The Lost Ones | Choni

38| Collage letters

(Toni)
Babe! I got a letter from Seaside! Did you get one?

I had just woken up when I saw the message so I had no idea if I had a letter. I stretched quickly before my legs swung over the side of the bed, rushing out of my room and down the stairs.
"Aunt Alice? Did you get the mail yet?" I called as I ran into the kitchen.
"Not yet. Why?"
I shook my head and ran for the door. "I'll explain in a minute!"
My feet carried me out into the chilly yard and all I felt was nerves bouncing around my body and the rough cement of the driveway beneath me. My hands fumbled for the little door to the mailbox and as soon as it was popped open, I gathered all the mail and ran back to the house, stopping on the front porch.
Junk. Bill. Magazine. Bill. Seaside Institute of Art!
My heart stopped as I looked over the envelope, having no idea what the message inside would say. The door opened up to reveal Claire.
"What's going on?" I didn't say anything, just showed her the envelope. "You got a letter?!"
"Mmhm. Toni said she got one too."
She nodded knowingly and then pulled me inside, kicking my shoes toward me and handing me my keys. "Go to Toni's and open them together, then text me and let me know what happened. I'll keep it under wraps till you get back."
"Okay. Thank you," I smiled as I hugged her. Once she went back into the kitchen I put on my shoes and bolted out the door, getting into my car and making my way to Toni's.

My eyes focused on the ceiling as I laid in bed, waiting for Cheryl to text me back. It had been 30 minutes since I texted her, so I assumed she was sleeping still. Suddenly, the sound of knocking echoed from the living room and I hopped up to go answer the door, looking through the window to see my beautiful girlfriend, still in her pajamas.
I pulled the door open and she walked in, revealing a letter she had been holding. "I got a letter."
"Are we opening them together?" I asked and she nodded with a smile. "Alright then."
A soft smile spread over my face as I walked to the counter, picking up my letter. "I have an idea," Cheryl said. "I should open yours and you should open mine, and we can turn our backs so we don't ruin it with our expressions."
My lips curved up at the suggestion. "Okay, that works."
We swapped letters and turned around. It made me more nervous to open Cheryl's, having to know what her future was before she did. The paper from mine ripped open from behind me, so I tore open the one I had, unfolding it delicately.
"You got in, babe," I smiled.
"So did you!"
Our bodies whirled around to face each other and we read over the words together, screaming blissfully at the top of our lungs. "We're going to college together!" I cheered.
Cheryl moved closed to me, placing her hands on my cheeks before she pulled me into a kiss. My forearms rested on her shoulders and my hands were clasped around the back of her neck. When we pulled away I looked into her eyes and smiled at her.
"We're really growing up, babe."
Her face reddened as she planted another peak. "We sure are."

• • •

Cheryl and I hung out all day at my apartment. We both had notified our families of the news and they were very excited for the both of us. Claire had texted Cheryl for us to come over so we could celebrate the achievement, so we were in the car on the way over.
"I can't believe we're going to be going to college together," Cheryl said as she drove.
I laughed, still in a bit of disbelief myself. "I know. We should room together," I teased.
"I wouldn't be opposed to that," she smirked.
We laughed for a beat as we approached her aunt's house, seeing more cars than were usually there.
"You should park on the side of the curb, Cher," I suggested and she nodded, taking the advice.
Our car doors shut and we could hear music coming from the backyard. "Sounds like a party," Cheryl smiled.
"Sure does. Let's go check it out."
Cheryl lead me to the side of the house and over to the fence, opening the door for us and allowed me to go in first. She followed behind me and then took my hand as we rounded the corner of the backside of the house. Once we were in the backyard, we were absolutely stunned. Lights were strung across the area and there were tables brought out with chairs to sit at. There was a table full of food and sweets to eat, set in a buffet style. Both friends and family were gathered around, talking and waiting for us, but they all looked over when Carter and Bella saw us and ran over.
"Cheryl, Toni!" they screamed happily.
"Happy birthday!" Carter said as he jumped up and down and my head shot over to Cheryl. I wasn't informed it was her birthday.
"Carter, honey," Colette laughed.
"Wrong occasion," Claire finished. The little redhead looked confused at his moms and then Claire bent down to pick him up. "We're celebrating them getting into college."
"Thanks for the thought though, Carter," Cheryl giggled as she lead the way further into the party. Cheryl's family came over to hug her while I went over to Mom and Dad.
"We're really proud of you, Antoinette," Dad smiled as Mom wrapped her arms around me.
"You've worked so hard and it's paid off," Mom added.
I smiled back at them. "Thank you, guys. It means a lot that you're here."
"We're happy to be here."
"And we're happy you're achieving goals you set for yourself."
My head turned to look back at Cheryl, smiling and talking with her mom and sister. "I had some help with that."
Mom hummed a bit as she hugged me again. "We know, and we're happy you found her. Don't let her go."
"Not planning on it."
After our conversation, I joined back with Cheryl and we went to go mingle with our friends, all of them there to celebrate with us.

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Okay, I know this isn't the best chapter and it was hella rushed, but I really want to wrap up this story and move onto something I enjoy writing. I also cut one of the final three chapters since it would've been short like this one, sooooooo the next chapter will be the final chapter. I hope you guys can forgive me, but in order for me to enjoy what I write and actually make it worthy to read, I have to stop writing this story, but again, I'll wrap it all up next chapter so I don't abandon it.