THEIR FRESHMAN YEAR AT UPENNcame and went in the blink of an eye. Living in a dorm with Gemma had felt like their first glimpse at a real life together, navigating everything from all-night homework dates to wild weekends as a couple. The two had quickly found a balance between study and mischief, soaking up every moment of their newfound independence together.
Caitlin loved Gemma with a fierceness that felt like fate. But as they each dove deeper into their classes, a cold worry began to spread through her for the first time, wondering if their shared dream of acting might actually end up dividing them. The idea of competing for auditions and agents or worse, of spending entire seasons apart, had settled on her heart and refused to leave. She had begun to avoid picturing the roadmap of their futures now—too many routes didn’t lead back to each other. Caitlin had done her best to keep her fears to herself, hoping that time would prove her wrong.
SOPHOMORE YEAR WAS HARDER TOhold together. Caitlin and Gemma had moved off campus into a two-bedroom apartment with Hayley and another friend from the business school, making stolen moments scarce.
As a student athlete, Gemma’s shoulders hunched under the pressure of maintaining her grades while Caitlin chased the full college experience—always saying yes to new people and places, or a night out. Caitlin called it networking. Gemma called it a distraction.
Tension began to pool in small silences, occasionally flaring into arguments. Neither knew how to bridge the gap that had opened between them.
By the end of their second semester, Caitlin was unraveling. Unlike those around her, the knots in her stomach had nothing to do with the arrival of finals week. Each time Gemma promised they would mend their relationship over the upcoming summer, a band of panic had tightened around Caitlin’s ribs. She had been keeping a secret, one that chewed her from the inside. The thought of speaking it terrified her, but she was running out of time.
Mentally exhausted from her first final exam, Cailtin returned to their apartment and found Gemma studying at her desk.
“Hi cutie,” Gemma greeted her, standing to wrap her arms around Caitlin. “How was the exam?”
Caitlin kissed Gemma’s forehead and slipped her arms around her waist. “It was fine. I was a little distracted,” she said, letting herself sag into the embrace. She breathed Gemma in, steeling herself.
“What’s going on?” Gemma asked, gently pulling Caitlin toward their bed.
Caitlin wasn’t ready, not at all, but the clock on her cowardice had run out. They’d be packing to go back to New Hope soon, and Gemma deserved her honesty.
She settled onto their quilted bedspread beside Gemma, tracing the stitching absentmindedly. “You remember that trip I took to LA, right before spring break?”
“Yeah?” Gemma replied tentatively, like she was bracing herself.
“Well, I did visit some friends, but there was another reason I went.”
“Is there someone else?” Gemma asked, the color draining from her face.
“No! No,” Caitlin rushed, cupping Gemma’s cheeks and giving her a soft kiss. “Oh my God, no. Of course not.”
Gemma’s walnut eyes searched her own for answers, her eyebrows threaded together in concern.
“I had an audition for a movie.”
“That’s great, babe! Why didn’t you tell me?” Gemma lit up at the news, making Caitlin feel both seen and foolish. Gemma seemed so impossibly proud of her that Caitlin felt dirty for keeping the information to herself.
“I didn’t want to jinx it.” Her voice was small. “I knew it was a long shot—I mean, I’m nobody. I just thought it’d be good practice.” Caitlin looked up at Gemma, needing her to understand. “But I got the call last week. I got the part, Gemma.”
Gemma started cheering, bouncing a little in her seat on the bed. “Caitlin, that’s amazing! I’m so proud of you!”
Caitlin stayed still beside her, heart splintering.
Noticing, Gemma froze. “Wait, why don’t you look happy about it?”
Caitlin took a deep breath. “I am… It’s just… when finals are over, I’m moving to LA.”
“Wait, what? Like for the summer?”
“No.” Caitlin gripped Gemma’s hands, afraid to let go. “My agent thinks that I shouldmovethere, permanently, to start my acting career. I can finish school there if I want.”
Gemma pulled her hands free and started pacing, rubbing her temples. “Your agent? Since when do you have an agent?”
Caitlin’s hands lay limply in her lap, cold without Gemma’swarm skin.
“It all happened so fast,” Caitlin started. “After the audition, agents just started calling. I really liked one of them—Sandy. She helped me find a place out there.”
Gemma sank into her desk chair, head in hands. “So you auditioned in LA, took a job, and signed a lease without eventalkingto me?”
