Taking a Bite from the Big Apple (Complete)

41

Toni spotted her girlfriend walking across the campus towards the main exit and ran to catch up with her, pulling her into her arms and spinning her around as she did so. Cheryl squealed until the brunette put her down and wrapped her arms around the taller girl’s neck, kissing her deeply.

“I take it your exam went well then?” Toni asked breathlessly when they pulled back.

Both had had their last end-of-year exam that morning, leaving them school-free and together for the summer, at least that’s what Toni thought.

“I think I did, okay,” Cheryl answered with a modest smile, “You?”

“I think I did okay, too,” Toni replied, bumping the redhead’s shoulder playfully before taking her hand.

They walked quietly for a few minutes until Cheryl piped up.

“Actually something happened and I’m not quite sure how to respond because it involves something I really don’t wanna do but then I think I should and I would enjoy it, I think, but-”

She was cut off as a soft pair of lips pressed themselves upon her own for a few seconds.

“Take a deep breath and start from the beginning,” Toni whispered when she pulled back.

“Okay. No wait, can we get some coffee and go to your secret spot in the park?”

“Uh, sure,” Toni replied, starting to feel slightly antsy about whatever Cheryl wanted to talk about, “This way.”

They walked off the campus and got a couple of mochas before walking into the park and through the hedges. Toni sat back against one of the trees and Cheryl sat in front of her, their legs lying side by side. The brunette took a gulp from her cup and tried a smile.

“So what’s up?”

Cheryl put her coffee on the grass and took Toni’s hands in hers.

“I got offered to go on an exchange program this summer. Only five business majors in America are offered the spot. I’d be studying with some of the best professors on the world and learning to apply the coursework we do in everyday situations and life in general.”

“Cheryl, that’s…that’s fantastic! I’m so proud of you!”

Toni leapt forward and embraced her girlfriend, squeezing her tight.

“I don’t wanna go,” Cheryl whispered quietly.

Toni pulled back and stroked the redhead’s cheek with her thumb.

“Why?”

“It’s for three months, Toni,” Cheryl replied, sadly, “I can’t leave you for that long.”

“Where would you be going?”

“England. Oxford.”

Toni’s eyes widened and she pulled the smaller girl to her, letting her use her as a backrest.

“Cheryl, that’s incredible. I mean, Oxford…that’s the ultimate in schooling. And I’m gonna miss you like hell, but you have to go. I’m gonna be waiting here, keeping our beds warm. And the English, they have phones, right? We can talk and email, and we both have webcams, and I’ll buy one of those microphone thingies, okay? This is such an honour and you so deserve to get it. Five people, Cher, five. In all of America. And you get a place. You’re the numbers girl, so I’m not exactly sure, but I would say those are very little odds.”

“You want me to go?”

“I want you to do the best thing for yourself and know that I will be supporting you all the way.”