Right Next To Me

Chapter 35 The Love Intervention

Chapter 35 ~ The Love Intervention

I slumped on a bench feeling sorry for myself. It is the end of February and my classmates are starting to receive acceptance letters in their mail. My future is still uncertain. I may not get to fulfill my dream of studying in Stanford. I have not heard from Columbia either. I wonder where I’ll be in the fall.

My school records aren’t exactly good. I don’t blame the schools. Sure, I get good grades but my behavior during my days in boarding school might affect my chances. I made sure to write very good essays. My current adviser and our school head wrote letters of recommendation. I hope those are enough to get me in.

I do not know what I will do if I cannot get in to any school. Maybe I could work for Ian or Aunt Lily. Probably Aunt Lily, yeah so I can still be near Dylan. Ian is already settled in California and I am not very keen on moving out of New York. It will still suck to not be in Stanford but being with Dylan will surely fix it.

I am just looking forward to my California trip with Dylan and Seth. I am sure we are going to have fun there. I will also pester Ian to introduce me to Miss Maid of Honor. I heard from Rich, his best friend, that Ian does not really stay at our house in L.A. My brother spends much time in Napa Valley. I think there is where Miss Maid of Honor lives. I will meet her soon. I will make sure of that.

I almost jumped from my seat when my phone vibrated in my pocket. I am sure someone played a trick on me again. I do not like my phone on vibrate mode. It must be the caller, Cranky Boy, who tinkered with my phone. His photo is flashing on my screen along with his number.

“Hey, babe. You look pretty lonely. Care to join me for dinner?” He flirted when I answered the phone. I could not help but smile. His voice alone brings joy to my heart. OK, not just my heart. His baritone voice gives me warm, wet feelings? Ha-ha.

“Hmmm…let me check my schedule. I could give you Thursday night for dinner. Tomorrow, I am going out with Chris Evans. Then on Wednesday, it is Jensen Ackles’ turn…” I heard him chuckling.

I headed toward the school gates and found him leaning against his car. He gave me a wink and my heart sped up again. I am so lucky to be with him. My schoolmates were checking him out but he does not seem to care. He was watching me walk toward him.

“Chris Evans, huh…” He smirked when I reached him. “He sent me to give you this…” He handed me a bouquet of pink and white tulips. “…and he said to tell you that you look hot in your school uniform.” He is eyeing my short skirt and my exposed legs. I didn’t wear socks because it is getting warmer.

“You must be the hottest messenger around town.” I commented. He is wearing a plain white shirt, dark jeans and biker boots. “I should probably give you a chance. Tell you what, I am cancelling my dinner with Zac Efron tonight and hang out with you instead.”

“Yes!” He pumped his fist and quickly opened the car door for me. “I hope you like Italian.”

“Actually, I am into this Irish-American guy…” I started and he burst out laughing.

I still ended up at an Italian restaurant with my Irish-American date. We enjoyed the wine, the cheese and the pasta. It reminded me of Saint Remy.

Dylan brought up the subject of another summer in a few months. Summer is our favorite season. He suggested that we spend our summer in Saint Remy. My thoughts wandered toward the fact that summer is coming up but I have no school yet. I must be frowning because he asked me about it after a while. “What’s wrong, babe?”

I sighed. “My classmates have received their acceptance letters in the mail. They know where they’ll be in the fall. I don’t.” I sipped my wine absent-mindedly, looking away.