My Bestfriend's Brother

Chapter 18

When I wake up and realize I'm in Liz's living room I frown. I wish I was still in that bungalow in sweet paradise. I wish I could hear the soft noises of the water splashing against the wood again...

Most of the summer has already passed. I haven't had any fun except for the recent trip with Josh. I soon realize college application results come in today and I get out of bed and rush downstairs with my laptop and sit on the living room couch. I applied to WSU, SU, and NYU. I really hope I get accepted into SU because I've always wanted to live in Seattle. Since the first time I went to visit, I fell in love with the place and I would be so happy if I could study there.

I take out my cold laptop, type in my password, and open up my email. When I see it I get butterflies in my stomach. What if I don't get into any? What's going to happen to me? Negative thoughts come flooding into my head like waves. I push them to the back of my mind and I click the email from NYU first. I log into my account and when I log in and scroll to the bottom of the page, it says: We are sorry to inform you that we cannot offer you a position at our university, have a good day.

I'm not really mad because I knew I didn't want to move to New York in the first place. It's too loud and too crowded. I know I wouldn't enjoy studying there. I click the second email, the one from WSU. I log in and read what the short letter says: Mrs, we are sorry to inform you that we are currently full and are no longer accepting applications. We are very sorry, have a great day. 

Oh god, what if I don't get into SU. I'll be screwed! My fingers tremble as I click on the third email. I log into my account and I scroll down to the letter. I'm so nervous. I look at the screen and my heart flutters when I read the words: We are glad to inform you that you have been accepted into Seattle University. We look forward to seeing you. 

Ahhhhh oh my god oh my god I just got into my dream university! I rush up the stairs and barge into Josh's room. He's on his phone and looks up confused.

"I got into SU!" I say, my voice full of excitement and my face in a broad smile.

"Oh... I didn't know you applied there. I got into NYU..." He says and all of the emotions are drained from his face.

"Oh..." I say. I was so excited that I didn't think about how this would affect my relationship with Josh.

"I was planning on going to NYU but my application got rejected," I say only half lying.

"Okay, so what does this mean for us?" He asks.

"I don't know. All I know right now is that I'm moving to Seattle next week so I can get into my dorm," I say. I don't want to leave him but I really need to think about my future.

"All I know is that I'm moving to New York City next week," He tells me. I frown. Does this mean we're breaking up? It's already over so soon?

"Maybe you should stay at your mom's for the rest of the week," He says and looks away from me.

"Are you serious right now?" I ask him, trying not to get mad.

"Yes, Em I'm serious. I think we need to end this right here, right now. I don't want us to hurt each other when we leave for college or even during college. Look, I really like you but this can't keep doing this if we're both going separate ways," I know he's right but I don't want him to be.

"Fine. I'll go," I say and start to pack up my things. I'm so hurt by the truth. This couldn't keep happening, we both know it, but he didn't even suggest trying long distance. Was this whole thing a joke to him? I hold back my tears as I drag my suitcases down the hall and down the stairs. I come back up to get my phone and I look at his handsome face one last time. I can tell he's hurt too, but he was the one who decided this. I head back down and drag my belongings until I reach home.

It's been a month since I've seen my mother. I don't even know if she's home because the last time I was here she wasn't. I push my key into the door and turn it so I can enter. My childhood home smells like wine and I can see my mom's watching tv on the couch. Her drunk face turns around to look at me.

"Emma, you're finally home," She slurs. How much did she drink? 

"Yes mom," I decide to postpone telling her the news until tomorrow. She's not in a good state to talk about this. 

"I'm going to go upstairs," I say and she does a random gesture with her hand. I don't know what it means but I take it as an, "Okay."

I place the suitcases into the closet and enter my old white bed. It smells like flowers, like always. I drift off to sleep and I dream about my new dorm room and how I'm going to decorate it.

Mini Note: Hi I just wanted to pop in and say I hope everyone is at home, safe and healthy"