Page 210 of Rock Me All Night
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Iraceup the steps to my old apartment and pound on the door. There's some sound inside—Nadeen's voice and a man's voice too. I smooth my skirt and blouse and fix my hair. No way I'm letting her know I care about this.
There are footsteps and the door opens. It's Alex, Nadeen's boyfriend. We've met once or twice before. He was nice enough then, but the guy did kick me out of my apartment without a second thought.
He shows no signs of embarrassment or regret. "Oh, you're the old roommate right?"
"Right."
Inside, Nadeen gets up off the couch. She grabs something off the table and makes her way to the door.
There it is, in between her selfish hands—my letter. It's a thick manila envelope with a fancy stamped return address. Something that size has to be good news.
I snatch it from her hands. "Nice to see you again." I turn and march down the stairs without waiting for a response. No way I'm letting these two assholes share in my moment.
My car is parked down the street. I hug the letter to my chest. No one else is getting at this. It's mine.
Drew is leaning against my car with a wide-eyed expression. He raises a brow. "And what is that?"
"It's nothing."
"You raced over here to get nothing?" He shakes his head. "You're such a bad liar."
I run my fingertips over the edges of the envelope. A breath escapes my lungs. "You'll see in a minute."
I find the edge of the letter. Okay, here goes nothing. I tear it open at the top. There's a thick stack of papers. Some kind of pamphlet. That must be a good sign.
I let the manila envelope slide to the ground. Drew stoops to pick it up. He stares at the return address for a minute then his eyes dart back to me.
Dear Ms. Kendrick,
We are pleased to offer you a spot in the UCLA Master of Education Program. Please find registration information and deadlines enclosed.
My jaw drops. Drops. I got in.
The ground is spinning. I reach for something to steady myself. Drew. My arm falls on his shoulders. I ignore my balance and squeeze him. He brings his hand to my lower back and holds me against him.
Only to keep me upright.
That's all it means.
I read the letter again.
Dear Ms. Kendrick,
We are pleased to offer you a spot in the UCLA Master of Education Program.
An easiness spreads through my body. My chest and throat and stomach are light and free and airy.
Drew's fingertips dig into my shirt. It pulls back my attention. I take a calm breath but everything is spinning.
He turns my wrist, the right, so he can read the letter. His face lights up with excitement.
"You're going to school for a teaching credential?" he asks.
My lips refuse to open. My mouth is sticky. I pull myself upright. It helps a little.
I shake my head. "Not necessarily."
