"Are you together?" I whispered to Stephanie at college a day later. "Why didn't you tell me that?"

   "Did you ask?" She answered sarcastically. "Moreover, I don't have to."

   "But you're dating! How could that happen?"

   "What could happen? Sophie, I'm not interested in your opinion about us. It's not your business. Do you hear that?"

   Stephanie didn't understand my worries and changed her attitude to my ordinary questions. She possibly thought I wanted them to split up. If she really did, she wasn't right. I just wanted to know why she chose exactly him. Everyone, besides me and Eva, was joking he would never find a girlfriend in his life, but then...

   "I do, but why don't you see he doesn't live up to your expectations? He's not your guy. All the students are sure he likes almost every girl in here!"

   "You never know who he lives up to and you'll never know him. I repeat to you, Sophie, that it's not your business. If you want to know, I don't care what other people think. He is not what he seems. Alex is better than you can even imagine. I have no desire to go on listening to your advice. Forget it."

   She was disappointed. She didn't see a friend in me anymore as I thought, but I didn't really mean anything bad for her. That choice just seemed weird. Stephanie didn't share her secrets with me just like Eva didn't. I felt lonely and I didn't know what my mistake was. Stephanie went away, and I didn't see her anymore that day. I supposed Stephanie avoided me. Did I screw up?

   I was on the way to the headmaster's office in order to deal with the coming trip and the contest in general. I was going to have some papers signed and get the permission to leave. He met me first in the hall, so I didn't have to bother him.

   Daniel also came up to me to say something, but I answered that I was busy. I thought whatever he was about to say wasn't so important. The headmaster asked me politely to come in and I saw Daniel going away. We didn't have time to talk then.

   "Congratulations, Miss Burns. You've made good work to present our college and yourself there! It's a surprise for me to learn that one of my students is going to make her own collection and present it at a fashion show! I swear I will do all my best to help you with the money you need, but you must know we don't have much. We understand how much money it requires, Sophie. We hope for the best. If you are still hesitating or I've just talked you out of taking the chance, I'm sorry. Undoubtedly, chances like this one are given once in your life. Don't think of other options. You deserve it, and we will try to help you, so... Go there and show your talents! You're such a gifted designer and a brilliant student. I think you'll make a huge mistake if you say 'no' because of the lack of money. We will be looking for sponsors, you see?"

   He was looking at me and saw that I was almost in tears. I was glad to know someone would support me, do all his best to make me happier. It meant a lot.

   "Thank you for it. You do so much for me, I can't help appreciating that. I want it with all my heart. I really can't refuse. Would you sign the papers needed and give me the permission to go?"

   "Certainly, I would. Everything is ready, actually. Go to my secretary and take them. "

  "Thanks a lot. Good-bye. "

   The headmaster nodded twice and smiled, knowing I would do everything possible. It was all I needed from him. Then I felt safe and confident. When I went out of the headmaster's office, I decided to go home to pack all the things for the trip. I was almost ready, thinking of Daniel and what he had wanted to tell me. I didn't regret we hadn't talked.

   He was leaving the city, and so was I. We were to start a new life, making a huge step towards our dreams. We would keep our previous lives in our hearts, appreciating that opportunity to meet again one day and to find out how happy we were apart. We'd already grown up, but like Frenchmen used to say: "The more it changes, the more it stays the same."