Recollections

The Time With Tears

The Time With Tears

(song of the chapter: How Long Will I Love You // Ellie Goulding)

There are forty-eight hours between now and my graduation. Two days exactly. To say that this week has been stressful is one hell of an understatement.

Elena has been glued to my hip since Sunday night and between her apartment and mine, there hasn't been a moment when we weren't together. Austin's been less than thrilled by his lack of attention on my part, but he dares not cross me during a time like this.

All of Elena's family--also known as Austin's family--is coming into town tomorrow afternoon. My family is flying in the morning of graduation, which personally feels like they're cutting it a little too close.

While driving back to my apartment after a long day of mailing announcements and shopping for graduation dresses, I asked who all she invited to the ceremony. Listening intently to the names she shot off, I waited to hear Seth's, but when she never mentioned him, I begrudgingly asked if he'd be attending to see her. Seth has become somewhat of a taboo between the two of us and my asking was a risky thing. Elena didn't elaborate when she told me that she and Seth no longer associated. I'm not sure how I expected to feel about that, but relief wasn't it.

Since the news of my college's graduation has spread, I've received so many job offers from several science corporations, but there's one in particular that I've been pining after. A wildlife survival sanctuary reached out to me last week and offered me a position as a research assistant. Right off of the bat, I was hooked. I've been in contact with the Sanctuary's head Wildlife Specialist and he's been giving me more details about tasks that the job would entail. So far, there isn't one thing that I'm turned off by.

The only dilemma? It's in Florida.

In retrospect, I can't really complain. Sunny, vacation hot spot, Florida. What's not to love. Only, Austin hasn't been as keen on the idea as I have.

At least, I don't think he has. Anytime I bring it up, he doesn't speak. He nods along as I give him more details and babble about how much I'd love to work for them. I'm scared to ask him directly what he thinks because I'm afraid he'll give me a resounding no when it comes to moving to Florida.

Will I go without him? I'd been talking about getting an apartment without him, isn't this sort of the same situation? Only states away...

**

The day of my graduation is what my Nana would have referred to as a hell house.

Both, mine and Austin's phones haven't stopped ringing as we try to get ready for the ceremony. Austin's being oddly stand-offish and it's making me anxious by default.

I'm scrambling around like a headless chicken, trying to get myself presentable and also answer every incoming call from all of my family members who are just getting into town. Luckily, my Mom has redirected all of them to her place and she'll be harboring them until the actual ceremony.

Elena texts me to tell me she's on her way, and I'm so wound up I don't even notice Austin standing off to the side watching me, until my phone accidentally slips from my fingers. As I bend to retrieve it, our eyes meet and I raise a challenging brow.

"What?" I press.

"C'mere."

My feet move on instinct and Austin's arms wrap around me in the most natural way. I tilt my head back, resting my chin on his chest so I can look at his face. His lips brush against my forehead and I sigh.

"You look stunning in this dress." He praises me and I flush, loving that he approves of the dress. "Are you nervous?"

I shake my head against his chest. "More like anxious."