The Difference

Chapter 31

I feel hopeful when I wake up a few days after Troy and I's breakup and it's time for me to start classes again. Winter break is officially over, and I was lucky enough to get an extra week off because of taking finals early. Go me.

I get ready that morning and feel as though I can take on the world. It's a new semester, brand new classes, and I even took 2 online classes this semester which will help me when it comes to maintaining my job with Ava.

That Monday, everything seems a little brighter. Sure, I have to shuffle through my large stack of chocolate on my nightstand to shut my alarm off and nearly trip over the mess of my room as I have mascara-stained hoodies and tear-soaked tissues everywhere, but today, everything feels not as sad.

I walk into the kitchen, a complete mess, and decide to make breakfast. When I clean the mess from my scrambled eggs and wheat toast, I hear the shower turn on. I roll my eyes, noting I will be late now that I have to wait for shower rights. I knock on the door and get no response.

"Ava, I have to go to class and since you're in the shower I'm just going to brush my teeth quick and leave," I say, and wait for a response. Nothing. I knock again and nothing. I start to get worried, opening the door to check on her.

"What the-" Brad yells, peaking his head out of the shower.

"Oh, I thought you were Ava," I say, embarrassed. "Carry on."

I roll my eyes and grab my toothbrush and toothpaste, and proceed to brush my teeth in the kitchen sink.

"Hey, sorry. I forgot what time your class started today," Ava says, walking in from the back door. I don't even bother asking what she was doing as she flips on the living room television. The news is on and much to my luck, they're talking about The Marigold's.

"Future king Troy Marigold was spotted alone at this morning's family brunch, as opposed to being with his fiance Isabel who he attended the ball with. However, there was a photo captured outside the mansion as our camera crew was packing up of him kissing a girl on the mansion's front porch," the reporter says, as a photo of Troy and I from the other night flashes across the screen. Ava's jaw drops.
"According to a source close to the family, that girl, who we were asked not to name, is just a friend. Now, we're not experts or anything, but they don't look like they're just friends in that photo," the reporter teases before turning things over to the meteorologist.

Brad peaks his head out the door and calls to Ava, "hey, are you gonna join me in here?"

"Ugh! I can't get away from that freaking family, can I?" I yell before going into my room. I lose any hope I had for a good day at this point and change into a pair of leggings and an oversized white flannel t-shirt, my black Timberlands, and pull my hair into a bun on the top of my head. I throw on my sunglasses in place of makeup and grab my keys. I hear Ava and Brad singing in the shower together as I step out the door.

I sigh, getting instant relief upon leaving the house. That is, until I turn around and Troy is in my driveway, leaning on the hood of his car. Of course, he looks amazing, and I look like trash.

"Oh lovely," I say, annoyed.

"What?" He questions.

"Nothing, what do you want?"

He's taken aback by my attitude, but continues to talk anyway. "Uh, I just wanted to say thank you for taking care of me the other day."

"You're welcome."

"And.. did you see the news?" He says awkwardly.

"Yeah, sadly, I did."

"Yeah, I'm pretty sure the 'source close to me,' was my grandma. You know if they asked me I would've told the press everything," he says.

I raise an eyebrow and can't help but let out a laugh. "Right," I say, sarcastically, walking past him to my car.

"Where are you going?"

"To class. To go be a normal person again," I say defensively. Before I get into my car, I lean over my door. "I just have one question," I say, squinting at him now from the sun in my eyes.

"Are you really going to marry her?"

"I don't know if I have a choice anymore. I think she comes with the throne. That being said, I told Grandma I need time to adjust into being king. I'm thinking maybe in May we'll do a reception," he says, honestly.

I say, "okay," and drive away so fast I can't even see him watching me go.

The first day back to school is a blur as my emotions seem to take over most of the day. Sadly enough, there's not a single thing on campus that doesn't remind me of Troy. The real kicker is the girl sitting next to me in class introduces herself and her last name is Troy.

The rest of the week at school is equally as emotional for me, as I pretend to be fine when I know I'm not. I spend my Journalism class that Friday afternoon pondering how someone who you've known for such a short amount of time can have such an impact on your life. I flash back to what Eric said about me giving everyone all of me, and then I think about Troy some more. I start to feel guilty for being so mad at him, but I don't know what else to feel. I want him to be happy more than anything, and I wish I could be enough for Mrs. Marigold's standard, but I'm not. I also wish he would fight back, especially since he's the one who's going to be the king, not her. The whole situation gives me a headache and I replay it over and over until class is over for the day. As I'm walking out, my professor stops me.

"Hey, it's Rosemary, right?" He questions me.

"Yeah," I answer nervously.

"I wanted to talk to you about the assignment you turned in," he says, pulling out the work I handed in. I immediately get nervous until he laughs and says, "calm down, it's nothing bad."

I smile and wait for him to continue. "So, I have a friend who runs a fashion magazine in New York. She's looking for someone to start at her company early Spring. I really wanted to recommend you for the position. I actually went ahead and showed her this article you turned in and she said she would be thrilled to meet you. You don't have a job lined up after graduation, do you?" He questions. I'm shocked, I'm smiling so wide my professor probably thinks I'm a creep.

Nonetheless, I let myself have this moment. I inform Mr. Johnson, "No, I don't have a job lined up yet. I would love to meet with your friend," I say. He tells me he will forward her my phone number and email address so we can work something out. That day and for the rest of the night, I don't think about Troy at all. All I can think about, finally, is myself.