Chapter 11
The last day of mid-terms was Friday and I had never been happier for it. I had no idea how I would make it through finals in April. At least I would have graduation to look forward to after it. I had gone through the list schools Dean sent me and had started applying. There was one I was really hoping for; it was in Arizona which meant I wouldn’t be too far from Andrew. I would still be hours away and it would definitely be a road trip to visit each other but it wasn’t across the country or anything. I wasn’t getting my hopes up though just in case I didn’t get in. I had good grades, and my SAT scores were high but that didn’t really mean anything when next to someone with good grades and extra-curricular activities. David did convince me to add karate to my application though, he said I was good and had done it long enough to have it count for something. The guys had tried to get me to learn an instrument but I kept refusing. I probably wasn’t going to be any good and it wasn’t something I could see myself doing. Andrew wanted me to explore something though, he said I was free now and could do whatever I wanted with my life. Meaning I could pick up any hobbies and interests that I wanted but couldn’t have before. I may take an art class; I have always loved to draw. Andrew also wanted me to try singing but I told him not to push me. If I was going to pick something up I would do it one at a time, plus I didn’t have the nerves needed to sing in public. In trying to pick something to learn I did come across an interesting fact, Michelle was being trained by the air force. She was part of a program that David took but in a separate section. He wanted to be a foot soldier, she didn’t. But they had tactical support, she was part of that. She had showed me some of what she learned and that was very interesting. If I cared to be part of the military, any branch, I may look into it. It was also something to think about, something tactical.
Putting my pencil down for the last time this week for these stupid tests I handed it in and grabbed my things to leave for the day. I loved being able to do that. Passing some stores I stopped inside the biggest one, one, so I could pass time, and two, so I could see if I could decide on what to get Andrew. I also had to see about getting winter clothes, what I had would do nothing but freeze me to death at the resort. Cutting through one of the aisles to get across the store I stopped and stared, frames, what if I got Andrew a frame of us? He had pictures he had taken of us and a few at other events and just pinned them to his desk or left them scattered. One picture of us that he had was taken on our very first date, at the amusement park. They had guys walking around asking to take pictures of the guests for purchase. Andrew had done it to commemorate our first date as well as my first time at an amusement park. That would be a good gift; would he think it was to, girly though? No. He said not to over think it. I had to stop thinking of things I bought being stereotypical. Now I just had to find one I really liked. One caught my eye; it was simple yet elegant in my book. It was a plain black wooden frame but had the word “friends” carved out into the corner. It was large enough to read but not large enough to take over from the picture. One said “love” as well but I figured friends was safer in the long run. Grabbing it I held on to it while I continued on my way through the store. I also wanted to get something for Dean and Mary. I hoped to get an idea and then run it past Andrew to make sure they would like it, or could use it.
Back in the room I quickly shoved the frame in my closet so Andrew wouldn’t see it before I gave it to him. I would take his picture of us and put it inside and wrap it but I feared he would realize it was missing. I may just wrap it as it was and let him decide what picture to put in it, that could be easier. He might be back any minute though so it would have to wait either way. Putting the clothes I got for our trip on my chair I started to hang them up as he came back, phew, good thing I didn’t decide to wrap my gift for him now.
“Mid-terms are done! Thank you God!” Coming into the room he crashed onto his bed just barely dropping the few things he had on him. Not saying anything I just continued to do what I was doing.
