Page 39 of Between the Blue
“I guess I’ll just have to ask you again tomorrow.”
“Bold assumption that I’ll let you, Ben.”
We stare off. I break first. Press my tongue into my bottom lip to stop my smile. But then she smiles too.
“Come to my game on Friday,” I say.
Jules looks up at me from under her lashes. “Someone’s getting greedy.”
“You’re right. I am.”
Her lips curve up at the corners.
“I think I like you, Ben.”
nine
HER
“Do you like it there?”
“Yeah,” I reply, monotone. “It’s great.”
“How are you feeling about everything?”
I don’t know how I feel.
I don’t know what to think.
I don’t know what to do.
This wasn’t a part of the plan.Myplan.
I never thought in a million years that I’d be able to get a position with COBO so young, much less as a student, but I fought for it. Ididit.
Or at least I thought I did.
It was right there in my hands. It’s all I’ve been thinking about for months. Nana has beensoexcited for me. The thought of having to tell her makes a painful lump settle in my throat every time it comes back to me. I haven’t let myself cry. Crying never helps anything. But telling Nana will be what breaks my dam.
“Sunny?” Nana’s voice coming from my phone pulls me out of my thoughts. “You there?”
“Oh, yes. Sorry, Nana,” I say. “What did you ask?”
She chuckles. “I asked how you’re feeling about everything. How’s school going? Are you getting excited for your internship with COBO?”
With that last question, I feel all of the air push out of my lungs as I open the front door to the gym. And, suddenly, I know exactly how I feel.
I’m upset.Soupset. But, more than anything, I’m angry.
I should have known something was wrong. There was no reason why I shouldn’t have heard back from anyone at COBO for so long. I just figured they were a big and busy company and foolishly gave them the benefit of the doubt.
I should’ve gone to Tiffany on my first day of class. But I’m sure it still wouldn’t have helped anything.
They are clearly intent on not allowing a photography student to intern.
But at least I would have had some time to figure out a backup plan. There are tons of photography opportunities in the city of Austin. I’m sure I could have found something involving fashion. Something that would at least serve as a bullet point on my resume that would be relevant to what I’m hoping to do in the future.
Butsports?
