Whatever, Cowboy.

College Confessions_17

Author's Note: This chapter is a jump back from the last, this is set in the morning after Austin firmly stood up to his parents and informed them of his plans with Tyler.

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  Austin decided three weeks into summer that he couldn't skip over the important discussion anymore. He marched downstairs with a heart full of pride and dignity to find his parents sitting on their porch with their morning coffee. He sat in front of them on the cement tile and began his defense.

  "Mom, Dad. I think it's time we've talked about a long overdue topic."

  "Austin, we already know you're gay." His mother shot, missing the point entirely.

  "No, that's not what I meant. I mean college." The words sprung surprise and interest onto the parents' faces. Austin's father set his mug down and leaned into the conversation.

  "What about it? Would you like to go?" His father asked, a grin rising on his face as he reached for Austin's mom's arm.

  "I would like to consider it, yes. Do you know where I could start?" At his question, his mother hopped out of her chair and scurried inside quickly. When she returned, we had an arm full of envelopes, big papers, and posters.

  "We didn't want to pressure you into thinking you had to so we kept them safe until the question arose and now the times come! Oh, my sweet baby boy. You'll be amazing at college. Have you thought about the job you want to pursue after?" She pestered.

  "Yeah, Healthcare. If it's okay? I was also looking at Accounting."

  "That's great! What college are you looking at? Or colleges?"

  "I was hoping we could look at the University of Missouri?"

  "Well, of course, Sport!" His dad chimed in. "We can see when they have in-person tours, right Laura?"

  "That's right, just so long as it doesn't interfere with vacation next week, that's a great idea."

  "Cool! Also, what is a scholarship? I've seen something about them in school but I just couldn't understand it." 

  "Oh, wow... Okay, a scholarship is free money, if you will, to get into college. There is debt for the overall time you are there and scholarships help to pay that off."

  "Okay, so if I rack up enough of that, I'll be able to go basically free?"

  "You might not have to, you may get granted a full-time scholarship, meaning you get a 'free' year or full term of college."

  "Cool!" Austin couldn't believe he hadn't looked into this before. After their conversation had finally died out, and they three had read all of the messages, Austin returned inside where Arizona was cuddled in the corner of the couch. Ghost white and lost in thought.

  "Are you okay, Arizona?"

  "Hm?" Her eyes remained stuck in the distance, her arms clutched her body and her legs clung to her chest.

  "Hey, what's going on? Can you see? Are you okay?" Austin knew not to make too much commotion that would distract their parents but he did have reasonable concern as he rushed to her side. Tears stream down Arizona's cheeks as her body loosens to grab Austin.

  "I'm scared, Austin."

  "Why? You're safe, I've got you."

  "But if you weren't there yesterday, I could've gotten hurt. Alex could've gotten hurt!"