Forever and Always

Chapter 8: Forgiveness

“That’s why, because you would get excited and I didn’t want to get my hopes up because now Emily has her acceptance e-mail and I’m on a wait list, I only get to go if someone else can’t.”

“Well there’s still hope. I mean someone could drop out right?” I asked.

“I mean I guess but it’s unlikely.” She rebutted.

“You don’t know that people could drop out because they get sick or they get hurt or it’s too much money or…other reasons. Something could happen, don’t count yourself out yet.”

“OK.” She conceded. “Hey Ni?”

“Yeah?”

“Can we go home now? I just wanna cuddle.”

“Sure.” I responded as I stood up and extended my hand to help her up.

We walked home in a comfortable silence with Kat pressed firmly into my side and my arm wrapped around her waist.  When we got home we went directly upstairs to just lie in bed and cuddle.  She snuggled into my side and rested her head on my chest and all was right with the world again.  This time I was the one that gripped her tightly, not wanting to let her go.  

The next morning I woke up and Kat wasn’t pressed up against me.  I flung my arms out to her side of the bed, only to be met with empty sheets.  I pried open my eyes to confirm my discovery and sure enough Kat was nowhere to be found.  I jumped out of bed and threw on a shirt before rushing out of my bedroom to go find her.  I found her in the kitchen making breakfast with my mum complete with bacon, eggs, pancakes and hash browns.

“What’s all this?” I asked with a chuckle.

“Ni you’re up! Guess what guess what guess what!” Kat yelled excitedly as she ran over and kissed me quickly.

“What what what?” I replied quickly mocking her childishness. 

She picked up her phone from the counter and began reading, “We are pleased to inform you that a position has become available in our theatre studies program and you have been removed from the waitlist and into the program. Congratulations and we look forward to seeing you in the fall!!!” she squealed out the last part and jumped up and down.

“Babe that’s great!! I take it this is a celebration breakfast?”

“Yeah but go put on some pants because the boys and Emily are coming over to celebrate with us!”

“Ugh gosh so demanding.” I scoffed as I ran upstairs to throw on some sweats. 

We hung out with the boys all day, we showed them around Mullingar for a little bit and then chilled at the house for a while.  We decided to go out to the pub and have a little fun for the night with the excuse of celebrating for Emily and Kat.  We were a few rounds in and I could tell Kat wasn’t really into it, she just looked exhausted. 

“We don’t have to say here ya know.  We can just go home if you want to.” I told her offering her a way out.  She just nodded so I took her by the hand and led her out of the pub.  We went home and changed into our pajamas, me in my boxers and her in an old t-shirt of mine, and cuddled in bed for a while before a thought struck me.

“Where will you live?” I asked.

“Huh?” she replied sleepily.

“Like do you live in dorms or like with a host family or like what? How does that work?” I asked curiously.

“Well I’m going through ISA and they have several options I just have to choose one.  This program offers dorms but I can also stay with a host family or in a house with other exchange students, or I can just find my own housing.”