“Additionally, I think you should consider taking a heavy load of summer courses at SCC. Balancing your courses there with field studies here next year is going to be a challenge. I’ll get them to work with you, of course, but it would be ideal if you could take a lighter load there next year. I know you took a few winter intersession courses this year and some summer courses right after high school. Plus, your transcripts show a few AP credits. With a large summer load, you’ll be close to completing the full number of credits needed to graduate from SCC.”
“I can do that,” I said quickly, wanting to appease his every request. Throughout this year, I felt that Professor East had bent over backward to help me, even if I hadn’t always seen it at the time. And the fact that he was already planning for my success next year made me that much more eager to follow his suggestions.
“Summer enrollment has already started, so I’ll see what classes I have remaining and take as many as I can.” I remembered Callan’s push for me to continue math and take Calculus.Dare I take it over the summer, without his help? Part of me was scared to attempt it while the other part was eager to do it, just to show him I could.
“Good.” Professor East rapped his knuckles against the desk in a quick, unconscious motion. “Things might be a little different around here next year, Ms. Whelan, but I want you to know that you’ve exceeded my expectations in every way this year. You put your head down and put in the work. You’re going to have to double down on those efforts next year, but you have already shown that you’ve got it in you.”
I tried not to blush, surprised by the praise he was lavishing on me. “Thank you, Professor East. I won’t let you down.”
“I know you won’t. Have a nice summer.”
The trailing plant tugged open the door again, and I took that as my cue to leave. I cast one last look over my shoulders and saw my professor staring out the window at the bright summer sky, fingers steepled and brow furrowed.
Chapter Sixty-Three
Nevah pulled me into a hug. “I’m going to miss you, Briar. Sorry I couldn’t be more help this spring. But I know you’ll do great next year.” It was her last day on campus.
“Thanks, Nevah. I owe you a ton. So, where are you headed? Back to Michigan?”
Nevah’s eyes brightened, and she gave me a sheepish smile. “Actually, I was selected for an internship at the aquatic conservatory in Florida, so my plans for the Great Lakes are going to have to wait.”
“Nevah! That’s amazing! Congratulations.” It wasn’t at all shocking that she’d been selected—she was one of the best in her year and a founder’s descendant to boot—but the official announcement was thrilling.
She beamed. “Thanks. I’m excited. Hey, maybe you’ll get invited there eventually. You do have an aquatic affinity, after all.”
I startled at the idea. Aurielle had told us about visiting the fern conservatory in Alaska, but aside from that, the conservatories had pretty much fallen off my radar. I’d had too many other things to focus on this year, and next year wasn’t shaping up to be much different. Nevah didn’t know about my newfound heritage—Professor East had kept an even tighter lid on that piece of information.
“Maybe. It’d definitely be fun to visit you,” I said.
Nevah gave me one more hug, and then she was gone. Coral and Aurielle said their goodbyes next. We all had one final breakfast together in the teahouse.
“You all are welcome to visit me in Louisiana this summer, if you want to brave the heat and humidity,” Coral offered.
Aurielle wrinkled her nose. “I’ll be perfectly content in Connecticut, thank you very much.”
“San Antonio isn’t going to be much better, heat wise,” Yasmin sighed. “But Jordan will be there, so that’s all that matters.”
“A whole summer with your love. Poor you,” Coral teased.
“We’re not official yet. It doesn’t really make sense for us to date while I’m still in school. But he’s hoping I end up working at a botanical field office in Texas when I’m done at Evergreen.”
“Y’all are thinking way too far ahead.” Coral pursed her lips. “We’re young. Let’s focus on one season at a time. I’m not even thinking about next school year, let alone what happens after that.”
“Sure, you aren’t, Miss International Plant Relations,” Aurielle said, raising her eyebrows at Coral.
“That’s a loose career goal, not wedding plans.” Coral elbowed Yasmin, who rolled her eyes.
“Wedding plans? Now who’s the one thinking too far ahead? What are your plans for the summer, B?” Yasmin turned to me, obviously trying to change the subject.
“I’ll be working at the café, taking a large summer course load at SCC. You know, normal human things.”
“And you’ll be practicing your Floracantus, since you’ll be off the academy grounds, right?” She said this part more quietly.
“Right,” I agreed, excited at the thought. I’d already brought home all my textbooks, including my copy of theCompendium Floracantus, and carefully stashed them in my closet.
We helped Coral and Aurielle to the vans that were taking students to the small local airport, where some of their parents had chartered flights home. Our friends waved at us one last time as they climbed in the van.
After the vans drove away, I sighed. “It’s just you and me, Yasmin. I’m glad you’re sticking around for the SCC art gala.”
