The Freshman

Chapter Sixteen - Last Call

Emily's POV

I stared at Chris, my mouth open in surprise. "Chris, I... I don't know what to say. What happened to you and Becca?" I asked.

"I was over at the Kappa house, making plans with Becca for the big Hartfeld Formal dance this weekend..." Chris said. "And it suddenly dawned on me... I don't want to go with her. I want to go with you."

"I... I see."

"I'm done running away from what I really feel. I'm ready now. Ready to be with the one person I care about the most... What do you say? Can we try this again? The dance is this weekend, and I don't exactly have a date now... I know I screwed up... but we shouldn't let that ruin what we had. What we have."

"Chris, I can't forgive you. After all that we've been through... maybe it's just better if we go our separate ways."

"I understand. But... I won't give up hope. If you happen to change your mind... you know where to find me."

"Chris..."

"Goodnight, Emily."

"Goodnight..."

Chris walked out into the hall and disappeared into his room.

******

The next day, I stood outside Vasquez's office with James. "You sure you want to do this?" James asked.

"Of course I'm not sure... but I have to," I said. "It's time for me and Professor Vasquez to have a serious chat."

"You need backup?"

"I... I think this is something I need to do alone."

"I just want you to know, Emily... I think you're doing the right thing. Good luck in there."

"Thanks, James."

"There you are... good. I've got your next assignment all ready for you," Professor Vasquez said.

"Actually... there's something we need to talk about first. Gabriela."

"Gabriela?"

"Yeah. Gabriela. Your daughter. We just had an interesting conversation."

"You contacted my daughter?! How could you possibly think you have any right to do that? Now you listen to me..."

"Ughh, no, you listen! I'm an adult. That means I can talk to whoever I want. Whenever I want."

"An adult. What a laugh. That very statement proves your childishness. Truly growing up means considering things in more depth... thinking before you act!"

"Or maybe you should think a little less and do a little more! Like actually trying to go visit your daughter! She told me all about you. How you used her life story to write your book... and she told me how you'd do the same to me!"

"All I've ever written is the truth. I shine a light on people. Sometimes, they see parts of themselves in my work... shadows they wish were hidden. But you always knew that was our arrangement."

"True, but you used me. You knew I had no choice... that I'd have to quit school if I didn't work for you. But... maybe I do have a choice."

"Are you really trying to back out now?"

"I... I don't know."

"I didn't think so. It's like you said the first day you got here. You need this. We need each other. Now take your final assignment for the quarter and get out."

Outside, I opened the envelope and read my final assignment. "'What does love mean to you?'" I returned to my suite to find everyone in a state of high activity, stringing lights along the walls and tearing open packs of red cups. "What's going on?"