Not enough (Fermín López)

Chapter 28

Lorena had been feeling something was wrong for a while and doing their end-of-the-year exams only confirmed her worries. The exams went really well and she knew she had passed all of them so that wasn't the problem. She tried to not think about it but couldn't stop herself. It was only making her more anxious.

"And you're done!!!", screamed Fermín's mum when they got back to the house. "Let's celebrate your first year in university is over!"

They didn't do anything super special to celebrate the uni year had ended but just being there with people she cared about, and who cared about her, was enough for Lorena. But still...that feeling.

"And next year...".

"I don't want to go back to uni next year", she blurted out, surprising everyone. She couldn't keep that to herself any longer.

"What do you mean?", asked Fermín. "Your aunt said she could pay for your tuition but if she can't I could...".

"It's not about money. I don't want to keep on studying sports science. I...I'm not sure I ever really wanted to".

"It's very normal for people to change majors in university, Lorena", told her Fermín's dad to make her feel better. "What is it you want to study?"

"I think I want to be a teacher", she said and Fermín smiled. He had thought about Lorena being a great teacher so many times. "Funnily enough, my parents would have approved that. I think I might have just done something different to rebel against them. It's so stupid. Imagine wasting a whole year because of that".

"And it's typical of teenagers to do so. It's not the end of the world. A lot of people also try a major out to see if they like it and have to change".

They kept chatting about what Lorena could do in the upcoming uni year and Fermín soon realised a vital part of what was going on.

"We won't be in class together anymore".

"I know", said Lorena, sounding sad. "You're the reason why I stopped myself from thinking about this sooner. I loved being in class with you and don't want that to change".

"It's ok", he told her, holding her hand. "You won't be far and I would rather you study something that makes you happy".

"But how would you cope without my notes?", she taunted him.

"I don't know. I'll have to find another cute classmate who lets me borrow hers...".

"Like I'll find another cute classmate who'll let me sit next to him".

"Exactly".

Lorena felt relieved having shared her feelings with everyone. Now she had to do the same with her aunt and they'd find a way to change her major, which turned out to be pretty easy. So a couple of weeks later she had officially changed majors.

"I can work to help pay the tuition".

"Or you could focus on studying and let me pay for it", said her aunt.

"But it's not fair you have to deal with this extra expense right now".

"Bah! Nonsense. I have nothing better to do than make sure you have everything you need".

"Thank you", told her Lorena, hugging her aunt. "I don't know what I would have done without you".

"I'm sure Fermín would have helped".

"Yeah, but I don't want my boyfriend to pay for everything. Even if he has a lot of money. It'd be weird".

"It'd be cute too. You two are adorable!! And make me feel very single too".

Lorena laughed and looked back at the laptop, seeing all the books she would need for her classes and feeling so excited about this change. She hadn't felt that way before starting her first uni year. At first, she thought it was because she knew Adrián was going to be there too. But now she realised it was because her heart wasn't in it. Still, she was happy about that "mistake" because she wouldn't have met Fermín otherwise. Funny how something so good could come out of something that felt so wrong at first.

The building she'd be studying at was very close to the one where Fermín would do his second year of his major. Just a ten-minute walk and that made her smile. They had spoken about staying at Fermín's a few times per month as well, to compensate for when he was away for matches.

And also...there was something else she had to do too.

"Breathe".

"Fer, I can't breathe. I'm going to pass out".

"You'll be fine. There's nothing around you can crash into".

"Thanks?", she raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you worried about me destroying your car?"

"I could buy another one", he joked and laughed when Lorena hit him in the chest. "I know you'll be a great driver. I'm not worried".

Lorena sighed and allowed herself to be told what to do to start the car. She had never been a big fan of the idea of driving but it was just so useful. Her aunt had two cars and was happy to let Lorena use the oldest one to go to class or wherever she needed to. And it would help her see Fermín way more often. He could drive, of course. But it wasn't fair that he made the effort every single time.

She actually did ok and was happy that she would have some experience driving before her lessons started. The written exam she wasn't worried about. It was the actual driving she worried about the most.

But once she passed the first exam, it was time for the holidays. The driving test could wait until August. It was time to have some fun. Finally.