Chapter Two

Chapter Two
    I had to scan the letter one more time to make sure I had read it right. Sure enough, this is what was staring back at me:

    “Dear Miss Jameson,
    We have received your application for admission into the Fashion Institute of New York, and after reviewing your transcripts, we are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted. It is our understanding that you wish to enroll for the spring semester of 2007. Please make sure to register for your classes by the Deadline, January 10th. We look forward to meeting you, and helping you get one step closer to your dream.
    Sincerely,
    Miranda Johnson
    Dean Of Students
    The Fashion Institute of New York”
    I sat in silence for a moment, just staring at the paper in my hands. I did not know whether to feel ecstatic, or heartbroken. My acceptance into this school meant two things: I was one step closer to what I have always wanted to do, and; in order to chase my dreams, I had to leave everything I love behind. The house I have always known, my family, the town I knew like the back of my hand, and…David. Tears stung the backs of my eyes when I realized I could not take him with me. Or could I? I knew his dream was to play music for a living, and he could do that in New York, right? I sighed internally, knowing that his best chance would be waiting for him somewhere else. I could feel a tear begin to fall, but before I could stop it, it spotted the paper. I thought no one would notice, but David did. Upon seeing this, he stood up and walked over to me, wrapping his arms around me.
    “What’s the matter, Kallie? This is what you’ve always wanted, isn’t it?”
    “Yes, it is.” I replied, my voice cracking with emotion. “But, now that it’s here, I don’t know if I can do it.”
    “What do you mean?”   
    “I know that if I go to New York, I have to leave you. I don’t know if I can handle that” I sniffled. David pulled me closer, and I felt like if he held me any tighter, we would merge into one person. My mother, without saying a word, motioned to Sarah, indicating that they should leave us alone.
    “Kallie, this is your dream” David said soothingly, stroking my hair. “Don’t throw it away because of me. I don’t want to be the thing that holds you back.”
    “You’re not holding me back” I assured him. “I am.”
    “Do me a favor. Go get your portfolio.” I nodded and went upstairs to my room, grabbing my sketchbook off the desk. I brought it downstairs and walked over to David, holding the book out to him. He took it and sat on the couch, motioning for me to sit next to him. He began to flip through the pages, making sure to show me each one.
    “These are gorgeous. They deserve to be created, and worn. People would love them, Kallie. All you have to do is let go of your fear, and go for it.” I knew David was right, and if I argued, he’d pack for me and drag me onto the plane.
    “Okay, you’re right. I’ll go, on one condition.”
    “You name it, you got it.”
    “When I’m not home for holiday breaks, you have to come visit me once in a while. We have to talk on the phone, text, or skype every day, and you’re not allowed to forget me.” I teased.
    “Deal. You want to know something?”
    “What?”
    “I knew you would get in, so I’ve been saving airline miles to come out there and see you. I mean, Skype is nice, but hugging and kissing my computer screen would be ridiculous. And it would taste like windex, not like peppermint.”
    “I taste like peppermint?”
    “Yeah, you do” David chuckled. “I love it.” I blushed slightly, and giggled nervously. It seemed I’d been doing a lot more of that since David came around.
    “I bet if you kissed me right now, I wouldn’t taste like that” I challenged. “I’d probably taste more like chocolate, maybe strawberries.”
    “Is that a challenge?” David asked, almost seductively.
    “M-Maybe” I stuttered. The next thing I knew, David’s face was inches from mine, and I could feel his warm breath on my skin. I felt chills run throughout my entire body, and the feeling intensified once his lips touched mine. I gasped, making David pull away quickly.
    “Is something wrong?” he asked, concerned.
    “No, not at all” I grinned. “That was awesome.”
    “Well, now do you believe that I’ll always be here for you?”
    “More than anything else in the world” I replied softly.
    “Good. Just remember, Kallie, that no matter where our lives take us, I will always find the way back to you, and I know you will find your way back to me too.” I felt comfort from his words, and was able to stop stressing about this for a moment. I knew, though, that as the time for me to leave drew nearer, my anxieties would return.
    “I have an idea” David said suddenly, making me jump a little.
    “What?” I asked.
    “We should do something fun to get your mind off of this. Want to go bowling?” I groaned a little, making David chuckle. “What’s the matter? Do you not like bowling?”
