Raelynn
“Are you sure you have to cancel? I mean, I’m sure Dad’s work will understand.”
Michael and I sat on the couch, listening as Allison bartered with her parents. We looked at one another with knowing looks. Our weekend was about to be flushed down the toilet.
“I get it. I understand. No, no, no, I’m not disappointed. I just know how much you were looking forward to this. Are you okay?”
I sighed as I pushed myself off the couch. I gathered up the snacks Allison had handed to me earlier and pressed them into my backpack. No use sitting on the couch if we had to get out of here before her parents got back.
“An hour out? Gotcha. Want me to order a pizza or something? I know that always makes you feel better.”
Michael grumbled. “Better get a move on.”
The two of us began packing ourselves up as Allison hung up the call. She came back into the room with a sorrowful look on her face. I held up my hand. I didn’t want her feeling bad for this. It wasn’t her fault. I mean, her mother was a stay-at-home mom, sure. But her father owned his own business. A few of them, in fact. And that always made for a very volatile schedule. This wasn’t the first weekend extravaganza his work had impeded, and it wouldn't be the last.
Allison sighed. “Well, I guess this is as good a time as any to tell you guys.”
I paused. “What do you mean?”
She shrugged. “I was hoping to celebrate this weekend. But since my parents are on their way back from the airport…”
Michael paused. “You got in somewhere, didn’t you?”
Allison smiled softly. “I got into UCLA. My first pick. I just got the acceptance letter a couple days ago. I’m officially in their architecture program.”
“Oh. My. Gosh!”
I squealed with delight as I rushed toward my best friend. I picked her up, swinging her around as laughter fell from her lips. Michael pulled her away from me and hugged her close. The two of them shared a long embrace as I watched, smiling from ear to ear. I walked up behind Allison and rubbed her back. Michael tucked her head underneath his chin while he held her close.
And for a split second, I was jealous of the relationship blooming between them.
Michael murmured. “I’m so proud of you.”
I smiled. “So am I, Allison. Really.”
She sighed. “That really takes a load off my shoulders, you know?”
“So what does that mean for your senior year? Can you coast it now?”
He chuckled. “She’ll have to submit her final report cards at the end of every semester. Just to make sure she keeps her grades up.”
“Well, that’s bullshit.”
Allison giggled. “I’m just so glad I got in, you know? I didn't want to leave California in order to study, and now I don’t have to.”
“Which means we can see each other all we want.”
She turned around, facing me. “Exactly.”
I embraced her again, hugging her close and swinging her from side to side. Michael wrapped his arms around both of us, trying to get back in on the action. I looked up at him, giving him a knowing wink. And after he was done blushing furiously, we all stepped away from one another.
“Ice cream. Sunday afternoon. That’s what we’ll do to celebrate,” I
said.
Michael nodded. “And it’s on me.”
Allison rolled her eyes. “Not everything has to be on you.”