Earth Angel

Chapter 19

So it was now August 14th, and I was getting nervous, excited, and depressed that college was coming up. I marked days down on a calendar, and made a list of things to pack. Most people would pack just a few days before leaving, but I needed to have everything ready weeks before.

Right as I was placing a blanket in a large box, my phone rang. I dropped my blanket and rushed over to the phone.

"Hello?"

"Margaret... hey."

"Oh, Dom.. what's up?" I asked, tucking a piece of hair behind my ear. It had been too long since he kept touch with me... but he was weird like that. If something big happened in our relationship, he'd keep his distance. I had learned to get used to it.

"Nothing, I just.. you know, thought I'd call to check up on you.. are you okay?"

"Yeah.. why?"

"No, just... I wasn't sure if you were angry with me or something." I smiled to myself.. he was so cute when he was nervous, or afraid he'd say the wrong thing.

"I'm fine." I said. "How's your mother?"

"Oh, she's great. She came home a few days ago... I should've told you." He responded quickly.

"Aw, that's good. I'm glad she's okay," I smiled.

"Me too," He said. There was some silence for a bit. Why were things awkward now? Why couldn't we just have a smooth flowing conversation where he'd be all flirtatious and witty?

"So, what are you up to?" He finally asked.

"Packing for UCLA. Fun, right?" I was slightly afraid to bring up leaving for college to him. I knew he didn't like to talk about it. Neither did I.

He hesitated, "...Yeah, fun. You're really going, huh?" My heart broke a little at the sound of disappointment and something else, in his voice. Was it hopelessness? Did he think that we were just a summer thing?

I felt my stomach turn at the thought of that... but there wasn't a reason why it was an exaggeration.

"I'm really going..." I said quietly. My throat became really dry all of a sudden. "I'm sorry."

"Oh, God, no. Don't apologize, Margaret Eve. What the hell are you gonna do? This is college.. not a simple day of high school you can easily ditch." He was right... but he wasn't. Even though this acceptance into UCLA was a great experience, I was still uneasy with going. All the way to California. Across the United States of a America. Almost 3,000 miles away.

"I know. I just don't want to leave you." I admitted foolishly. Maybe it wasn't that foolish, but this was college, and compared to getting an amazing education, leaving Dominic was nothing-- to other people, that is. To me, it was everything.

He laughed, "Trust me, you'll find way better people over there."

"Don't say that."

"I already did."

I sighed, "Shut up, asshole."

"You love me." A big, goofy grin grew on my face, and I looked down at my shoes.

"Unfortunately I do." I heard him let out a cute little chortle.

"I want to see you." He said.

"Then come see me."

He groaned, "Oh, but my parents aren't home! Come over here." I looked back at the huge pile of clothes, books, and other belongings laying on the floor, and then at the half-filled box on my bed and thought for a bit.