A Prom to Remember(49)

“Hey, so remember that time that we had synchronized emotional breakdowns?” Cora asked.

“Hmm, yeah, that sounds familiar,” Jacinta said.

“Does the offer still stand to talk more?”

“Yes. That was a forever offer,” Jacinta answered, even as Rocky nearly ripped her arm out of the socket while he ran to sniff at a telephone pole. “So what’s up?”

“So on top of wanting to break up with Jamie, I feel like college has been sort of ruined and I’m not sure I even want to go to Boston anymore,” Cora announced.

“Wow, that’s big. That’s a big deal.”

“I know. And I haven’t said it yet, and I didn’t have anyone to talk to today, and holy crap it feels so good to say it out loud!”

“What about—”

Cora held up her hand. “But I don’t want to talk about it in terms of other people yet, just in terms of what the reality would look like if I didn’t go.”

“All right. I think I get it,” Jacinta said, nodding. “So what are you going to do?”

“Well, that’s the thing, isn’t it? My parents already put money down. I took placement tests; I filled out the roommate survey. What can I do?”

“You can go for the first semester or year and then transfer. That’s always an option.”

Cora nodded. “Yeah. I keep reminding myself that, but it’s like my brain is being super dramatic about all of this.”

“Well, let’s think about this logically. You could find out if any of the other schools you applied to have later deadlines for accepting admittance. You’d still lose your deposit, but maybe that would work?”

“Maybe,” Cora said. “I hadn’t really considered that.”

“Is there somewhere you have in mind instead?”

Cora shrugged. “No. And it sucks because Boston was my idea. I shouldn’t have to give it up for Jamie. See, my cousin went to Harvard and we went to visit her there once when I was ten. And I knew that was where I wanted to go to college. But it became pretty apparent that I wasn’t going to get in, you know, when I realized that I was just a normal overachieving student and not a supernova overachieving student.”

Jacinta nodded. “Ah yes. That realization.”

Cora smiled. “So somewhere along the line, Boston became the new dream.”

“Have you considered talking to him about this?” Jacinta asked. “I know you said before you didn’t want to talk about this in terms of anyone else, but you brought him up and really he’s pretty entwined in all of this.”

“No, I know. But I’m not going to talk to him until after prom. It feels really terrible to break up with him beforehand. Just way too mean, no matter how much I’m sort of over him.”

“I can see why you needed to get this off your chest.”

“Right? It’s been eating away at me all day. I swear I was about to get an ulcer.”

Jacinta smiled. “And who knows, maybe you’ll like it and won’t want to transfer. Maybe it’ll suit you. Or maybe Jamie will transfer.”

“I appreciate your optimism.”

“And really, it’s so silly to change your plans for just one boy.”

“I know. Thanks for listening.”

“You’re welcome,” Jacinta said as they turned a corner. “Well, this is Rocky’s stop. But seriously, if you need someone else to talk about this, text me anytime.”

“I might take you up on that,” Cora said. She gave Rocky one little pet, and then Jacinta walked up the long driveway to the back door of her neighbor’s house.

Cora turned on her heel and started to run. She felt freer than she had in years.

Then she got totally out of breath and decided to walk.

But she still felt pretty free.

Now she had to make it through prom.





Chapter 23

Cameron

Things were seriously looking up for Cameron during the week leading up to the prom.

For starters, on Tuesday before school he’d had an actual conversation with his stepdad over breakfast. It wasn’t anything earth shattering or life changing. As usual they were the last two to leave the house before work and school, but rather than sit in silence they talked about baby names.

Richard had been in an increasingly good mood since Cameron’s mom had announced her pregnancy, so it wasn’t even really that shocking when he struck up a conversation with Cameron. And yet, Cameron was mildly shocked.

“Your mother thinks we should name the baby Richard Jr. and call him RJ.”

Cameron wrinkled his nose but didn’t say anything, not wanting to offend his stepfather.

“I feel the same way,” Richard said. “If I’d wanted an RJ that’s what I would have named Landon.”

“And we don’t even know if it’s a boy yet.”

“We don’t. She just seems to think it’s a boy.”

“I don’t know,” Cameron said, finishing off his last spoonful of Frosted Flakes. “Might be nice to have a girl.”

“I said the same thing!” Richard exclaimed. “And your mother seemed surprised that I had this opinion.”

Cameron smiled. “And what would she want to name it if it was a girl? Richardette? Richardina? Is there a female version of Richard?”