I'm Fine

Chapter One - Bryson

January

I caressed the college-ruled page in my hand as I pondered where I am in life. I guess you could say things were going smoothly for me this year.

I finally became captain of the football and basketball teams. I'm doing great in my schooling, considering I loathe doing homework, and I have the most amazing girlfriend in the world.

"Hey, you." I hear her voice behind me as she enters my bedroom.

"This is a nice surprise." I imply as I shove my half-done homework off the bed to make room.

I questioned what day it was, hoping I didn't forget about our plans to meet up. After quickly checking the date on my phone, I noticed it was Wednesday. I felt some relief, knowing that we never plan to see each other on Wednesday nights because she typically has dance. Now my thoughts are revolving around the question, why was she not at her dance class?

I watched as she acknowledged the new spot I made on the bed. The light brown curls bobbed up and down as she made her way over and placed herself next to me.

"Yeah, your mom let me in. Is she baking cookies again?" She inquires as she pulls off her jacket and sets it down next to her. Before answering, I leaned over, caressing a stray piece of hair out of the way before planting a quick peck on her lips.

"Well, hello to you too." She blushes.

"Yeah, she's been doing that a lot lately. I don't know why I think it's because she's been watching this new baking show, so she thinks she can bake anything." I joke as I leaned back with my hands firmly placed on the bed.

"Oh, I would kill for a cookie right now. I haven't had sweets in...day, maybe weeks." Avery sighs. "Honestly, I don't even know what the day is anymore."

"It's Wednesday, speaking of which did you not have dance tonight?" I inquired, knowing full well that her parents wouldn't let her skip dance for anything.

"Oh yeah, they canceled the class tonight. The teacher had to check on a family member." She stated matter-of-factly.

"Oh, wow, is everything okay?" I shot back with concern.

"Oh yeah, apparently this family member is a little unstable so every now and then he goes down to check in on them. Honestly, I am happy tonight got canceled. I can feel my muscles screaming lately." She stated as she started to rub her neck, massaging out a sore muscle. I reached out and took over the tedious task of reminding her muscles how to relax.

"You need to take a step back this year; you're doing too much. You need to enjoy your senior year." I felt like I was telling her this almost every single day now.

"I know, I just want to make sure I don't miss anything. Everything we do in high school can either help us or hurt us in college." She said as she dropped her head into my hand as my fingers continued to caress her neck.

"Yeah, but you already got accepted into a college." I stated with a hint of playful jeering. She lifted her head from my hand and shot back a sarcastic smile.

"Yeah, to Julliard, big deal. That one was easy. Dad is proud, obviously, but mom is pretty upset that I'm not even trying to go to Harvard." She whined as she stretched out on my bed behind me.

"I thought you were trying for both?" I uttered as I turned my attention towards her.

"I am, it's just Harvard is a little harder to get into, and honestly, I don't know if I want to go there." She replied, still lying there with her eyes closed as if she didn't want to have this conversation again.

"Then don't. Go to Julliard." I responded as I laid down next to her.

"I don't know if I want to go there either. I don't know what I want." She sighed in frustration, throwing her face into her hands. I leaned in and pulled her closer to me.

This conversation was never-ending. Her parents have always been so specific about what she should do, where she should go, who she should date, especially when it comes to dating me.

Avery has held her ground pretty well on her own. She compromises the things that she does enjoy doing. Her dad was a former ballet instructor, so Avery pursues a different type of dance each year. She loves it, and it makes her dad happy.

Her mom is a lawyer, so she feels pressured to push herself to be at the top of her class while also being engaged in as many school clubs as possible. I don't understand how she does it all.

"We don't have to talk about it now. Let's talk about something else." I whispered as I started sympathetically rubbing her back.

"Okay," she sighed as she pulled away and turned her eyes to the ceiling, "Do you think anyone else will run for the student council president spot this year? I don't think I could handle any competition."

"I doubt it. If anyone, maybe Nico, and that would just be a joke to bug you." I mentioned. A laugh escaped her throat.

"I'm not worried about Nico, bless her heart, she would have a fun time calling the shots though." She laughed as she rolled on her side, turning her attention towards me. A smile finally crossed her face.

We talked for some time about different things going on in our lives, she even took some time to help me with my never-ending homework, but just like every time we hang out we always circle back around to this question.

"Are you sure you don't want to go to college somewhere else?" Avery states as she stares down at her hands.

"Avery, we have talked about this." I responded with slight annoyance in my voice.

"I know, I was just wondering if you had changed your mind?" She continued as she still avoided looking me in the eyes.

"Honestly, I still don't even want to go to college, but I know that would disappoint my parents, so I just chose what I know I would enjoy, directing movies. UCLA is my best option." I discussed it as I turned my attention to the ceiling as well.

"Not necessarily, there are many other options. You just refuse to do the extra research." She snapped back at me.

"I've done the research, and honestly, I feel like I would have more chances at a real directing gig if I were in California where all the directing is happening." I shoot back, feeling the annoyance growing inside.

"You do realize that I've done the research and if I end up going to Harvard, we will be 3,000 miles away from each other." She had turned back on her side, directing her attention towards me.

"I understand that, and we can make it work." I tried to reassure as I too turned onto my side, giving her my full attention.

"How do you know?" She whispered with pure sadness in her voice as she turned her head downward. I reached my hands over, cupping her cheeks, turning her gaze back towards me.

"Because I have loved you for almost five years now, and I am nowhere near done loving you." I sat up, gazing down at her before I reached out and caressed her cheek in my hand. She looked up at me with the softest hazel eyes.

"I hate to do this, but I do need to head home. It's getting closer to curfew." She tried to say as innocently as she could. I released my hand and sighed as my back made contact with the bed again.

"Okay, bye." I said sharply. She knows not to fight me with this, so she simply kissed me on the forehead and made her way out the door.