Ocean State of Mind

The Letter

I opened my eyes slowly the next morning and looked up, seeing Ricky who was still asleep with his arms wrapped around me. I smiled and felt a tingling sensation I haven't felt in a long time swarming my stomach.

Butterflies.

When I looked back at Ricky's face, his eyes were closed and his curly hair was unruly and ever so slightly covering his eyes. Honestly, the man could use a haircut.

I took my finger and trailed it down his face, gently through his hair, over his lightly closed eyes, his cheeks, his collar bone and then his lips. I slowly traced the outside of them and then my finger stopped at the middle of his lips. Suddenly, his eyes opened and he kissed my finger. I gasped and pulled my finger away as Ricky laughed at me. "Were you awake this whole time?!" I asked laying back down and snuggling into his chest. "Yeah. I know, aren't I just such a horrible person? Not that I minded you feeling me up, Neens." Ricky said cockily, looking down at me making me blush.

"Oh hush you." I said, hitting his arm. "Ow! Actually I've been awake for a while now but I pretended to go back to sleep when you opened your eyes. I'm not going to lie, you're very cute when you're asleep." Ricky said making me blush even more. "Oh stop it. Come on, let's go make some breakfast!" I said getting up, pulling him up with me.

"Alright. What are you going to cook for me?" Ricky asked.

"Well, I-" I began but was interrupted by the doorbell. "Hold on." I said to Ricky before I ran to the door. "Oh, hey guys!" I said smiling at Gina and Red, giving them both hugs. "Hey girl! We got our shifts switched so Red and I figured we'd come over and check on you, and what in the world happened to your wall?" She asked as she walked in. "Hi Nini! I also grabbed your mail for you. You're welcome." Red said, handing me my mail before walking inside. "Thank you?" I said confused a little before closing the door.

I skimmed through the mail- bills, bills, and more bills. I threw the small pile onto the counter deciding to look through the rest of it later, but when I glanced down at it again, an envelope was sticking out that caught my eye. I grabbed the envelope and walked up stairs quietly making sure Red, Gina, and Ricky wouldn't hear me. I walked into what was Ej's office, and quickly ripped open the mail.

Dear Miss Salazar-Roberts,

On behalf of the Vancouver Academy of Music, we would be delighted to have you join our team of wonderful educators. We pride ourselves on being one of the top institutions in our province and know you will make an outstanding addition, if you choose to accept this offer. If you accept this offer, we would need you here as soon as possible. You have until Friday, July 30th to accept. We look forward to hopefully seeing you.

Sincerely,

Margaret DuPree
Dean

I looked at the letter in shock. I sent a job application to the Vancouver Academy of Music, an elite school for performers before Ej and I even made the decision to move to California, but I never heard back so I just assumed I didn't get the job. I would've jumped at this opportunity if I had just moved here since I wasn't a fan of Los Angeles, but now... now I have something that's worth being here for. Someone worth being here for.

I sighed, not knowing what to do.

"Gina? Can you come up here for a minute?" I yelled from upstairs. "Sure!" I heard Gina yell. I heard Ricky yell asking if I was okay and if I needed anything. "Um nope! It's just a girl thing! We'll be down in a minute!" I yelled back. I couldn't tell Ricky about this. Not until I make up my mind, because if I'm being honest, he'd be my only reason to stay. "Hey Neeners, what's going on?" Gina asked me as she came into the office.