Ch 26

On Tuesday when I get home from school, there are letters waiting. Big letters. And a small letter. I open the little one first, and it's, as expected, a rejection from one of the schools I applied to. The other, larger envelopes are acceptances. Two of them. Both are from decent schools, both are offering scholarship money, although not enough to cover everything. My heart is pounding because I have no clue what to do. My first instinct is to call Tom to tell him, but I hold off. Instead I comb though both packages the schools sent and fill out whatever forms came in the packages, except the acceptance of their offers.

My mom comes in an hour later, papers still spread all over the table.

"What's all this honey?" She eyes the table knowing very well what it means. "Is my son going to university?"

"Yeah," I tell her, trying to hold back my nervous smile, even though she's beaming from ear to ear.

She pulls me into a tight hug. "God, Justin, I'm so proud of you. Imagine, an Archer at university! My baby's going to be an engineer."

"No mom, we don't know what your baby's going to be yet," I nod towards her protruding belly, "but your big boy's going to be."

She laughs and says, "See, that's why you're the smart one." Looking at all the papers again, she asks, "So where are you going to go?"

I shake my head, "I don't know. I've been offered money at two schools and got a rejection letter for the one in town. But neither scholarship is enough to cover everything. I did apply to some other scholarships, like from service clubs and things, so I still could get more financial help. And I qualify for financial aid."

"Well, Justin, I don't know anything about any of this, so the choice has to be yours, but maybe you should talk to a few of your teachers or something about it?"

"Yeah, I guess. I'm just so confused. I mean this decision could affect everything."

"True, but at least both schools you got accepted to are in the same city. Either way you're going away for school. Have you told Tom yet?"

"No," I sighed, "I haven't."

"Don't you think you should?"

....................................................

"Look, all I can tell you is we'll at least be in the same city for school. That's pretty good, don't you think?" Tom leans over and gives me a soft kiss on the lips as I worry about which program to accept. Again.

Although it was only two days after getting my letters, I had to reply, and soon. And I was still totally in the air as to which school to accept. I'd asked Mr. Sway and Ms. Francis about school, guidance, and a few other teachers, but really the choice was mine and I had no clue. We were sitting in the library after school so I could research on the computer and see if I could find out any more information to help me make my decision. I know Tom was getting annoyed with me, hell, I was getting annoyed with me. All I know is I have to send the paperwork in before we go on the hiking trip, and it's looming.

"I am glad we'll be in the same city, but I'd be happier if we were at the same campus, and maybe the same dorm?" My fingers intertwine with his, and I try rubbing his hand in a suggestive way.

"Nice try, 95, but I'm not telling you. Once you've decided and the form is in the mail, then, and only then, will you find out if we need to request each other as roommates." Tom winks and pulls his hand away.

"Fine. I get it. And you're one stubborn asshole." I give him a sweet, flirty smile. Or at least I hope it looks flirty, and not like I'm some crazed lunatic.

Apparently it's flirty, because he takes my hand again. "Yep, and you'd better be happy I'm stubborn, or I'd have given up on your sorry ass months ago. This little university thing just shows how completely incapable you are at making a decision."

"It's not a little thing," I whine. Really, whining is awful, but deciding on a university is pretty damn important. I haven't been able to eat properly, I'm so worried about the whole thing.

"I know it's not, Justin, but you really do need to make up your mind. Both schools are great, both programs are reputable, it just comes down to which school colours you like better." He gives a flip of his hand in a stereotypical campy way and I nearly lose it.

I roll my eyes, stifling a laugh, "Thanks. You're a big help."

...................................................

By Friday, I've decided. It's not the program so much as where the school is located that helps make my decision. One school is right downtown, close to public transportation so I can come home on weekends if needed, is in an area that has a lot more to do, and is known for a large gay community. As much as I am new to being out, I want Tom and I to be able to walk around where we won't feel like we are an oddity. I want us to be able to hold hands and walk around proud, rather than worried. The other school is closer to the edge of the city in an area that doesn't have as much within walking distance. Both programs are good, so I don't think I've giving up much by choosing based on my comfort level. Of course there is an open house in a few more weeks, so hopefully I don't change my mind when I see it because by then it would be way too late.

After school Tom and I walk to the drugstore that has a postal outlet in the back.

"So, you're sure?" he asks as I fill out the certified envelope after sticking my acceptance inside.

"Yeah. I mean I think so." I take a deep breath. "It's a good school and the colour scheme is fantastic." I chuckle at my stupid joke. Then I seal the envelope, and my fate with it. "Want to help me do the honours?" I gesture to the sealed envelope and the mail slot.

"Sure." He puts his hand with mine, and together we drop the letter into the hands of Canada Post. "It's not too late to get it out of there." Tom winks at me.

"Yes it is," the mail clerk interrupts us. "It's a federal offence to mess with the mail. You've put in the letter, it's our property now."

We wave our thanks to the clerk, then head back outside into the sunny late spring afternoon. As my eyes adjust to the brightness, Tom pulls me in for a long, sweet kiss. He presses against me and my heartbeat escalates like crazy, his tongue gently brushing along my lips making me shiver in delight.

"What was that for?" My eyes flutter open as I try to catch my breath.

"I'm just so happy that's been taken care of," Tom says with a grin. "I guess we'd better get on those housing forms soon."

"Do you mean..." I trail off, breaking into a huge smile and giving him a giant, bone crushing hug.

"Yep, no angst filled subway rides for us. Worst comes to worst our roommates hate us, if we don't get stuck together."

Suddenly I'm feeling a heck of a lot better about my decision.