On the edge of everything

Part 16

The first of May is an infamous day for many high school seniors throughout the country; it's decision day. Almost every university requires that by 11:59 PM on May 1 you have accepted a spot at the college of your choice. Most of us made the choice weeks or months ago, but today is a symbol; it's a symbol that we have made it and that the future that awaits us, rather than the past, is our focus. Our time at Saint Catherine's is nearly done, and our lives that we have chosen for ourselves are about to begin.

It is SC tradition that on May 2, once everyone has officially made a decision about what they are doing beyond graduation, every senior wears their college sweatshirt or some representation of next year's plans in a celebration of all the places we'll go after we leave these comfortable brick walls.

The NYU sweatshirt came in the mail last week. It has sat reverently on my dresser, neatly folded, not to be touched until today.

I wake up at the first sound of my alarm and immediately have a smile on my face, knowing that today is the day. There is a slight warmth in the air of early May, so I opt for jean shorts to accompany the bright purple sweatshirt. Staring at myself in the mirror, my smile radiates with pride: my dream has come true.

I think I'm smiling the whole train ride down the hill and across the river. Outside of SC, I see that the photos have already begun in the early morning hours. Every combination of friends in the senior class must take their picture in front of the school. They must show off the beautiful combination of the past and the future; where they have been and where they are going.

There's an energy in the school as I enter-- it's electric. I don't even make it into senior hall before an arm grabs me from the auditorium doors.

"What the --" I begin before I get pulled into a kiss. "Rose," I smile, "What are you doing?" I mumble these words between kisses, the most we have ever exchanged within the school.

"Well," she starts, pulling away from me. "I wanted to be the first to tell you what I have decided I am doing next year." she backs away from me towards the stage. I see now that she is wearing a rain jacket so no college gear is visible.

I roll my eyes. "Wow, you are so dramatic," I tell her as she continues to slowly make her way towards the stage, nearing the stairs on stage left.

"I'll choose to ignore that," she laughs. "Because-- drum roll please." I stamp my feet rapidly in an attempt to create a drum effect on the carpeted floor. Her back is to me in center stage as my stomach moves with anticipation.

"I chose BU!" She turns and in one swift movement her raincoat drops to the floor and I see a grey sweatshirt with the words 'Boston University' printed in ruby red letters.

My happiness is so loud I cannot contain it. I drop my bag and run up the aisle towards this beautiful person- my person - where she stands in the center of the dimly lit stage in front of an empty auditorium. I wish that there was an audience here to offer a round of applause, a joyful roar to celebrate the occasion.

"Oh my goodness, I am so proud of you!" I cheer as I jump onto the stage. She wraps her arms around me and I smell the lavender of her shampoo. "This is what you want?" I confirm, wishing to ensure that proximity to NYU was not a factor in her decision.

"It is most definitely what I want." She smiles and the excitement and anticipation that radiate are too large and honest to hold a lie. "I love the city, the courses and the people that I met when I visited. And being only a few hours on a train away from my beautiful girlfriend is a pretty big plus," her arms wrap around my hips, "But you weren't the reason that I made my decision."