Eli chooses not to disclose the rejection letter to his parents due to several reasons:
Lack of seriousness from parents: Eli perceives that his parents may not take his emotions and disappointment seriously if he tells them about the rejection. He might fear that they will not understand the impact of the news on his feelings and aspirations.
Fear of disappointing parents: Eli is concerned that revealing the rejection will disappoint his parents, as they might have had high expectations for him to get accepted into Whitehill. Keeping the rejection to himself may be an attempt to shield them from potential disappointment or feeling responsible for his setback.
Desire to attend Whitehill: Eli strongly desires to attend Whitehill, and he might be unwilling to give up on that dream just yet. By not sharing the rejection, he may still hold onto hope that there is a chance to find a way to get into his preferred school.
Alternative acceptance: Eli might have been accepted into another school as a backup option. In this case, he may feel more at ease not revealing the rejection to his parents, knowing he has an alternative plan in place.
However, by choosing not to disclose the rejection to his parents, Eli risks missing out on potential support, guidance, and understanding. Communicating openly with his parents could provide emotional comfort and allow them to assist him in exploring other options and finding a positive way forward. By sharing his feelings and concerns with his parents, Eli may receive valuable encouragement and practical advice, helping him navigate through this challenging situation with their support.