Secret crush

Chapter seventeen - Make up your mind

Ellie's POV:

Hunter is finally without a cast. That is good news for him. I don't know what else to say. I started thinking about university. I might know where I want to go. You know it's not an easy decision. The thing is that I wanted to start from the beginning. There is no guarantee that this will help me, but I have to try. I'll find new friends and will rethink my decisions. No one said that I had to do it far away from home. That is my decision. The only problem I have is my friend. I know how much he wants us to keep this friendship. I would like it, too. I still like him, but this will fade away. At least, this is what I think. I don't know what else can happen. If my feelings don't go away, I might search for him. I don't expect this to happen. I can meet someone else. It's never a priority, but it doesn't mean I won't use any opportunity. Maybe I prioritized myself too much. I'm not saying that it's a bad thing. Molly hasn't talked with me for a while. It's not like I care about her. She is the last thing on my mind. I won't see her after high school. Maybe most of my classmates will be in universities closer to this town. I'll be the different one by moving far away. I believe that this can help me feel better about myself. I hope that no one will get offended by my decision.

I have around four months until I graduate. It's time for me to make up my mind and decide what I want to do. It's not like I haven't been thinking about it for the past month. So far, no one knows where I want to go. I'm not sure if I want to tell Hunter. It's better if he doesn't know anything. Otherwise, he will get upset. I will talk with my parents about it. Mom might not want to let me go that far. I understand, but I want to think about myself. I want to be a better person.

Currently, I'm in class. I finished my test ten minutes earlier. I opened a notebook where I had printed a brochure for a university. I don't know how to say what I want without feeling guilty. Later, I looked at Hunter. I feel terrible for leaving him, but I have no choice. I'll do what's best for me. After the class, I waited for him. We went to our lockers. This boy can read me like an open book. I can't tell him that. It'll break his heart. I was lost in my thoughts when he tapped me, and I dropped my notebook.

- That is mine. Thanks.

- You are going to Miami.

- I. Um.

- Ellie, are you going to Miami?

- I don't know. I haven't decided it yet.

- It looks like the opposite to me.

- No, no. I was only checking it.

- Are you sure?

- Alright. I planned to go there.

- Why do you want to go so far away from everyone? What is going on?

- Nothing. I wanted to start from the beginning.

- You think that being far away is the solution.

- If no one knows me, I can be whoever I want. I can be myself without being judged.

- That is not true at all. People will judge you, but you shouldn't care.

- Please, don't get mad at me.

- What? Why would I be mad at you?

- I thought you wouldn't like it if I was away from you.

- I will never stop you from something you want. Don't even think about this.

- That is not my official decision. I haven't told my parents yet.

- Do you want me to tell you a secret?

- Which is?

- I listened to what you told me a few months ago.

- And?

- It might be a coincidence, but I decided to go to the same place as you.

- What? Really?

- Yes. I talked with my parents. Mom wasn't happy that I would be so far away from her.

- In that case, you can help me tell my parents.

- You can tell them that you'll be with someone you know.

- I'm not sure if this will help.

- Trust me. Everything will be fine.

- Did you know I would be there?

- No. You told me to think about myself.

- Yes.

- That is what I did. I was a hundred percent sure that you won't be with me.

- Me too.

- At least you won't be alone.

- Did your parents agree to let you go?

- We are still working on it.

- I'm afraid of my mom's reaction.

- When you decide to tell her, call me. I'll be there.

- Thank you.

I can't believe that we'll be in the same place. There is no way he did this on purpose. I never told anyone where I would go. I have other options. Well, they are closer to my hometown. Miami is a great place. I can always go to the beach when I'm tired of studying. Watching the sunrise has been on my list for quite a while. The thing is that I have to climb too high. After school, Hunter and I went to his house. His mom was there. I can use the chance to talk with her. The problem is that she might get mad at me. He went to his room.

- Miss Adams?

- Oh, hey, Ellie. How are you?

- I'm fine, thanks. Can I talk to you about something?

- Of course. What is it?

- Hunter told me that he would go to Miami.

- I know. I'm trying to make him stay here.

- How did you accept the news?

- How can I? I can't let him go that far away from me.

- Why not?

- Because I won't be able to help him if something happens. Why are you asking?

