Page 72 of Ward Willing
I pass by him as I leave the kitchen, and I swear the air between us is electrically charged.
Once I’m clean and wearing black leggings and a brick-red UCLA sweatshirt, I pull my hair into a loose bun. I figured I’d better manifest my future with the UCLA sweatshirt. This test will determine if I’ll be able to apply for next fall, after all. Besides, I’ve been so…blahabout the whole thing. This sweatshirt reminds me of what I’m working so hard for.
I need the reminder ofwhyI’m doing this.
But… to make it fair, I also grab the ring I bought a couple of weeks ago. Someone on campus was making rings out of old forks, and this one has a purple stone that reminds me of my fantasy book.
After tucking my phone into the pocket of my leggings, I head downstairs to find two massive pieces of French toast, strawberries, blueberries, and bananas on top with a sprinkle of powdered sugar. There’s also a bowl of my favorite plain yogurt.
I sit as Liam brings me another coffee. “It’s a plain latte. I know you like the caramel syrup, but the last thing you need is a sugar crash,” he lectures, pushing the mug to me.
As I take in the food and coffee, I can’t help but be grateful for him. Grateful that not only does he take such good care of me, but he’sinvestedenough to know how to maximize the results of the test.
“Thank you,” I say quietly.
I eat as much as I can on a nervous stomach, which is more than I expected. Liam eats silently next to me. After finishing the coffee, I use the restroom and grab my wallet for my ID. Once outside, Liam leans over the seat and opens my door for me, and we drive to Westwood listening to a playlist I created to gear myself up for the test. Liam pulls off the road and into the parking lot for the test, and because we’re thirty minutes early, he turns the car off and looks at me.
“Nervous? Excited? How can I help?”
I smile. “I’m okay, actually. I want to get it over with so I can focus on other things.”
Like my book.
And figuring out what the hell is going on between us.
He opens his mouth to say something, but he must change his mind because he leans over and opens my door. I go still as his shoulder presses into me, and I can’t help but love the feeling of him being so close.
Pulling away quickly, he nods to my open door. “Might as well go wait outside the door. Come on. I’ll walk you.”
I follow him through the parking lot, following a few people onto campus. He walks beside me as we follow the signs for the testing center, and once we approach the building, he turns to face me.
“Are you sure you want to do this, Zoe?”
My brows furrow as I look up at him. “Of course. Why wouldn’t I be sure?”
What I don’t say is that I’ve been preparing for this for three years. That I’ve spent the last six months in a near-constant state of burnout, so giving up would be a waste of that time. That ever since I applied for college, I knew I wanted to become a lawyer like my parents.
That was years ago…
No.
This isn’t aboutme.It’s about my dad and honoring him.
I want to make him proud.
Liam sighs as he runs a hand through his hair. “That came out wrong. I mean… you don’t have to go through with the test. If it’s not something you want to do, no one here will care if you show up to that room in half an hour.”
“I want to be a lawyer,” I tell him defiantly. “My parents were lawyers, and I?—”
“Zoe.” His firm tone sends shivers down my spine, and any other conversation about this would have me aroused. Instead, I’m irritated that he’s throwing me off of my game before such an important test. “Your dad was my best friend. I know for a fact that he’d be proud of you no matter what you decide to do with your life. You don’t need a law degree to prove anything.”
I let his words roll over me. “I’ve wanted to be a lawyer my entire life,” I respond, digging my feet in.
“And all I’m saying is, you’re allowed to change your mind. Not just today, but any day. Life’s short, little rebel.”
He’s… wrong. He’s trying to play devil’s advocate. I amgoingto be a lawyer, and I’mgoingto make my parents proud.
Besides… doing this is the only way I can still feel connected to them. They were both successful lawyers. In fact, watching my mom get ready to go to the office everyday was just one reason I aspired to be one.
