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He stands from his seat slowly, confusion written all over his face. “How did you get here?”
“I walked.”
“Youwalked?”
I don’t answer, leaving the living room and heading for the stairs. Caleb reaches his bedroom a few seconds after me.
“What the hell is going on, Lennon? If you wanted to come over, I could have—”
“I got the Fulright Fellowship.”
His expression immediately transforms, lighting up with pride and excitement. But nothing knowing. No sign he suspected it. “That’s amazing. Congrat—”
I don’t let him get the whole word out. “Do you know George Coleman?”
“I…sort of? He’s good friends with my dad, used to come over a lot when we lived in New York. I think he did some journalism stuff, actually. Why? Do you want me to introduce you?”
“He’s the chair of the Fulright committee, Caleb. He’s the one who decides who gets the fellowship.”
“Decides who gets the fellowship… You think Iset this up? That I had them award it to you?” Caleb shakes his head. “Seriously, Lennon?”
“I don’t know what to think, Caleb! One girl already told me to my face that’s why I got it. That’s what everyone else will think too.”
“Who cares?”
“Icare! Did you pull some strings to get me in here too? Is the dean your godfather or something?”
“Lennon, listen to yourself. Did you ever consider you’re just an amazing candidate and that’s why you got it? I doubt George even knows you’re my girlfriend. My dad talks business, mostly, even with his friends.”
“He knows.”
“What? How?”
“Because I wrote about you in the damn essay, Caleb!”
Caleb pauses, obviously not expecting that answer. “I still think you’re overreacting,” he finally says. “And I don’t think it has anything to do with the fellowship.”
“What do you mean? What do you think we’re talking about?”
“I think you’re freaking out because you don’t want it, Lennon. Because you didn’t think you’d get it, and since you did you feel like you have to take it.”
“Well, you’rewrong.”
But I’m not sure he is, actually.
“Fine. What do you want me to do, Lennon? Call George and ask him why he picked you?”
“No. I just…I just need to think.” All the outrage that fueled my walk over here has fizzled, leaving me feeling confused and empty.
Caleb takes a step closer. “Lennon…”
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have come over.”
“You can stay. We should talk.”
I shake my head. “We will. I just… I want to be alone right now.”
“Okay. I’ll drive you home,” he tells me.
