The parents are chatting, but we’ve got news that we need to share. And I’ve been designated spokesman for the night.
When dinner is served, the table falls quiet, and I take this as my moment. “As you know, Damon has received offers to play hockey at Crowne Mawr and Yale.”
There’s a round of exclamation congratulating Damon and Adam.
I clear my throat and it dies down a little. “We were able to go down to Crowne Mawr last weekend to visit.” I got to go to the frat and Damon showed us the underground fighting area. We got to tour the drama department. We also looked at housing options.
“I’m going to tell you something, and some of you might be like you’re too young to make decisions like this or what if you break up or whatever trite wisdom you think we haven’t already thought of between the four of us. We’ve weighed all the pros and cons. None of us is settling for anything less than we would want for ourselves. But we made this decision together and intentionally.”
I stop and look all the parents in the eyes because this is important.
“This is our future and we’ve decided to make our decision as a group. We want to stay together in college, and we believe it’s possible. We know that Damon and Evan both have careersthat may pull us in different directions, but we want to spend our college lives together.”
My dad meets my eyes. “So you’re all deciding to go to either Yale or Crowne Mawr as a group?”
“Yes, and we’ve decided.”
“On?” Adam asks, looking at Damon.
“Crowne Mawr fits all of us better,” I say. “It’s always been my first choice. Damon loves the team already. Evan will be able to do acting and directing simultaneously. And the pre-law is one of the top programs in the U.S. for Hawk.”
I take Evan’s hand in mine and she gives me that smile that makes my heart feel like it’s going to explode into confetti. Damon and Hawk nod to me. We’re a team on this. We’ll always be a team.
Dad lifts his glass and nods to me. “To Crowne Mawr.”
All the adults lift their glasses and so do we. There’s a lot of clinking before everyone takes a sip. To a future together.
EvanAnn
It’s the first hockey game of the season and I sit in the stands with Mark and Keira. Mom and Adam are also here, but they’re over with Lisa and Alex, and Naomi and Paul. I’m wearing Cam’s jersey this game.
He caught me first last night when we went to our spot. It’s almost too cold for that kind of play, but we stayed fairly covered during it and still had fun. And more fun when we went home and spent the night together.
“Hi, is this seat taken?”
I look up in surprise at Mia’s voice. She’s wearing Fletcher’s jersey and a decidedlyuncertain of her welcomesmile.
I stand and for a second hesitate before I open my arms and we hug each other. Our words crash over each other.
“I’m so sorry I couldn’t talk?—”
“I missed you so much?—”
“My parents made me stay home?—”
“The play wasn’t the same without you?—”
“I’m still dating Fletcher and Liam and they’ve been great?—”
“Jackson kidnapped me.”
“What?” Mia pulls back. “Wait, what? Kidnapped?”
The buzzer goes off, and I pull Mia down to sit next to me. I fill her in on the whole Brandt and Jackson and even Chase drama. Our parents kept the story out of the news, but the rumor mill around school was rampant.
“You know, I forgot Brandt said to be friends with someone like you. That dirty bastard. I didn’t even remember him from auditions. And I really didn’t fuck Chase, but we did make out a little when I was touring the school. But he didn’t say he had a girlfriend. Not that that would have stopped me. I’m a horrible person.”
“No, you’re not. You’re my friend. And I’ve really missed you.” I hold her hand.
