never be the same | grayson dolan

forty two

Grayson's POV:

I have been working my ass off these past two weeks since returning home to Florida. Studying, handing in essays, working night shifts at the marina, it was starting to become overwhelming. Despite my busy and intense schedule, I made a promise that I was keeping.

Madison and I have been looking into what colleges we want to attend next fall. Every night we talk on the phone and search for schools that fit the criterias we are both looking for. I have never felt this motivated in my entire life. School was never easy for me, so working hard to go to college was a new challenge I was faced with.

As I'm waiting for Anthony to meet me in the courtyard, I pull out my phone and continue my never ending search. I have a list of a few colleges across the SouthEast Coast of Florida, but an undecided which one to choose. As I'm scrolling through a new website, I stop at one I haven't heard of yet.

Florida Atlantic University.

It is six miles away from Delray Beach, located in Boca Raton. It is only a thirteen minute car drive. The school ironically included a teaching program and a mechanical engineering program. It almost seems too good to be true.

Anthony broke me out of my daydream by lightly hitting my arm. "Ready to go?"

I look up from my phone and nod. "Yeah," I quickly put the device in my backpack as we begin to walk toward the senior parking lot. "How was it? Interested in trying out?"

"Maybe," He lightly shrugs. "I haven't played baseball since I was a kid so I might not even be good at it."

"I can't see you not being good at something." I laugh.

"I guess it's something to consider for the spring." He shrugs again and grips onto the strings of his backpack. "What were you looking at before?"

"Just more colleges." I admit with a shy grin. "Ever heard of Florida Atlantic University?"

"Yeah, FAU." He nods his head. "My cousin graduated from there a few years ago."

"Did he like it?" I eagerly ask.

"Yeah it seems like a great school."

"That's where I might apply." Everything seemed so surreal in this moment.

"It's not even that far." He states with a smile.
"Sounds perfect."

"I'm scared it's too perfect." I sigh as the hot sun beats down on me.

"Did you tell Madison about it yet?" He raises his eyebrow.

"Not yet, I'm gonna call her before I head to the marina tonight." I say with a small yawn.

"Damn, another night shift?" Anthony chuckles.
"You need to stop with those. You keep dozing off in government."

"I need the extra cash." I sigh and look down at the pavement underneath me. "I'm paying for college all on my own."

"That's why you need to apply for scholarships." He points out. "Maybe you'll get a free ride."

"I hope." I lowly mumble as we reach the parking lot. I'm hoping the tuition isn't too expensive and getting accepted to this school was easy.

I know Madison would get in with flying colors, I on the other hand wouldn't. Anthony pulls out his car keys and unlocks his army green Jeep. I open the passenger side door and step in, tossing my backpack on the ground.

"Thanks for taking me in today." Since Bill needed the car to run some errands, Anthony was my ride for the day. The next thing on my list is to buy my own car. I figured once I graduated I could look into it. Right now all my time and energy is going into my last six months of high school.