- I found out he would be at the same university as me.

- What? You will go there as well.

- I have been thinking about this.

- Is this why he is going?

- No. He wasn't supposed to know.

- What do you mean?

- I was sure he would get mad at me if I told him I would be far away. I had no idea he planned the same.

- How can I help you?

- I don't know how to tell my mom. She will react the same way as you.

- We are mothers. What do you expect from us?

- I think it will be good for me.

- I'm sorry, Ellie, but I can't help you.

- But.

- No. Hunter is not going to Miami. Final decision.

The talk with his mom didn't end well. She doesn't want to let him go. The worst part will be if our moms decide to team up. I went to his room to check on him. Of course, he asked what happened. He has to do a lot of convincing. His mom won't give up that easily. I understand her, but she should understand him. The money is not the problem. I believe that she is afraid he might not come back. I don't think this will happen, but you never know. My plan is not the same. I'll be back.

- It will take me some time. - Hunter said

- If you want it, don't give up. She will understand.

- I hope so.

- How is your dad? I'm sure he didn't reach this way.

- No. He doesn't know about me being away, but believes I can figure it out.

- Maybe you can use him.

- What do you mean?

- Talk with your dad and convince him to do the same with your mom.

- Why do you think it will work?

- It's worth a try. I can't guarantee what will happen.

- I might do it. What will you do with your parents?

- I have no clue. I don't know who will react better.

- That might be your dad.

- But I'm a girl.

- Oh, right. Maybe you can try it with your mom.

- Maybe.

- Do you want me to come?

- I would love that, but I better do this alone. No offense.

- Don't worry. I don't mind.

- I guess your wish will come true.

- What wish?

- You didn't want to be far away from me.

- True. Imagine if we were roommates.

- That won't happen. Boys and girls can't be in the same room.

- We can make an exception.

- That won't happen. It's more than enough that we'll be in the same place.

- If our parents let us go.

- They better do it.

- I'm crossing my fingers for that.

- Me too.

I was with Hunter in the afternoon. For dinner, I went home. My parents were already there. I don't know how to tell them. There is a chance that they won't get mad at me. Well, I'm not sure about this. Many things can happen. I went to my room to leave my things. I only took out the brochure. I know what they might say, but I want to go there. It's a good chance for me to do something for myself. Hunter will be there. I won't tell them that his mom said no. I waited for them to sit down.

- I want to talk with you two about something.

- Is it a bad thing? - my dad asked

- No, it's not. It depends on the point of view.

- We are listening to you.

- I think I know where I want to go to study.

- That is great. Where is the university?

- Here. I printed this out.

- It looks good. That is not expensive, either.

- Miami! You want to go to Miami! - my mom said

- What?

- Read where the university is.

- Ellie?

- I know what you will say, but I want to try. Please.

- How do you think I'll let you that far away alone?

- I won't be alone. Hunter will be there.

- What? His parents let him go?

- Almost. Come on, dad. Please.

- You complained that we don't spend much time with you.

- I know, but I changed my mind. Being alone is not that bad. I want to start from the beginning.

- To start what? I'm sorry, but I can't agree to that. - my mom said

- Please. I'll do anything.

- It doesn't matter.

- Dad, you said it was affordable.

- This doesn't change the fact that you will be in Miami.

- I'll be at home for every break. You can come to visit me.

- Ellie.

- That is the only thing I have ever wanted from you. Why can't you understand?

- We do, but try to understand us.

- I am. I won't ask for anything else.

- Let's say it like this. We'll do the same if you convince Hunter's parents to let him go.

- What? Really?

- Yes. That will be mission impossible, but good luck.

- I can do this. I'll convince his mom of that.

- I would love to see how you will do it. That will be interesting to watch.

- Wait and see.

Dad thinks that this is impossible, but I'll prove him wrong. I wonder if they have talked with Hunter's parents. He was so sure that I wouldn't have success. Nothing is impossible if you believe in it. First, I need a plan. I can be honest and tell his mom why I'm doing it. Well, I won't do it that way. I need a better strategy. I can ask my friend for help. I'm sure he has some tricks. Also, he knows his mom better than me. I can make something for her. She has to say yes. I figured out what I wanted to do, and I won't give up because of her. I will convince her. I hope that she won't get mad at me.