He Was Mine, I Was His

Rumors (pt. 1)

    As the end of the school year grew closer, time seemed to speed up. It wasn't long before we had just a month before my high school career was over. I was still waiting for acceptance into college and was still struggling with what I wanted to study. Elizabeth had helped me narrow it down to journalism, medicine, or early childhood education. All things I enjoyed but all vastly different.

    "Ms. Monroe," Two-Bit said, trying to distract himself from studying. "I could totally see it. Wait, what would the little hellions really call you? Ms. Rouse? The Mrs. Sodapop Curtis."

    "Two-Bit if you fail this final, it is definitely not my fault," I laughed as I poured us some coffee. I put some sugar in mine but left his alone. For some unfathomable reason, he liked his coffee black. I didn't trust people like that.

    "It's just so boring," he complained, dragging out the word 'boring'. "Why don't you go check the mail. See if you got into any of those fancy colleges. Talk to me about your prom dress. I will do anything to get out of this."

    "If you have a question done by the time I get back from checking the mail, we can take a break," I joked.

    I grew a little nervous as I walked to mailbox, just like every other time I checked it. I stood in front of it for a few moments before opening it. There were a few letters and a small package. I sifted through the letters until I found one from the University of Tulsa. I felt a hint of excitement before the nervousness returned, realizing it could say I was rejected.

    I quickly brought it inside. "I got one done," Two-Bit hollered. "Do you have a beer?"

    "No," I grinned. "But I have a letter."

    He rushed over and took it. He looked up at me after reading it and held it out towards me, "Open it."

    "I'm scared to," I replied softly. I wasn't sure why. My world wouldn't end if they said no but it would hurt. I didn't want to feel that.

    "Do you want me to open it?"

    "Oh, I don't know. Maybe."

    He quickly ripped it open with excitement as if it was his letter. He unfolded the paper, read, and smile spread across his face.

    "What? Did I get in?" I squealed. He gave me the letter. Congratulations! You've been accepted into the University of Tulsa... "No way!"

    "Yes way! Congrats smarty pants!" Two-Bit said, picking me up in a hug. "What do you say we get celebratory shakes at the the diner?"

    "Celebratory? Are you sure you don't just want to get out of studying?"

    "What?" He said sarcastically. "I'd never. Now let's go!"

    I laughed and gave in. I was too excited to do homework anyways. It felt like a weight was lifted off of me. One less thing I had to worry about. It was perfect.

    Two-Bit and I drove to the diner. We found a seat at the counter. Two-Bit bought us both shakes and we spent an hour just talking, laughing, and having fun.

    A few of my friends from the other side of town walked in. I waved at them, they waved back with an odd look on their faces. I furrowed my brow but brushed it off. Two-Bit and I continued to have a good time but once in a while, I would look over to the girls. They would be looking at Two-Bit and I in disgust before leaning in to whisper to each other. It made me really uncomfortable.

    "We can leave if you want," Two-Bit suggested, noticing my awkwardness.

    "Yeah," I sighed. "That would be good."