AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"You know what? I'm actually okay.'' I admit, honestly.
"Like, does it suck that I got into a huge fight with my parents? Sure, but I feel like it was needed. I've been holding in all that anger and resentment for so long, it felt good to finally release it."
"Oh okay. Well, I'm glad then," Nate says, sounding bewildered.
"I was up all night worrying about you. I almost called so many times, but I wanted to give you some space."
"Thank you baby, but honestly, I'm okay, I think."
We sit together in my bed for ages, talking, relaxing, and watching morning TV.
"I'm going to go take these downstairs," Nate says as he picks up the plates and glasses Nana brought up containing our lunch about an hour ago.
"I can do that," I say, reaching for the plate, but he pulls it back.
"Honestly, babe, it's fine. I want to thank your Nana for letting me come over and hang out here anyway."
I can't help but smile as I hear him head downstairs and begin chatting to my grandparents. I creep out onto the landing to listen more and can hear the playful way he and my pops are teasing each other downstairs. I creep back into my room and load up my laptop.
Waking up and spending my morning with Nate here just makes it feel even more like home. It makes me even more sure of my decision about college. Last night was like the final wake-up call I needed to realize that regardless of what I do with my life, it will never be good enough for my dad. It also made me realize I never want to be like either of them.
I’ve been going back and forth for weeks, trying to decide what I should do. I know my parents want me to attend one of the Ivy League schools, major in business, and become ‘rich and powerful’ like them. But that's just not for me.
I'm not concerned about money or status. All I want is to be happy. And here in Washington, with Nate and my grandparents, is what makes me happy. Staring at the two acceptance letters, I make my choice and hit accept. It feels like a weight has been lifted off my chest, making me sure of my decision. "You look happy," Nate says from behind me.
"I am. I finally chose my college," I say excitedly.
"Amazing! I'm so proud of you. So when do you leave?" Nate asks.
"I don’t," I admit with a huge grin.
"What do you mean? You got accepted into Georgetown."
"I turned it down. I'm going to go to the local college. I want to stay here with you and Nana."
"But why? You're smart, Bella. Don't throw the chance away. Especially not for me. Don't let me hold you back from your dreams. I'll be here waiting for you, no matter how long you're gone. We can make the distance work. I can fly to see you, and you can come visit me, Bella," Nate says and it's clear he's in shock and spiraling, so I reach up, placing both my hands on his face.
"I don't want to. I would rather not leave again. Be forced to live in some crappy dorm, surrounded by people I don't know, getting lonelier by the second. I spent most of my life alone, doing what everyone else wanted. And I'm done," I admit, feeling strong and powerful for the first time in my life.
"I’m choosing me for once. I'm picking happiness and family. I want to be here, surrounded by all those I love. With you, Nana, and Pops. I want to study art and maybe look into teaching in the future."
"But you could do all that at Georgetown. You could meet all the right people, make a great future for yourself, and own a gallery like your mom," Nate suggests, trying to change my mind, but I don't need to listen.
"But that's not what I want. I'm not concerned about having a fancy salon with fancy clients. Like you said, my mom has all that, and she still doesn't seem happy."
"So what do you want then?" Nate asks, still looking at me like I've sprouted a second head.
"I want to be happy. I want to paint because I love it, not because it pays the bills. I want to go on and teach the next generation of artists one day. I want to settle down with the man I love and build a family. One built on love and happiness, not just money," I explain, waving my arms around and becoming even more animated as I share my vision with him.
"Are you sure? I don't want you to wake up one day, ten years from now, and feel like you missed out on your future because of me."
"I won't because you are my future, Nate—you, my grandparents, our friends—that's what I want for my future."
Nate surprises me by scooping me up and spinning me around. "Then I couldn't be happier. I was dreading you leaving, but I never wanted to hold you back."
"You're not. This is my choice. No one else’s but mine."
"In that case, go and get dressed. I want to take you out to celebrate," Nate says, finally putting me down.
