Page 76 of Afterglow
“Holy s-” I cover my mouth, berating myself for nearly swearing.
Both Dr Byrd and Professor Hart laugh. “So, what do you say?” She asks.
“Yes, yes.” I repeat, immediately.
Dr Byrd hands me her business card. “This has my contact details. At the end of the next semester, let me know what you’re up to and we will try to get you into one of our research facilities.”
“Thank you, I will.” I turn to Professor Hart, “Thank you Professor. I owe you,” I joke.
“It was my pleasure, Jazmine. Will I see you in one of my classes next semester?”
“Yeah,”
Dr Byrd and I exit the lecture theatre. I see Theo waiting for me right outside the door. He pulls me into a hug straight away.
“How did it go?” Theo asks. He cocks his head when he sees Dr Byrd beside me. “Dr Byrd?”
She smiles, looking between us. “Theodore Knight, it’s nice to see you again. You and Jazmine had a great thesis paper. If you ever change your mind about football, you know where to find me. It was nice to meet you Jazmine,” With that, Dr Byrd leaves us alone.
“Okay, what is going on?” Theo asks, bursting with energy.
“Professor Hart introduced us. In the summer she wants me to intern under her and I might get a full-time position afterwards,” I say, unable to contain myself.
I'm jumping off the floor as Theo spins me around in circles, our laughs filling the corridors. Other students probably think we are crazy right now. Finally, once I am extremely dizzy, my feet are back against the ground.
“Princess, that is amazing. I’m so proud of you,”
My heart swells. How could I not fall in love with Theodore Knight?
“Thank you. Dr Byrd also asked me what I was doing after graduation and for once in my life, I had no clue. Usually, that would scare the shit out of me, but then Iremembered I had you. I know we haven’t really talked about the draft or post-Lakewood, but I want you to know I am all in.”
I can see the emotion in Theo’s eyes before he hugs me, tighter than the last time. “Me too. I don’t know what the future will hold, all I know is I want you in it.”
“We should celebrate,” I say.
“Yeah, how about—” Theo’s phone interrupts. His face falls as he reads the message.
“What’s wrong?”
“It’s my dad. He wants to talk,”
Chapter 35
Theodore Knight
Game day nerves are nothing compared to the knot in my stomach right now. Sweat is dripping from my palms, while I crack my fingers and knuckles as a distraction. Jaz swoops on my hand, intertwining our fingers.
“Theo,” she says, turning so we are facing each other. “Take some deep breaths with me,”
Jaz walks me through breath work exercises, counting every inhale and exhale. Her presence grounds me as well as putting a stop to my overthinking.
My eyes flicker shut, bringing an image of my mother to the front of my mind. In the past, it was always my mum that brought me comfort, it’s as if the gaping hole in my heart is slowly being fixed.
The messages from my father were a sharp pin, stabbing the ball of anxiety in my stomach until it burst.
I haven’t seen him since the game and knowing he and Jazmine had a heated conversation—although that’s putting it nicely—worries me further. My heart pounds in my chest, beating faster and faster.
The hands on my clock inch further towards twelve. Any minute my father will be here. What do I even say to him? An even better question, is what will he say to me?
