one day » hendall

014

The week went okay. I finally met with my counselor who discussed with me a variety of options for school in state and even out of state.

"Why not stay here?"

"Madelyn, I understand you may be considering that but for your situation and grades I feel like you could do amazing things at a real university."

"Mrs. Tate, you see. I still don't really know what I want to do with my life. I'm an 18 year old girl expected to make decisions for my life when I still don't know what I want to wear in the morning. I just need time, please. I'll take the pamphlets and I promise to get my transcripts ordered and everything. But I just need more time."

"Okay Madelyn. But deadlines do not wait. I cannot call a college and expect them to understand you need more time. Send a few applications, I promise you that you will get accepted at least somewhere. It is your choice to accept the acceptance to go to that college."

I nodded and thanked her before leaving. I want to do good things; I want to make my parents proud. I want them to realize that even though they were barely ever home most of the time that I still could do it. I can do it. But after stuffing the papers in my bag I saw Harry standing with his friend Louis in the hall.

"Mads!" He smiled and waved. This is exactly why I couldn't live on the other side of America. Him.

"Hi Harry, hi Louis." I smiled up at him. I liked Harry's friends, they all liked me.

"Long time no see. What have you've been up to?" He asked fixing his backpack.

"The usual, Madelyn crap. Except I'm a bit stressed with college right now."

"What?" Harry's voice made my throat feel dry.

"It's nothing." I shrugged and smiled reassuringly to him.

"Well it is Friday night and we're having a party. Maybe it will help get your mind off things." Louis asked looking between Harry and I.

"She's not a party person, Lou." Harry spoke before I could say anything.

"Harry." He raised his eyebrow up at him and looked down at me.

"I... Well. It wouldn't hurt?"

"Mads, you don't want to go."

"What's so bad about it? I promise to give you space if you end up wanting to hook up with a girl and leave me." I didn't mean to sound rude but it was the truth.

"I wouldn't do that." He furrowed his eyebrows and sighed, "I just don't trust people."

"Well... I'll stay with you."

Louis awkwardly stood watching us exchange our words but I smiled up at him.

"Fine. If you want to."

"Yes, I will. Thank you for the invite Louis." I smiled and he nodded back.

"You guys are weird." He scoffed with a laugh. Playfully nudging Harry with his fist and smiling back down at me.

Harry began walking besides me to my class.

"So college."

"What about it?"

"Are you... Like going to leave?"

"I don't know yet, Harry. I mean I have good grades I could get accepted somewhere. I always figured that's what I had to do."

"I guess so. You are a genius."

I laughed and shook my head, "Not even close."

"Smarter than me for sure. I know I make fun of you always correcting me but I love that about you. Well, I admire how much you actually care about school. I kind of hated the idea of college."