Dearest - truly flung out of space

27 - News

Amelia
Lunch at Starbucks?

I feel my phone buzz as the message pops up on my screen. I quickly reply and turn my attention back to my professor. The class is boring as usual, but I try my best to keep my focus. Even though I would rather be with my favorite blonde right now, I need this class for my degree.
"Who can identify the different styles that are applied in this piece?" the professor asks and looks around the class.
Oh god, please let time pass quickly.

"Y/N, the names for the literature workshop are published. I brought the list," Amelia cheers after taking a bite of her cake pop. One targeted handle later she holds the list in front of me, "Should I check or do you want to?" she asks but her eyes already scan the list.
I'm quiet for a second, trying to deal with the disappointment that I'm about to experience. In no way did I get into that workshop.

"Y/N, YOU'RE IN!!!" Amelia literally screams and almost chokes on her cake pop.
"What?" I ask in disbelief.
"You're in. Your name is on the list. Number 2. You are in. You were the second person they chose!" she squeaks and shows the list to me.
I see my name strong and clear on the paper. It's not a dream. but god, it feels like one. I take the list from her and brush my finger over my name. It really is there. This is not a joke. I literally got into a workshop that only picks the elite students from the literature degree.

"Welcome home, dearest," Carol shouts from the kitchen. She's making dinner and the delicious smile of Caesar dressing invades my nose, "I'm making a salad."
I still haven't processed the intense experience of getting into the workshop and I'm not even able to say 'hello' to my love.
I walk into the kitchen and sit down on a chair, still visibly shaken up.
Carol immediately notices that I'm not my usual self and dries her hands before walking over to me. I feel her hands on my shoulders.
"Dearest, are you okay? You're so pale," she asks with clear concern in her voice. Her hands squeeze my shoulders lightly and shortly after, she caresses my cheek, "Did something happen? You know you can talk to me about everything."
"Carol... I....I got...," I try to explain myself but it's not working. My mouth won't allow any words to come out.
"Sweetheart, what is it? You're getting me worried," she whispers and kisses my cheek.
"Do you remember the... the... ehm.. the workshop we signed me up for? Well, Amelia got the list of the people who are in," I explain with a shaking voice. My brain is still unable to form normal and coherent sentences so all I can do is just show her the list.
Her eyes scan the paper for my name.

"Y/N, your name is on that list! Does that mean... Oh my god, you're in. YOU'RE IN!" she squeals and picks me up from my chair to spin in circles. I giggle and hold on to her neck closely, hoping that she won't drop me.
"We need to celebrate that, my love," she says as she puts me back on the ground.
"I don't even know if I want to go. I mean, there is no way I'm leaving you and Rindy alone now," I whisper as my happiness fades away.
"Y/N, we already talked about it. you will attend that workshop. This is important for your education. I would never let you sacrifice your education for me and Rindy. We love you and we will support you through everything. We will get through this. It's just two weeks. What can go wrong? We also have Abby who will help us. You really don't need to worry about us, dearest," Carol reassures me and kisses my cheek, "Let's go out for dinner."

"Dearest, what do you want to eat? Decide what you want. You are the main character tonight," Carol says as she closes her menu, "I think I'll settle for the salmon with asparagus."
I still browse through the menu of this very fancy restaurant. It was even worse than 'The Finesse' but Carol wanted to try it so I decided to give her her way. I could never deny her anything at all.
"I think I'll just take the same as you," I whisper and close my menu as well. Abby settles on a steak. Carol and I were meant to meet her new girlfriend today but unfortunately, she was caught up with work. I would have rather met Abby's new love instead of celebrating my success in getting into the workshop. Deep down I know that I don't want to go.

