The Truth About Forever (NEW VERSION)

10. Wrong

Nicole

I'm wearing a floral dress and my hair is pulled back into a sleek ponytail. I even got a last minute pedicure this morning so I can look my best.

Seeing my mother always puts me on edge. She's literally perfection in every sense of the word. I've never been able to figure out how she does it. My father put her through so much and I've never seen her cry. I've never her seen lines crease her forehead in anger.

That detail can probably be explained by Botox, but the control she has over her emotions is something else. Something I did not inherit.

I've been called spirited, impulsive, and some people may think I have everything figured out. They think I know exactly what I want and expect me to make good choices.

The truth is, I have no idea what I'm doing.

I fall in love hard and fast and always worry about what everyone thinks. I'm late and scattered, and if I'm really being honest with myself, this isn't anything new. I've been this way my entire life and I desperately want to feel like I'm doing the right thing. I want to believe that my heart will guide me even when I feel lost.

But the look on my father's face tells me he's just as concerned as I feared. My mother is seated to his right and is also staring at me like I just shaved my hair and started attacking people with umbrellas.

I just blurted out that I didn't want to go to Columbia and I swear it's been literal minutes since one of them spoke.

They're just staring.

"Say something," I demand, my hands folded in my lap to keep myself calm.

My father takes off his glasses and sets them on the table before rubbing the bridge of his nose. When his lift his eyes to mine, they're stern.

"Give me one good reason why you don't want to go." When I open my mouth, he points his finger at me, cutting me off. "And it better not be about a fucking boy."

My heart takes a dive deep into my stomach. I made the decision last night after Silas got back to Ryder's. I looked in his eyes and pictured what it would be like if I never saw them again. It crushed my heart to imagine it.

Maybe I'm still on the fence about soulmates, but I do know I love him and I'm not ready to make a choice just yet.

"It's not about a guy," I say, my tone defensive. "All my friends are here. My life is here."

"Your friends are graduating soon and will leave to live their own lives. You need to grow up sometime."

I laugh. "Why does that mean they have to move away? Most of them aren't leaving."

"New York is not that far away." He wave his hand angrily. "It's two hour train ride for fucks sake."

My mother arches an eyebrow at his language in a Country Club. She hates when someone makes a scene. Not classy.

Two hours is a large distance to travel back and forth and three years is a long time. There's nothing for Silas in New York. I know he would follow me anywhere, but I want him to be happy, too.

"Is there a new guy?" My mother asks, ignoring his last statement.

A giant ball of nerves lodges in my chest. I hate lying. I'm bad at it.