Chapter 22
"On the count of three, we both open them, Okay?" Ethan suggested, his eyes glued to the envelope in his hands, his mere future right at the tips of his fingers.
"Mhm." Chloe mumbled, looking down at her envelope as well.
Ethan had showed up to Chloe's house with a letter from a California university, nervous and anxious, wanting to open it with Chloe by his side, only to see that Chloe was also mailed a letter from the same school, except he ceased to notice that she had indeed two letters- One from California, one from New York.
"One," Chloe took a breath, her teeth biting down on her bottom lip as her fingers trembled slightly.
"Two," Chloe stole a glance at Ethan, watching his eyes glint with nervousness and excitement. They planned it all out, they were both going to go to California, they were both going to go to the same university, and they were both going to happy- and hopefully things were looking their way.
"Three."
Both of them hastily ripped open the letters from different universities, Chloe ceasing to read her letter as she watched Ethan's blue eyes scan the paper.
"Oh my god," Ethan gasped, "Oh..My..God."
"What does it say?" Chloe asked.
"I got in..I got in!" He shouted with a smile, scooping up Chloe in his arms to swing her around in a small circle. Chloe smiled for him, pressing a kiss to his cheek as he let her down and gushed in happiness. he didn't think he'd get in to be honest, he thought he was just a dumb fuck who only passed grades because his mom was his teacher. He was happy that he proved himself and everyone who doubted him wrong.
"I can't believe this! God- what does yours say?" Ethan asked, giving Chloe a smile.
Chloe's smile went unnoticed as she looked down at her paper, her doe brown eyes taking in all this information.
Dear Chloe Davies,
After thoughtful consideration of your early decision candidacy, the Admissions Committee has decided to deny your application. By informing you of this final decision at this time, it is our hope that you will have ample time to consider options other than University of California Los Angeles for your education and to file other applications. Your early decision application was reviewed with great care and sincere interest. The task of selecting 1,090 first-year students from more than 16,000 applicants is a difficult and time-consuming process. Unfortunately, we must deny many highly qualified applicants as the majority of students who apply present records demonstrating that they would succeed both academically and personally at the College. I am sorry that the decision on your application was not favorable, and I would like to offer you my best wishes for a fine college experience and my appreciation for your interest in UCLA. Sincerely, Heather Sadies Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid. Chloe looked up at Ethan, watching his eyes dance with excitement as he waited for her to announce her acceptance into the same school-only she hasn't got accepted. She felt embarrassed and upset and wanted to cry, but knowing that she also had another letter in her other hand, she stayed quiet.
"I didn't get in, Ethan." Chloe quietly spoke, looking down at the floor as she sighed softly.
This wasn't their plan, They were supposed to live happily ever after in California where they'd go to frat parties and have late night dates at the sandy beaches- they were both supposed to get into the same school and now that was ruined.
"What?" Ethan's eyes widened as he moved next to Chloe, peering over her shoulder to look at her letter that indeed had denied her to the university.
"Oh god, I'm so sorry, Chloe," He softly spoke, putting an arm around her for comfort. Ethan was sad that she wouldn't be attending the same school as him, this just made him asking her to be his girlfriend ten times harder because he knew that long distant relationships didn't last.
"Whatever, that school sucks anyways-sorry Ethan." Chloe murmured.
"I also got this one.. from New York," Chloe held up the white envelope. Ethan stared at it, feeling guilty of thinking how much he didn't want her to get into that school. in all hopes, he'd want her to follow him to California where they could still be with each other even if she wasn't attending university with him.
"Read it," Ethan encouraged. He wanted to see what lied beneath the envelope as badly as Chloe.
She opened the letter, reading off the first sentence that surely had congratulations written in black typing ink.
"I got in." Chloe spoke slowly. she couldn't believe it. She was sad that her and Ethan were going to go separate ways, but at the same time the thought of living in an amazing city and getting away from this hell hole she called home excited her.
"Chloe," Ethan quietly spoke, ashamed of himself for even asking her this, but nonetheless, did it anyways.
"Don't go to New York. Come with me to Cali where we can live together, I don't want to be without you." The words tumbled out of his mouth, making Chloe stare at him with slight widened eyes.
"Wha.. But- but we didn't get into your school." Chloe bit the inside of her cheek.
"I know, but you can apply for UCLA next summer and get in. For the mean time we can rent an apartment together or something, I don't know, I just don't want to be without you next to me." Ethan frowned.
"Ethan..."
"you're asking me to follow you to California?