"Y/n, love? Are you there?" Carol asks and touches my knee. I immediately snap out of my trance and shake my head. My favorite blonde chuckles and leans in to kiss my cheek.
"I'm.. I'm sorry, I was lost in thought," I admit as I try to hide my blush.
"I could tell. Are you okay?" she asks with a concerned look. I nod my head and try to change the topic.
"So, A- Abby, how are things with your girl?" I ask, hoping that she will pick up the topic and take the attention away from me.
"Well, it's going well. Her name is Lisa. We've been going on some dates and we've always had so much fun. I think I might be in love," the brunette admits and I smile.
I'm so happy for her and I'm so glad that she is letting herself experience this feeling with a new girl.
"I'm so happy for you. I hope we can meet her soon. I'm sure she will fit perfectly in our little family," I whisper, causing the table to laugh.

"How's the food, love? I have to say, the service is immaculate. But, of course, it's not as good as your service in 'The Finesse'," Carol says while taking a bite of her dinner.
"It's... It's good," I reply and look away. I don't feel comfortable in the situation. I feel guilty. How can I leave my girlfriend and my little ray of sunshine while they are going through hell? It's hard already when I am with them. Harge will never stop until he gets what he wants. And he wants Rindy and Carol back. He won't stop until he reaches his goal.
"Sorry, would you excuse me for a second?" I ask and get up from the table without even waiting for an answer from Carol.
After leaving the restaurant, I look up into the sky. It's a cold and quiet night. A few stars shine through the clouds and I take a deep breath.

Breathing in the cold and fresh air, I suddenly feel a light tap on my shoulder.
"Dearest," a quiet voice asks. Carol's voice is quiet and soothing. Her using the nickname for me in this situation feels like a warm blanket, almost like an embrace.
"I'm.... I'm okay. I'll be with you shortly," I try to say without making my voice quiver too much.
"Y/N, you're not okay. It's okay. Do you want to tell me what's going on?" she asks again and takes a step closer to me.
"I'm fine, really. I'm just... It's all a bit much right now," I whisper, still hoping she won't notice my tears.
I feel her arms wrap around my waist. Her head rests on my shoulder as she whispers soothing words into my ears.
"Do you want to go home? We can skip dinner. We can postpone. Abby will understand," she whispers and kisses my cheek.
"Yeah, that might be good. I... I don't think I can do this right now. I'm sorry," I reply and lean into her touch.

I'm home, curled up in the arms of my favorite blonde. She's gently caressing my back as faint jazz music plays in the background. Carol is not asking for explanations. She's just accepting my silence. That's why I've always loved her. She never forces me to say something. I don't have to explain myself to her. Sometimes I feel like she understands me without words. Maybe she can feel my pain, my sadness and my joy.
"I don't want to go. I can't leave you alone like this. I mean, what if he reinforces his actions? It's hard already when we are together. I can't leave you now only to pursue my dream. My family is way more important than my education. And you are my family. You and your little sunshine. I can't leave you," I whisper. The words just pour out of me. I can't stop them.
Suddenly, I feel a finger on my lips.
"Dearest, no more words. Don't say that. Look at how far we've come already. You're so strong. We've been apart for two weeks already and I even had the pleasure to spend this time with the devil himself. I will be okay. I won't let anything ruin the opportunity for you to educate yourself further. You deserve this, my love. I want you to be successful. I promise you that me and Rindy will be just fine. Abby will also help us. You really don't have to worry," Carol explains, trying to reassure me. She really wants me to pursue my dream but I'm not even sure if I really want that. Studying literature has always been my dream, yes. But everyone from my family was against it. Nobody wanted to support me, they always said I wasn't good enough and that I would never reach any goal with this degree. To now have someone who believes in me doesn't feel right. I've been hated for my decision for almost 3 years now. Of course, I'm happy that Carol supports me but I really don't think that I have the right to do this to her. Especially not when something so severe is going on right now

"Darling, I can hear your thoughts. It's okay. I won't let you miss out on this chance of educating yourself further. You're gonna go on that workshop, if you want or not," Carol says, kissing my cheek. I don't think I can escape her anymore.

Carol Aird, thank you for supporting me so much. 

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(a/n:) Hello my lovely readers! Another week, another chapter. I do hope you enjoy this new chapter and I hope you are all doing well. Happy reading!!