After Class

Chapter 2

I stared down the computer only two weeks later. 

I'd gotten into the grad program that I had wanted. 

And I'd gotten the job. 

Two things that I had secretly wanted for so long were real, they were right in front of me. Cafeteria cook and grad student, what a title. 

My hands shook as I tried to decide what to do first. Should I plan out my first semester of classes? Should I text Edward or Leigh or Kayden? 

My mom, I should probably tell my mom first. I stood up, stepping out of my room and peeking into the office just around the corner. My mom sat at her desk, reading glasses on the tip of her nose, typing something up for Right to Life. 

I stepped in, not saying anything until she was done. She pulled off her glasses and turned towards me, "Hey, what's up?"

"I got into grad school." Her smile lit up before I could finish, so I rushed on, "And I got the job in the caf." 

Mom smiled even wider, "Good. That's so good." She stood up, hugging me tightly, "That means you have to find an apartment." 

I nodded, "And roommates. And I have to schedule classes again. There's so much to do now."

Mom laughed, "It's exciting." I darted back into my room for a moment to get my computer so I could show her the emails. Together the two of us followed the guide to line up what classes I could take first. 

Then she jumped, "Oh dear, I have to leave for work soon!" She stepped over me and frantically started to get ready. I just kind of laughed, realizing that once again I was going to be uprooted. 

I texted Edward first, asking if he actually was down to get an apartment. Then I walked through the list, Leigh needed to know because she was still at the school. Kayden still lived there so she would want to know. Then I texted Amy since she was only a junior and I could annoy her for two more years to come. 

I giggled at the responses. Leigh was brilliant. She never once bashed me for getting a job or working towards yet another degree at this school.... despite that we both knew it was rocky waters ahead there. Kayden gave a noncommittal answer, probably hoping I wouldn't ask to get an apartment with her. Amy of course was just excited that I would still be around next year. 

And then there was Edward. He was already apartment shopping. And he'd managed to rope in Holly to live with us. Surprisingly, everything was falling into place. 

I set my phone down and sighed, glancing around the house I grew up in. True, there were good memories here. But there were also reasons that I wanted to leave. I sighed, it was one thing to leave every fall to go to school, yet always know you'd come back in the spring. It was another story entirely to be moving out and finding an apartment. 

A little twinge of fear nipped at me, but I pushed it away. Other people did this all the time... so could I.