Chapter 11

The drive back to Charlottesville is a typical road trip, except it seems to take forever. We’ve already gone through all our typical traditions—snacks, playlists, and games. We swapped drivers a few hours ago, and I worked on getting our project pictures cropped and inserted into our papers. There was one more week until the final versions were due, but ours were almost done.

After our trip to Atlanta, we perfected our diagrams and sent them for review. It only took two days before they were given approval. Since then, we worked a few hours each day preparing them. Tonight, they were going to Bill and Shana for last edits. This makes me more nervous than actually turning them in to Professor Grant.

“Have you spoken to Roxy?” Quinn asks, referring to the girl who stayed in our apartment this summer.

“Yes. The apartment’s clean, and my car is fine.”

“It feels like a lifetime since we left in May.”

“I know what you mean. So much has happened.”

“Have you figured out our plan yet?”

“What do you mean?”

“You’re our planner, so I need to know what’s next.” She raises an eyebrow and realization hits.

It was me who relocated us to Virginia and begged for our re-admittance.

It was me who suggested we try out for cheer.

It was me who wanted an off-campus apartment.

It was me who researched the Summer Expo and insisted she apply, too.

And now, it’s me who is engaged. She’s right. We need a plan.

“Why don’t you jump in on this one? I’ve been pretty demanding.” I chuckle. “It’s your turn.”

“You’re the strategist in this relationship. I’m the better head-cracker.”

“Strategist, huh? Getting our college vocabulary ready?”

“Shut up, cadela, and plan the next step in our life. I need structure.”

“Seriously, Quinn, what do you want to do?”

“We technically fall under the School of Media Studies now. The way I figure, there’s no reason to rush graduation since we can’t start the Master’s Program until next fall. That is, if we still want UVA and the traditional schooling.”

“What do you mean?”

“We worked hard to get where we are with a goal in mind. But goals can change. Priorities change.”

“Are you asking if my priorities have changed?”

Her silence is my answer.

I nibble on my bottom lip and think hard. “No. They haven’t. They just include Bryce now.”

“Good, so tell me what’s next.”

“Is there something you’re not telling me?”

She sighs and exhales loudly. “Dean asked me to consider a Master’s Program at a school closer to Atlanta.”

“What did you say?” My heart stammers wildly against my chest.

“I told him I couldn’t. In the off-chance I don’t get accepted at UVA, that’s a different story.”

We sit in silence for a few minutes as her words sink in. I stare blankly out the window, twisting the ring around my finger. Selfishly, the rejection of his idea thrills me, but realistically, she’s making a mistake.

“I think you should reconsider,” I blurt out.

“You would. But my mind’s made up. I’ve already spoken to my parents, too.”

“What happens if I marry Bryce and have to move before we get through the program?”

She reaches one hand across the seat and clamps it with mine. “You’re not the reason I made the decision. Yes, you are a big part of it, but it’s what I want. This school, this program, the opportunities… they all mean a lot to me. It’ll suck ass if you’re not here, but I’ve made other friends. The professors are some of the best in the country. I’d be an idiot to let this opportunity slip by.”

“Remember what Shana told me. Opportunity doesn’t keep you warm at night.”

“I know. That’s why Dean has agreed that we’ll make adjustments for the two years it takes to get through.”

She stays quiet, drawing out the curiosity.

“Hooch! You gonna make me ask or spill it?”

“He’s going to put in a temporary transfer for a law firm in the area. He’ll have to look into the state bar, but he can move here until I finish.”

“Was all this discussed in Atlanta last weekend?” I refer to her most recent trip without me.

“It’s been a gradual discussion. At first, he was upset I wouldn’t consider applying anywhere else. I showed him our projects. Suddenly, he understood. When he saw the pictures of us in the gymnasium with the two Hungarian gymnasts, his whole demeanor changed. Then he read my piece on the pressure they felt to make the Olympic team and bring home a medal, and he got it.”

“Wow, so this is very serious then.”

“Yeah. I questioned why he’d uproot his life for a girlfriend.”

“What did he say?” I lean forward to see her face.

Her lips start to twitch, and then she smiles widely. “He said he wouldn’t be uprooting his life for his girlfriend. He said he’d be doing it to support his future wife.”

My heart stops then starts racing. I scream loudly, raising our attached hands.

“Oh my God! This is amazing.”

“We’ll see. We have a long way to go.”

“So, really, the whole ‘Devon, have you figured out a plan yet’ was a ruse to tell me you already made our plan?”

“Yes. We’re going to take normal semester hours and graduate next spring. No summer school. Then, we’re going to take the summer off. You may want to get married.” She winks coyly. “I’m thinking about moving to Atlanta for those few months to give it a trial run.”

“Holy shit. I can’t believe this.”

“Believe it, girl, because it’s happening.”

“You’re really good at this planning thing. Think I’m handing over the reins.”

“Hell no!”

I laugh, shaking my head. “I think we may be maturing.”

“You betcha, hooch!”

Another memory to lock in.