Easy A+

Chapter 109

I found what I'd been looking for in myself
Found a life worth living for someone else
Never thought that I could be, I could be
Happy, happy

— Marina and the Diamonds, Happy

. . . .

The mood from the park had changed dramatically the second we stepped into the apartment complex. Lilly is nowhere near as chipper as she was at the playground, and now as she sits on the floor of my bedroom with her several dolls around her, and her bottom lip sticking out farther than her upper one, I feel my own mood begin to take the plunge.

Harry's not so far off either. He's folding his clothes back into his duffel bag with a frown on his lips and sadness in his eyes. Every now and then, he'll leave the room and come back in carrying some item of his to pack away into his bag. Once he has everything of his packed away, he starts on Lilly's little suitcase. Her tiny clothes only take up so much room in the main compartment, but it doesn't take him long till he's zipping the flap shut.

"Lil, when you're done playing, will you put your toys in your backpack, please?" He asks as he lies down on the bed and holds me close to his body, my head resting on his chest and his hands rubbing up and down my back underneath my shirt.

Her reply is just one long sigh, and Harry ruffles his hair from the stress. He kisses my neck softly, his hands pulling up my shirt further to where it's bunched up just above my bra strap. I know what he wants—just one more time before he leaves, and damn—do I want it too, but definitely not with Lilly awake and on the floor, even freely roaming around the apartment is a definite no. Nevertheless, his hands just slide under the clasp, but they stay there.

"Let me know how Oxford is when you get there."

"I'll let you know how my professors are, and if they even compare to your teaching skills. I'm sure it'll boost your ego."

"Oh, of course. Those Oxford professors have nothing on Carnell teachers," he says sarcastically.

"I know it's a joke, but don't doubt your teaching skills. Aside from being your girlfriend and only focusing on the student aspect of it right now, I thought you were a great teacher. I mean, learning about commas and the proper use of grammar can get a little redundant after learning it for however many years, but you made it somewhat interesting. And thank you for never reading something to us."

"I believe in the capabilities of students reading on their own. If they choose not to, then that's on them," he says and then stares off at the ceiling. He sighs and continues after a brief moment, "Damn, I hope I get this job."

"Have some faith in yourself. I didn't think I would ever be going to university before my dad came back. Now I'm going to Oxford all because of him."

"I think you're contradicting yourself there, love. You were a good student. I mean, you got a bad grade at the beginning of the year, but you worked your way up to a better one. Sure, I had a little bit of help with that at the beginning, and I'm not proud of that, but truthfully, and I don't think I ever told you this, but I only altered the grade of about three of your assignments."

"I thought you did more than that."

"I saw that you were gradually improving. It was a tough course, Vi, but you did 97 percent of that all on your own, and I'm proud of you."

"Thank you, Har."

"Why didn't you ever come to ask me for help? I would've helped you."

"I didn't know how to talk to you. I always got nervous around you."