“Yes. Yes. Yes.”
“Okay.”
“Okay?” I shriek. “That’s it? Just okay?”
“Well, I haven’t decided on a major yet, and currently, the only thing that interests me is art history. USC has a decent program.”
“What about NYU?” Addie is one grade above me, like Nate. She’s supposed to start college in September.
“You’re not at NYU. I’ve lived in New York my whole life. I think a little Cali sunshine is in my future.”
“I’m so dang excited. What if you don’t get in? What if I don’t get in?”
“I already did. You will too.”
“So cocky. But seriously.”
She widens her eyes. “Seriously, I got in.”
“What? When? How the heck did that happen?”
She pulls her bottom lip between her teeth. “I have a good GPA and killed the SATs. Plus, USC is a private school, and my parents will pay in full. No loans.”
I lift a questioning brow. “How well did you do?”
“Near perfect.” She scrunches up her eyes.
“What?!” I shriek, nearly giving myself whiplash as I sit up. “I’m smart, but…are you a genius or something?” I jump off the bed, running around in circles. “Holy cow, my best friend is a genius.”
“Maddie Grace,” she laughs out.
“So they will let you start school in September, just like that?”
“My parents called, and they agreed to let me start in January. I’m going to travel with my parents around Asia while they work for the first semester.”
I shake my head in disbelief. Driving to Atlanta seemed like an adventure a month ago, yet now I’m surrounded by people who “summer in the Hamptons” and “travel around Asia.”
“I have a billionaire boyfriend and a genius smarty-pants best friend. Are we in some parallel universe?”
She howls with laughter. “Nope. You’re going back to Georgia in two weeks, unfortunately.”
“Ugh. Way to ruin the moment.” I walk over to her and hug her tight. “I can’t believe this. My life is so awesome right now. I don’t want to go back.”
She squeezes me back. “Mine sucks. I didn’t realize how big your boobs were. What the hell, Maddie?”
I choke out a laugh and step back when I realize I’m still half-naked and look down.
“They’re average.”
“Girl. There is nothing average about you. Now, let’s get you ready. I’m doing your makeup.”
I walk down the trail to Cabin Ten, Leo and Mase’s cabin, but at this point, it might as well be Nate’s too.
He crashes on their couch every night.
Nate wanted to get me from my cabin, but I needed a minute alone in the fresh air to calm my nerves.
I’ve never had a boyfriend, so meeting Nate’s parents is a big deal. Even if I’ve “met” Rosa and Javier, it’s different now. Not to mention his brothers and sister are coming too.
