Page 114 of Escaping Our Reality

No two people fit together like me and Lulu. We were made for each other. Two halves, split right down the middle.

We’re sitting on the loveseat, watching the blue flames dance in the firepit. My arm is flung around My Lulu, and she’s snuggled against my bare chest, listening to my heartbeat. I slipped back into my underwear and pants—you can’t go commando in a rental tux—and she put her dress back on, with nothing underneath. I take a pull of my cold beer, nudging her shoulder. “You need me to get you some water?”

“No, I’m good.”

Something’s bothering her. She’s distracted, rubbing her scar.

“Are you happy, Lulu?”

“Of course, I’m happy. It’s been one of the most amazing nights of my life. All of my amazing nights are with you.”

“Then, what’s wrong?”

Her voice squeaks out higher. “Nothing.”

“Don’t lie.” I toss the possibilities around my brain. “Are you thinking about Carrie?”

“You know I always think about Carrie.”

Trying a different tactic, I say, “Tell me something. Something no one else knows.”

Her whisper is barely a sound, catching on the wind and flying on an angel’s breath to my ears. “I’m keeping a secret from you.”

Well, I wasn’t expecting that. I grab her body, pulling her upright, planting her face to face with me. “Talk to me. What’s going on?”

Her eyes fall down to her lap.

Shit. It must be worse than I thought.

She bites her lip. Taking a deep breath, she lifts her face, forcing herself into position. “I’m not going to the University of Virginia. I’m going to the university here.”

At first, I’m taken aback by the news. I know she hated the idea of becoming an architect, but she never mentioned switching schools, never mentionednotleaving for Virginia. And as much as it pained me to think about her being ten hours away from me, I knew we could make it work. I love her that much, and she loves me that much. But I’d be lying if I said I didn’t think this news was fucking fantastic. She’ll still be moving forward with her plans for an education, but she’ll be doing it from here. Next to me. Beside me. While I figure out my own shit.

I can’t stop the smile from spreading across my face. I open my mouth to tell her how happy I am when she suddenly makes my jaw hang limp.

“And you’ll be attending the university with me.”

“Excuse me?”

She licks her lips. “I got us both in. Late admission. I know you were accepted before, so it was pretty much a given that you would be accepted again.”

How?

What?

How in the hell?

I don’t even know where to begin. I shake my head, unable to formulate an adequate response. “What are you talking about?”

“My father performed emergency surgery on the president of the university a few months back. Gallbladder removal.”

And that’s supposed to explain everything? “Well, I’m very happy to know the guy’s stomach pain has resolved, but what the hell does that have to do with me? And you? And school?”

“I made an appointment with him several weeks ago. Late admission was already over, but the president can always make an exception. He agreed. We both meet with the academic advisor the week after I get back from the graduation trip.”

“You just talked to him? That’s it? You didn’t fill out an application or provide transcripts or anything?”

She blushes. “Well, I did.” She takes a deep breath. “I forged your application. And I ordered your community college transcripts online, pretending to be you. They already had your high school transcripts and ACT score from when you were accepted before.”

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