breathe

chapter 7 | benjamin

chapter seven

benjamin

I missed my family deeply. It had been two long months since I'd seen or spoken to them, since Dad kicked me out. Alex's jokes, Mom's hugs, even Dad's Cornell speeches – I found myself longing for any sign they still cared.

I almost called Dad one night. Not out of missing him, but out of nerves. Because earlier that day, I'd received an email that made my heart nearly stop: I'd been accepted to Cornell's pre-med program. My fingers hovered over my phone, remembering how Dad forced me to apply just a few months ago. But I wanted to prove to myself, and to him, that I could succeed on my own terms at Berklee.

He would still be so proud to know about Cornell. He'd try to change my mind, convince me that an Ivy League would bring more opportunities in the medical field, that I would never make it as a musician. I could practically hear his voice already, commanding as ever. My hand dropped from the phone, decision made.

My eyes drifted back to the acceptance email – and the smaller notice below. I'd been awarded a partial scholarship to Berklee as well. A gasp escaped me as I read the amount, a smile spreading wide. It wasn't much, but it was a lifeline. Especially knowing Dad refused to help pay for "that hippie music school." I stared at the screen in awe, my breath catching in my chest.

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Charlotte stir on the couch beside me. Slowly her eyes blinked open, a slight smile playing at her lips as she stretched. Her physics textbook tumbled to the floor with a thud.

"What're you hiding?" she mumbled sleepily, nestling closer into my side.

"Oh my God," she was now fully awake and staring at my computer with wide eyes. "Oh my God, You got in!"

A disbelieving laugh escaped me. "I still can't believe it." With trembling fingers, I reread the acceptance email aloud, my voice growing more sure with each passing line.

Charlotte beamed, squeezing my arm excitedly. "I know how much this meant to you. I'm so fucking proud, Ben."

A radiant smile spread across my own face to match hers. Joy and relief surged through me so powerfully it hurt. "Thank you," I said, grinning so wide my cheeks ached.

"We should celebrate. This is huge!" she insisted. "Something special for such an amazing accomplishment."

"There's a great ski resort up north," I suggested. "The snow should be perfect this time of year. What do you think?"

Charlotte bit her lip nervously. "I've never been skiing before."

"Don't worry, I'll be with you the whole time," I reassured her gently, taking her hand in mine. "I'll make sure you get the hang of it."

A smile broke through her apprehension. "Alright, I'll give it a try. But you better not make fun of me for falling on my ass."

"I'll do my best to control myself," I teased.

She rolled her eyes. "We should invite Ash, Laurel, and Elena too," she suggested. "Make it a group outing. I miss them. Even Ash."

"I agree, that'd be fun," I replied.

"I don't want Elena to feel like a fifth wheel, though," she said.

"Don't worry, I'll talk to Lena myself to make sure she knows she's welcome," I said gently. "And I'll give her a plus one just in case."

Charlotte smiled, relieved. "Okay. I was thinking about having Laurel and Elena over tomorrow to bake cookies. And Ash can come over, too. I want to force him to bake."