“Let’s grab some lunch,” Matthew suggests, tugging me gently toward a bright blue food truck with the words “Bagels & More” painted across the side. “Their turkey clubs are killer.”
I don’t argue. The tour and meeting with the counselor have left me starving. Matthew orders two turkey club bagels, adding extra bacon, and we find a bench nearby to sit on. I take a bite, and my eyes widen in surprise.
“Oh my god, this is amazing,” I say, enjoying the salty turkey, crispy bacon, and smooth cream cheese spread on a chewy bagel.
Matthew watches me, his own sandwich halfway to his mouth. “I knew you’d like it. You’ve been missing out.”
We talk and laugh as we eat, just enjoying our time together. My skin basks in the gentle heat of the sun, and the lively chatter of students adds a comforting ambiance. I sit there, absorbing the sights, sounds, and smells around me. This is what I always imagined college would feel like—new beginnings, endless possibilities, and this strange, exhilarating sense of freedom.
Once we finish our meal, Matthew takes me to the athletic complex to meet Coach Woosley, the lacrosse coach. I’m nervous all over again, but the moment we walk into his office, I feel a little better. Coach Woosley is completely different from what I imagined. He’s tall, with broad shoulders and a weathered face, but has a warmth to his smile that immediately puts me at ease.
“Matthew’s told me a lot about you,” he says, shaking my hand firmly. “Glad to finally meet you in person. I’m excited to have you on the team.”
“Thank you,” I say, my voice quieter than usual. “I’m really looking forward to it.”
He gives me a rundown of the team’s schedule, the practice sessions, and, of course, the upcoming charity dinner.
“You’ll be giving a speech at the dinner,” he says, sliding a piece of paper across his desk toward me. “Just a short one about your scholarship and what it means to you.”
A speech. In front of a room full of people. I feel my stomach drop. Public speaking has never been my thing, and the thought of standing up in front of everyone makes me break out in a cold sweat.
“Don’t worry,” Coach Woosley says, noticing my apprehension. “It doesn’t have to be anything fancy. Just speak from the heart.”
“Yeah, you’ll do great,” Matthew adds, nudging me. “I’ll help you practice if you want.”
I nod, trying to push the nerves aside. This is just part of it. I’ll handle it. Somehow.
As we leave the athletic complex, Matthew glances over at me. “You okay?” With a gentle touch, he grabs my hand, intertwining our fingers.
“I think so,” I say with a nervous laugh. “I mean, a speech? That’s a little… unexpected.”
“You’ve got this,” he reassures me, squeezing my hand. “And like I said, I’m here to help.”
We walk hand-in-hand back toward his place. The sun has started to dip lower in the sky, casting a golden hue over the buildings and trees. It feels like a dream, walking through this campus that will soon be mine. It’s overwhelming, but with Matthew beside me, it’s also exciting.
“I can’t wait for the guys to get here,” I say, breaking the silence as we near his place.
He smirks teasingly. “Ready to be done with our one-on-one time already?”
I laugh and bump him with my shoulder. “No, it’s not that. I just miss them. And I was worried about them going to the house.”
Matthew’s face softens. “Have you talked to Holly since that morning?”
I shake my head, my mood shifting slightly. “I have no interest in speaking to my mom.”
“Everything went okay with the guys going to get your stuff?” Matthew asks, his voice gentle.
I nod, squeezing his hand. “Yup. Your dad took my mom out of the house so she wasn’t there.”
Matthew sighs, his expression softening further. “I’m glad. I’m sure you’re ready to have more of your stuff here.”
I smile, feeling lighter now that it’s all settled. “I am,” I say, giggling a little. “Thank you for letting me crash at your place… and sorry it turned out this way.”
He stops walking and turns to face me, his hand coming up to cup my cheek. His thumb brushes softly across it, making my heart skip a beat. “Don’t be sorry,” he whispers, his voice sincere. “All of this… it led to you. So I’m glad it happened the way it did.”
For a moment, we just stand there, the world fading away. It’s just us, and everything feels right. I rise up on my toes and kiss him, my heart racing.
Matthew’s lips are warm and soft against mine, and the rest of the world just melts away. His other hand wraps around my waist, pulling me closer, and I let myself sink into the kiss.