    “I’m terrible at it” I whined. “Do you really think kicking my butt at this game is going to make me feel better? It just might make me feel worse” I joked, punching David’s arm playfully.
    “I can help you. Please, can we go? I really doubt you’re as awful as you think you are. You’re so good at everything you do, there’s no way you could be that horrible.”
    “Everyone has their faults, and things they suck at. Bowling happens to be mine.” I said, laughing.
    “Alright, we don’t have to go. But we should do something fun” David sighed.
    “You know what? We can go bowling. You have to promise me you’ll help me though, okay?”
    “Deal” David said, an ecstatic grin appearing on his face. I ran upstairs to let my mom know we were going out, and went to my room to grab a jacket before coming back down the stairs. David smiled when he saw me round the corner, and we were off once again. As we walked out the door, I tied a blue knitted scarf around my neck. David took notice right away.
    “That’s a nice scarf”
    “Thanks, my grandma made it for me. Every time I wear it, it makes me think of her” I explained, my voice trailing off as I finished the thought.
    “Oh, I see. When did she…”
    “When I was four. I didn’t get to see her that much, except around Christmas. I wish I could remember more about her, but I’m glad I have this. It makes me feel like she’s always with me, you know?” David nodded, and we began our walk to the local bowling alley. We walked inside to find the place almost empty, except for a few bowlers, and the man behind the counter. David and I walked up and greeted him, getting a less than enthusiastic response in return.
    “We’d like to pay for two games, please” The man grunted and put that into the computer, asked for our shoe sizes, told us which lane to go to, and went back to wiping down the counter. As we walked away, David leaned over to whisper something to me.
    “That guy looks like he enjoys his job” he said sarcastically. I giggled, and walked over to the rack of balls to pick out a bowling ball. I finally found one that was light enough for me, and carried it over  to the lane, setting it in its proper place. David entered in our names, and the game began. He let me go first, so I walked up, grabbed my ball, and David came up behind me to help me.
    “Alright, so do you see the dots on the lane, and how they form an arrow?
    “Yes” I replied, nodding.
    “Well, you want to aim the ball straight down the middle, or at least try to. Bring your arm straight back,” he gently guided me as he was explaining, “ and, bring it straight forward and let go of the ball.” I did as he instructed, managing to knock down six pins, leaving two on each side of the lane. I knew I probably would not be able to hit them all, but I was determined to at least get two of them.
    “I think I want to try this one myself” I said.
    “Alright. Good luck” David replied, kissing the top of my head. He stepped back and watched as I successfully managed to knock down not two, but three of the remaining pins. David walked over to me, scooping me into a bear hug.
    “That was amazing!” he said ecstatically. “Are you sure you’re not very good at this?” he teased.
    “Positive” I assured him. The first game continued, going much better than I had anticipated. David still managed to beat me, but I wasn’t too far behind him. Before we started the second game, we decided to order a pizza from the kitchen. A short while later, our food was brought out to us. After we finished eating, David looked over at me, his eyes filled with competition.
    “You ready for round two?”
    “You bet. You’re going down.”
    “Is that a fact?” David asked, raising an eyebrow.
    “Yes, I believe it is. The last game was really close. I think I can get you this time” I joked.
    “We’ll see” David said with a coy smirk. Game two commenced, and as promised, I beat him. It was another close game, almost too close, but I was proud, nonetheless. After the game ended, we put our bowling balls away and returned our shoes to the counter. As we walked outside, David grabbed my hand suddenly. We walked hand in hand the whole way back to my house, stopping at the front door.
    “Do you want to come in?” I asked.
    “I should actually get home. I have something special planned for you tomorrow, and I need to rest up, and so do you. I’ll be here to pick you up around eight tomorrow morning.
    “Why so early? What are we doing?”
    “If I told you, I’d have to kill you” David joked. I sighed, leaning over to hug him one last time before we said goodnight.
    “Well, we don’t want that” I murmured into his t-shirt. He wrapped his arms around me, and I looked up at him to gaze into his gorgeous blue-gray eyes. He leaned down to kiss me, and I never wanted it to end.
    “Goodnight” he whispered.
    “Goodnight” I replied. I gave him one last hug before turning to walk into the house.