Page 20 of Somewhere Between Falling

“Really? Fourth? Wow, I’d love that.” I sighed. Someday I’d go. “I am dying to see—”

“Greece, ” he said, cutting me off. “I remember.”

I smiled at the fact that he remembered. “Yes, but not just Greece. Though that’s definitely my top choice, I want to see it all. There’s actually a study abroad program this summer in London I’m dying to sign up for, but I know my mom will never go for it.”

“So? Do it anyway.”

I scoffed, “Yeah right. I could never.”

“You’re an adult, aren’t you?”

“You don’t know my mother,” I said with a sigh.

“Did you talk to her about it yet? Maybe she’ll surprise you.”

“I doubt it.” I sighed. “My mom is very stubborn.”

I mean, honestly, the woman still prefers communicating through email instead of text messaging. Her reasoning? Email creates a more thorough paper trail, so if there’s ever a question of what someone did or did not say, it’s easier to prove. I wish I was exaggerating.

“Wouldn’t hurt to ask, though,” he pointed out. He glanced down at his watch and said, “It’s late, and this place will be closing soon. We should head back.”

As we were leaving, I thanked him again for his help.

“Anytime, but maybe next time you could just text me,” he suggested.

“Probably a good idea,” I said, handing him my phone so he could enter his information. As soon as he handed it back to me I texted him so he would have mine.

“So we’ve exchanged numbers now,” he said with a smirk.

“Yeah?” I wasn’t sure where he was going with this.

“I think this means we’re friends.” He smiled so wide it was impossible not to smile back in return.

“I guess it does,” I conceded.

The ride back to campus was too short. I wanted to stay in his car and keep talking, but that would surely raise some eyebrows. He dropped me off behind the dorms where there was less chance of someone seeing me get out of his car. He seemed to think this was silly, but I insisted.

After I got ready for bed, I pulled out my laptop to finalize and submit my paper. Then I decided to check my email to make sure I didn’t miss anything.I scrolled down until I got to the one about the study abroad opportunity that I had saved. I read through the information, yet again, and I wanted to go even more. It would be such a great experience. I doubted Mom would consider it since it wasn’t remotely in her life plan for me, but Tobias was right, it wouldn’t hurt to forward her the information regarding the program and hope for the best.

I typed out a quick email.

Mom-

There is a study abroad program in London this summer I’m really interested in. I’m attaching the information about it.

Then, before I could chicken out, I pressed send.

Chapter Eleven

I wasn’t sure what I was getting ready to walk into.

The room was filled with blue and green balloons and little baby jungle animals. The table was overflowing with such elaborately wrapped gift boxes that it made my little gift bag look rather pathetic.

“You made it,” my dad greeted me once he saw me sneak in.

“I told you I would,” I said, allowing him to hug me. “I didn’t know you’d be here.”

I guess I shouldn’t be surprised he was here. He had no problem making Blair a priority. But despite my slight resentment over that, I was happy to see him because as I looked around the room, I realized I knew none of Blair’s friends.

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