"Gavin, what are you talking about?"
"You can't just leave!"
Jeff jumps to his feet. "Dude, is this about your dad? Because we will literally fight him?—"
"It's not about my dad," I say quickly.
"Then what?—"
"Are you transferring?" Rex demands. "Because whatever school is poaching you, we can make a counteroffer. I don't know what, but we'll figure it out."
"It's not?—"
"Is someone dying?" Jaren looks genuinely concerned. "Please tell me no one is dying."
"No one is dying!"
Ian stands up, hands on his hips. "Then what in the ever-loving fuck is going on?"
I wait for the noise to die down. It takes a while.
Finally, when the room is something approaching quiet, I take a breath.
"Doc got accepted into a pre-med program," I say. "A really prestigious one. He beat out thousands of applicants and was one of twenty-five students worldwide chosen for this program."
I look down at Doc, who's blushing furiously but smiling.
"It's in Switzerland," I continue. "And I'm going with him."
More silence.
Then—
"Holy shit," Tyler breathes, even though he already knew.
"Switzerland?" Jeff looks stunned. "Like... Europe, Switzerland?"
"That's the one."
"With the chocolate?" Rex asks.
"And the cheese," I confirm.
"And the mountains," Jaren adds helpfully.
"Those, too."
The stunned silence stretches for another beat. Then, slowly, it transforms into something else.
Cheering.
Guys are on their feet, clapping, shouting congratulations. Jeff tackles me in a hug. Rex ruffles my hair. Ian claps me on the back so hard I nearly fall over.
"Doc, you absolute genius!" someone yells.
"Gavin, you lucky bastard!"
"Switzerland! Holy shit!"
