For some dumb reason, I open my curtains and stand in my window. If Elle were to look up here, she’d see me, but some guy has her attention. His hand touches her leg, and she doesn’t move it, nor does she shy away from him. In this moment, I make my decision.
“Yes, you need to know if I’m going to take the position, right?”
“I do. I don’t think I have to say it would be foolish to pass this up. It’s truly a once in a lifetime opportunity to work with the best in the business. Not to mention, the pool of students is stellar. You’re in good company, Ben."
“Thank you, Professor, for nominating me. I’d be honored to fill the spot.”
“Well, that’s wonderful news. When I didn’t hear right away, I feared you were going to pass.”
Believe me, I thought about it.
“No, sir. I only needed some time to process everything and try to figure out what to do with my apartment while I’m living in New York.”
“If I can help in any way, let me know. I’ll facilitate the necessary paperwork and get you in contact with your manager in New York. Ben, I don’t have to tell you what a successful internship will do for your career—”
“No, sir, you definitely don’t.” I move away from the window, unable to watch the flirting going on downstairs. After my professor and I hang up, I’m left to listen to the party or get the hell out of here. Option B it is.
As quickly as possible, I head down the stairs, unable to avoid the action. My name’s called again, but I disregard it, choosing to ignore her instead. It kills me to do this, but she’s left me with no choice. If I’m going to pursue my dreams, I need to put Elle on the back burner for now because not doing so will only make me long for a relationship I can’t have, at least not with her.
11
Elle
“Last year, your professors gave you a pass due to the situation with your sister, but according to this report, your grades are barely above passing.”
My advisor tosses a sheet of paper onto his desk and leans back in his chair. He steeples his fingers, and I can’t tell from where I’m sitting if they’re touching his mouth or not. He looks like a police officer, giving an interrogation, yet I’ve done nothing wrong unless you count being a terrible student, focused on everything other than school. George Tesh has been my advisor from day one, kissing my dad’s ass the minute we stepped onto campus at the beginning of my senior year. It was the worst display of brown-nosing I have ever witnessed, and believe me, I’ve seen a lot.
“This is normally where you give a response,” he says.
I shrug. “I don’t know what you expect me to say. Guilty as charged. I haven’t taken my studies seriously this year.”
“And why is that?”
Who does this man think he is, my dad? It’s not a crime to slack off in school. It’s not like I’m on scholarship or grants. My parents pay for my tuition, so if anyone should have a problem with my grades, it should be them, yet I don’t see them sitting here.
“I’m not sure I have a valid answer for you.”
“You do realize graduation is coming and at this rate, you won’t walk with your class.”
I say nothing.
George leans forward, his chair propelling him forward causing him to slam his hands down on top of his desk. Papers scatter as he tries to right himself. I stifle a laugh, but the scowl on his face tells me he’s not impressed.
“Listen, Elle. We were all sympathetic to the situation with your sister, but from what I understand, she’s doing well and is thriving in her own studies.”
How does he know this? What’s he doing, stalking my sister on the WAG’s of the NFL?
“We’d like to see the same for you.”
“I’m sure my parents would as well.”
George sighs. “Which brings me to another point. I spoke with your father—”
“Dad,” I say, interrupting him.
“I’m sorry?”
Why do people say “I’m sorry” when they don’t understand something? Shouldn’t they say, “Can you please repeat yourself” or “What do you mean?” Telling me, he’s sorry does nothing for him or me.