Page 7 of Envy
CHAPTER THREE
THE PAST
Days turned to weeks then to months, and my feelings for Wyatt continued to deepen. We grew closer as friends and semi-lovers. I was still innocent and not ready to change that fact. Wyatt was understanding and patient, saying he’d wait however long I needed to feel comfortable. Though we were anything butcomfortableafter a heated make out session in the backseat of his car. It was nothing short of a miracle I didn’t give in on several occasions.
Talking about our future brought more discomfort. I’d never had to consider what it would feel like to leave someone behind before Wyatt. My parents always encouraged me to break free from the only life we’d ever known. I still didn’t want to stay, but I also didn’t want to be without him when I went off to college. He sat with me when I completed the early application to Harvard, a gloomy shadow covered his handsome face.
“Talk to me, Wyatt. What are you thinking?”
“I’m thinking…there’s no way you won’t get accepted. You’re the top of our class, even with advanced placement classes. Your ACT scores are off the charts. I’m thinking…I’m so proud of you and all you’ve accomplished. And, I’m thinking…I’ll lose you to some other guy the second you step on campus.”
Even with my assurances there wasn’t a possibility anyone could take his place, he didn’t seem convinced. Wyatt had never shown his insecure side before. He seemed invincible when around his friends, so seeing his vulnerable side signaled another change in our relationship. I encouraged him to apply and go with me, but he said his college decision had been made for him the day he was born.
“What plans?”
“My dad has already arranged for me to attend his alma mater. It’s a tradition in our family, so it’s not something I can get out of. I’ll go to college then eventually take over the family business.” His tone was so blasé as if he were reading a stranger’s obituary from the newspaper.
“Is that what you want to do?”
“No, not at all.”
“What do you want, Wyatt? You’ve never talked about what you want to be or where you want to go to school.”
“If I had a say, you mean? I’d major in Computer Engineering. The future is all computer-based. Faster, smarter, and more innovative. I have absolutely zero desire for anything to do with commercial real estate.”
“There’s no way to talk to your father about it? To tell him what you want to do with the rest of your own life? To convince him an Ivy League school would look great on your resume?”
“No, gorgeous. Believe me, I’ve tried. We’ve had knock-down-drag-out fights about it, but Dad won’t budge. I’m stuck close to home for the rest of my life.”
“How do you feel about long-distance relationships and weekend visits over the next four years?” I had to try something. I didn’t want to lose him, but I also couldn’t give up what I’d worked years to attain.
“For you? Absolutely. Whatever it takes to keep you.” The sincerity in his whisper was undeniable. The affection in his kiss was unmistakable.
“That’s enough, you two.” The school librarian chastised us with her stern, motherly voice, interrupting our tender moment.
December rolled around, and I received the decision letter from Harvard. I couldn’t bear to open it. What if I wasn’t accepted? What if I was? Wyatt was very supportive and took the envelope from my hand. His smile lit his gorgeous face and pride shone in his eyes.
“I am delighted to inform you…” He began reading the letter, but after those first few words, I didn’t hear the rest. I flew into his arms, and he wrapped me in a bear hug, pulling me off the floor as he spun me around. “Congratulations, gorgeous. You did it. You got a full scholarship to Harvard.”
My parents heard my screams and rushed to my bedroom door, confused expressions shrouded their faces as they tried to decipher what my tears and smile meant. Wyatt handed the letter to my mom and stepped to my side, his arm still around my waist. I wiped the tears from my cheeks then snuggled in closer to his side.
“How often can you visit me in Cambridge, Massachusetts?” I asked them.
Mom stared at the letter, trying to force the jumble of letters to make sense through her own tears. My dad read over her shoulder, his jaw was slack and his eyes were scanning the lines as he read along.
“Megan, we’re so proud of you.” Mom pulled me into her arms, and Dad joined from the other side. “You’ve worked for this all your life. You did it, my girl.”
That night, Wyatt and I agreed we’d make the most of our time together before I left for college the next fall. We had nine months before classes started, and a lot could happen in that time. Inside, I hoped Wyatt would defy his father’s plan for his son to attend his alma mater, but I couldn’t bring myself to voice that. If I caused a rift in his family, I’d never forgive myself.
Two weeks later, Wyatt and I exchanged Christmas gifts. With my scholarship secured, I reasoned I could afford to withdraw money from my account to buy his gifts. I’d saved every dime I’d made from babysitting and tutoring over the years. I’d vowed not to use any of that money so I’d always have an emergency stash. But he was special to me, and I wanted him to know.
When he opened his gift, he stared at it for several long seconds before saying anything. He lifted the two-piece silver key chain from the box and read the inscription on the front. One piece was a heart with “I love” engraved on the front. The second piece was an arrow that fit into the notched-out portion of the heart. The tip of the arrow was a hollow heart. The engraving on the arrow read “You.” On the back of the heart, I had my name etched into the metal, and the back of the arrow had his.
He wrapped his hand around the back of my neck and pulled me to him. His lips hovered over mine as he said, “I love you too, Megan.” After a heated kiss, he separated the two pieces and gave me the arrow. “It’s fitting that you gave me the heart.”
“Why’s that?”
“See the hole that’s left when you’re missing from it?” He held it up, showing where the other piece fit. “That’s exactly how I feel when you’re not around.”
