in an affluent neighborhood in New Jersey and there were plenty of good schools on the east coast, she only had her eyes on one school: Stanford in California. Thousands of miles away from here.
• “Guys, for four years, this is all I’ve worked for," Zoie said as she stood at the doorway, pushing her brothers to step back. “I don’t care what daddy says, I’m gonna go to Stanford---”
• “You should care,”
• Suddenly, a stern voice was heard. Zoie and her brothers turned to see Zach, their oldest brother, walking down the hall. Even though it was still early in the morning, Zach was already dressed in his suit and tie. Zach was six years older than Zoie and he just graduated from an MBA program at Harvard. He came back home this summer to start an internship at a famous law corporation. Out of all her brothers, Zach was the one Zoie feared the most, and not only because he was the oldest. It was more of the vibe. Zach gave off Damon vibes. He not only looked a lot like their dad, but he spoke, dressed, and acted like him too. He was pretty much a mini version of their dad.
• Zach stood tall in front of Zoie and stared her down. Zoie swallowed hard.
• “He’s not gonna be happy when he hears this,” he said, flicking a finger on her forehead.
• “Ouch!” she squealed and pushed him away.
• “And he’s gonna say no,” Zach continued, walking past her and heading to the stairs.
• “We’ll see about that!” Zoie yelled with a pout. She didn’t want to give up so easily. This was the moment she had been working for all these years. She was absolutely prepared. Which was why she was dressed in Stanford clothing from head to toe. She wanted to make a statement, letting her dad know how much this means to her.
• Giving out one last glare to Zane and Zander, she said, “You guys’ll see, he’s gonna say yes to me!”
• Zoie stomped out of their way and headed for the stairs. Zane and Zander shared a look and shrugged.
• “Geez, it’s cause she’s a girl, she gets away with everything!”
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• - - - - - To be continued - - - - -