The Tuition Fee

Chapter 14: The Interview

F: How are you doing today Mr. Crane? You seem to be in a good mood. 
N: Yeah, can't complain. How are you?
F: Just swell. Are you ready?
N: Yeah, go ahead. 

F: What is her favorite hobby?
N: Reading. She's taken over all the bookshelves in our townhome. 
A: Oh, reading. It's a good thing I work in a bookstore. 

F: Favorite color?
N: Blue. 
A: Um, blue.
F: Did you have to think about it?
A: More I was thinking about someone, please continue. 

F: What kind of movies do you watch together?
N: *laughs* I have no say in movies. But she's rather good at picking them out.
A: Oh, all kinds of genres. Romance, comedy, action, fantasy, the works. He never complains, it's amazing. 

F: Who usually cooks? Is it good?
N: She does, and yeah. It's generally edible. 
A: I do but I just found out how amazing he is at cooking so I will be making him cook more. His brother is a chef in Colorado, I should have known better. 

F: What do you argue about? 
N: Small things, like cleaning and what not. We haven't really had any huge fights over anything. 
A: Oh you know, little things. I won't let him cook because he never does the dishes but we don't really fight-fight. 

F: Do you have similar friends? Do you get along?
N: Oh yeah. My best friend is dating her best friend and we all get along pretty well. 
A: Yes! We got our best friends together and it's so cute. 

F: What is one significant thing that happened to you, as a couple, this summer?
N: ... We went to my friends lake house for the fourth of July and I think it-it strengthened our bond as a couple. We got to relax and have fun and just... Fall more in love. 
A: Oh the fourth of July, most likely. We were together at his best friend's lake house and just really got to bond as a couple. We'd been working so much and hardly had any time to spend together. I went tubing for the first time, scared out of my wits, but he was there for me the whole time. It was truly, very sweet. 

F: What is your daily morning routine?
N: Well, she's usually up way before I am but every time I come downstairs she always has a cup of coffee ready for me, even if she's not there and had to leave for work. I've started making breakfast too, and then we either do chores or hang out. I'm really not a morning person.
A: Well he's not a morning person so it's a miracle if he's up before noon. But I always make him some coffee because's he's insufferable without caffeine. Then he might make breakfast, we might do some chores, might watch tv. 

F: Lastly, what are you most grateful for about them?
N: Her unwavering faith in me. She thinks I can do anything even when I don't. It's... *clears throat* Sorry, it just means a lot to me. 
A: What do I think he's most grateful for from me? 
F: Well, what are you most grateful for in him? 
A: His protectiveness. He's always there for me, always there to comfort me when I'm anxious, stressed, having a bad day. I know I can always count on him to be there. 

F: Well, I think that's all I have for you this time. Have a good school year! 
N: Thank you, Mr. Francis. I'm feeling good about it. 
A: Thank you sir. I hope you do as well. 

I met Nathan in the hallway, my cheeks still flushed from the last question Mr. Francis had asked. Sometimes I really hated these sessions with him and how much they made me think about my relationship with him. I mean, we had to fake it convincingly or get kicked out of school and have our lives ruined. But still... Those questions were really personal. 

"How'd it go?" He asked, shoving his hands in his pockets as we walked. 

I shrugged, trying to make sure my voice was steady before I answered. "You know, fine as usual."