Page 53 of Walk With Me
“I hope so. Thankfully I don’t rely on it for a scholarship, so it wouldn’t be the end of the world if I couldn’t continue.”
“And what will you major in?”
“Sports and Exercise Science. I’ve already applied to Columbia and Harvard.”
I hate this is the first time Eden will learn about my college choices. We should have already discussed it days ago in private. Probably after our first date.
“Wow. Good for you,” Rick says.
Eden is quiet. I turn to look at her without making a big deal of it. Before I can panic, she slides her hand on my thigh and squeezes it gently.
“What about you?” I ask Eden. Might as well find out now.
“Oh, um, CalArts and Rhode Island.”
“They’re great schools. Have you applied yet?”
“I have the applications. Just need to sit down and do them.”
“She has her portfolio done, though,” Liz chimes in. “Some beautiful work. She’ll get in, no problem.”
Eden blushes.
“Can I see your pieces?”
“’Course. I’ll show you after dinner if you want.”
So the bandage has been ripped off. The schools have been named. We will more than likely end up in completely different parts of the country in September.
“You’ve both got plenty of time to think about college. Don’t forget the here and now,” Liz says, looking at Eden and me with serious eyes.
“Aye, that’s true,” Rick tacks on. “Eden’s gotta crush this 5k.”
The reminder makes Eden groan and drop her head to the table, which breaks the tension. I stroke her back,laughing. Eden squeezes my thigh one more time and winks.
We get through dinner and dessert without any more talk of the future. Rick, Liz, and Eden try to coax Jenna into a conversation, but she’s just as stubborn as her sister by the look of it.
When I’m shepherded into the living room with the youngest Sawyer, I grab my chance to talk to her. I’ve got a feeling I know how to get her chatting.
As soon as Eden is in the kitchen helping her parents clean up, I drop in the seat next to Jenna. Clearly, my sudden proximity catches her off guard. I can already see the scowl forming.
“So, you want to cheer, huh?”
Instead of a scowl, I get two very wide eyes. “How…how did you know that?” she says quietly. Her eyes dart to the living room door. Is she worried about her family knowing?
“Just a hunch. I’m right, though.”
She looks like I’ve caught her cheating on a test or something.
“M-maybe.”
Cocking my head, I give her the room to elaborate. When she remains silent, I try again.
“You know we have a junior squad at Holcroft, right?”
“Yeah, I know.”
“I didn’t see you at try outs. Come to think of it, I’ve never seen you around at all.”
