In My Heart Is Where You Are

Fifteen: I Challenge You!

​​Alex and Blythe were spending one afternoon at her place to finish a project they were working on.

"So, what do you think of the slides I prepared?" Alex asked as his girlfriend was skimming through each slide.

"This is awesome!" Blythe said in approval. "We'll probably tweak the design and we're good to go."

"How about the possible qu​​estions the panel might ask? Did you list them down?"

"Yes, I did." She opened a document file for him to read. "I also supplied answers on some of them."

Blythe moved aside to let Alex sit in front of the computer and read the entire document.

"Cool! I think we're set for the presentation." He beamed.

"Yep." Blythe got on her feet to stretch. "I hope they give us a good score on this."

When Alex didn't say anything, she turned to him who was quietly gazing up at her.

"What is it?"

"Nothing really." He shrugged. "I'm just glad I got to spend time with you today."

"Me too," Blythe said softly. "Although I feel like something is bothering you. Would you mind if I ask you what it is about?"

"Well, there is one thing bothering me, and you have to know this early," Alex admitted.

"Go ahead then, I'm all ears." Blythe gave her boyfriend her full attention.

Alex took a deep breath.

"Blythe, I had a meeting with my football coach and team manager the other day; and we were joined by a football coach based in Australia." He paused. "And they... they gave me an offer to play for another team."

"Really?" Blythe exclaimed. "I think that's awesome! Which team are you going to play for?"

"I hate to tell you that part... because the team is actually based in Sydney." He said glumly. "So if I accept the offer, my parents I will have to move back to Australia after this semester."

"Oh..." Her face fell in an instant. No.

"Actually, I'm not the only one who was given such an offer." Alex continued. "Some football players from other schools were also asked by Coach James, that coach based in Sydney."

"But what will happen to your studies?" Blythe was obviously worried. "We still have three semesters left."

"I know, but I was told that we will be granted full scholarships from one of the universities in Sydney." He explained. "They also mentioned our accommodations there would be taken care of. Although it doesn't really matter because my sister, Cara, lives in Sydney. My parents and I will just move back there. That is, if I said yes."

"Still this is so sudden!" Blythe frowned. "Although I have to admit the offer sounds so... tempting."

She looked at Alex straight into his eyes. "So what are you planning to do? Are you going to take that rare opportunity?"

"To be honest, Blythe, I don't know yet. I'm still thinking about it carefully."

"Does your family know?"

"Yes. My parents are pretty much supportive. Cara was ecstatic when I told her, and she was looking forward to having our family together again. But as I said, I have other things to consider, and that includes you, Blythe."

For a moment, neither of them couldn't say a word nor make a move. Blythe's memory went back to the time she first met Alex, when he and Owen went to a football training camp.