Caroline
"Caroline would you mind hanging back for a few minutes? I'd like to discuss something with you." Professor Thompson says to me as I'm leaving my test booklet on his desk.
"Sure." I say nodding. I turn and walk back to take my seat. I wonder what this is about? I've turned it around completely in this class, brought my grade up and I'm fairly confident I just aced that final. I just hope it's not something bad, I've got too much going on right in my personal life to add school stuff too.
I'm thinking about Luke, trying to figure out what I'm going to say to him about James and Jen and everything else that's been keeping us apart. I really wish I had my phone. I wonder if he's called. I miss him so much. His smile, his laugh, his arms around me. It's been too long.
"Caroline? Are you ok?"
"Huh..what?" I ask startled looking up to see that Professor Thompson is standing in front of me talking to me. I was so lost in my thoughts I didn't even realize everyone had left.
"I asked if you were ok." He says pulling a chair out from the table behind him and sitting down across from me.
"Yeah, I'm ok. Sorry. Just a little distracted with some personal stuff. What is it that you wanted to talk to me about?" I ask sitting up straight and trying to push my thoughts of Luke to the back of my mind, just for now at least.
"Well I notice that you didn't apply for the Vanderbilt Abroad program for next year. Were you just not interested?"
"I was but honestly I thought with my grades I wouldn't qualify."
"In the beginning of the semester you wouldn't have, however you've shown some incredible improvement over the past few weeks. I checked in on your other classes and the improvement has been seen in them as well. You are a fast learner Caroline, you're a bright young lady and from what I've seen very hardworking. Those are things that are very valuable in this program."
"Thank you." I say looking down at the table hoping he doesn't notice the redness slowly spreading across my cheeks. I've never been able to take compliments without blushing like a fool. I look up and he's got a small smile on his face.
"I got these for you to look over." He slides over several packets and brochures. "There's information in here about the program, the housing, the class schedules and credits, all the basics to what goes on over there and what's expected of you as a participant in the program. It really is a great experience. I've never had a student come back with anything but good things to say about joining."
I flip thru a few of the pages. It does look like a great thing to be a part of. Studying and living in another country, meeting new people, experiencing a different culture. As I'm thinking about all these positive things about doing this his face pops into my head, the one negative...leaving Luke. "How long do I have to think about it?" I ask.
"I'm afraid not long. We need to get a finalized list to the school board by Tuesday morning and we leave that Friday."
"Wow, ok." That's fast.
"Sorry I know that's a big decision to make in such a short time. We had our full group and someone dropped out just yesterday and left us with an open spot. Just give it some thought and let me know."
"I will." I stand gathering everything up and making my way to the door. Walking to my car I'm still looking at these brochures and packets. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I'd be crazy to not take it. What would happen with me and Luke? We're already in such a bad place could our relationship handle being so far away from each other for a year? I'm not even sure we'll still be in a relationship after I tell him James and I kissed. And then there's that whole thing too, James wants to get back together and I don't know how I feel about him.
