Senior Year

Chapter 42

Three Months Later, a month before graduation.

(Emma's POV)

I stare at the pile of letters on the table of front of me. Letters from the universities I applied to. I want to find out the results with Killian. He did pay for all of this after all, and I want to share this with him. We were waiting for the last letter, the 6th, to come in the mail, and now it has. It's time to find out if I've been accepted anywhere, or just denied. I would be crushed if I didn't end up getting into anything. After everything Killian has done to make this happen for my grades to be the downfall would destroy me. Some envelopes feel thicker than others which is a good sign. That's how it works right? I try not to focus on which are heavier just yet.

"More mail? What is all of that about?" Ingrid asks walking into the kitchen and breaking me out of my trance.

"University applications," I answer. Elsa has already gotten her acceptance letter to the closest University which is where she applied for the Environmental Science program. Apparently she's really interested in global warming and the changing climate.

"Oh you didn't tell me you applied... and to so many," she adds seeing the stack in front of me.

"I had some money from babysitting," I tell her. I've been using babysitting as an excuse to get out of the house for a while now so it made sense. "I didn't want to mention anything until I knew."

"Seems you still don't know," she comments on the letters which are completely intact.

"No, I'm opening them with... a friend"

"Well good luck Emma, it looks to me like you have a couple of good ones in there," she smiles and leaves to the living room. I grab the pile and make my way over to Killian's.

I call him on the way and tell him I'm coming over with the last letter. He replies happily, and asks me what I want for lunch. I tell him anything from Granny's, and he agrees with my choice.

I'm greeted at his door with a swift kiss, and the smell of Granny's onion rings.

"Hi love, how's your day been?"

"Good I guess, I haven't done much except stare at the envelopes," I explain and put the pile on the table. He glances at the papers then back at me happily.

"You nervous?" he asks.

"How could I not be? My whole future relies on what is inside those envelopes. You've done so much for me. What if after all that I don't get in just because I'm not good enough?"

"Oh Emma, don't put that pressure on yourself. Many people don't get into many universities. Rejection is a part of life, part of growing up."

"You won't be mad if I don't get into any?" I ask hesitantly. He lifts my chin up to look at him, and locks our fingers together.

"I wouldn't be no. But something tells me that won't be the case," he reassures me and kisses me softly. "You ready to find out?" he nods over to the letters. I glance nervously.

"Can we eat first?" I ask. He nods.

"Your heart's desire Swan," he answers leading me to the food. Granny's grilled cheese for me, cheese burger for him, and we both have onion rings. He's picked well.

When we finish eating, and cleaning up.

"Ready to open them?" Killian asks.

"I...can we watch a movie or something first?" I ask

"Come on Emma, don't be so nervous love," he smiles sweetly. "The earlier you open them, the more time you have to make a decision."

"If there is even a decision to make," I mutter.

"Hey, come on. Don't be like that. Come," he takes me by my hand, and has me stand in front of the letters.

"Now or never I guess," I hold my breath as I pick one up. "I can't. It's a decline. I can feel it," I say dropping it back on the table as if I was scared of it. Killian comes behind me, his front against my back. He reaches his arms around me and picks it back up, holding it in front of me.

"May I do the honors?" he asks. I nod, and sink in closer to his chest. His breath is on my ear as he rips it open, and pulls the papers out. My heart drops.

"I told you," I sigh after reading the top line of the rejection letter.

"It's not even your third choice Emma, you still have 5 more chances. Don't fret just yet," he reassures me.

"Open the next one for me?" I ask. He chuckles, but nods. The second envelope is for Storybrooke University. This one is important. I hold my breath as he takes the paper out.

"Congratulations! You've been accepted into the Social Science program at Storybrooke University starting the fall semester of next year," Killian reads aloud.

"I got in? I got in!" I squeal.

"I knew you would," Killian responds cockily. I feel like I can breathe again.

"Wow. I'm going to university, actually going. I never thought I'd get to do that." I say my thoughts aloud.

"Well you do," he laughs, and kisses the top of my head. "Can you manage the others on your own?" he asks. I nod. I open the next 3 letters, I get accepted into another school, but its program never interested me much. My hand lands on the last envelope. The letter with the UMaine monogram stamped in the corner. I'm still not sure why I even put in my application for UMaine. It's one of the best universities in all of Maine, and its Social Work program is the best out of most of the eastern United States.

"Well don't stop now love, one more," Killian encourages. I take a deep breath and open it. My mouth drops open. "Congratulations! You've been accepted in the Social Work program at The University of Maine."

I can't think of what to say. The application was a long shot, I never thought I'd get accepted. Plus the campus is in central Maine, which is over 3 hours away. I would have to live in dorms, and away from Ingrid. Away from Killian. Away from everyone.

"Is the third one the charm?" Killian breaks the silence.

"What?" I turn to face him.

"It's your third acceptance. Is third time the charm?" He asks trying his best to be supportive.

"I don't know,"

"This is the University you dreamed of isn't it?"

"Yeah, but it's so far away."

"Don't worry about that love. Think about you, and your future. University of Maine was what you really wanted."

"I don't want to go if it means I won't be able to see you,"

"You will. We can spend weekends, and holidays, and skype all the time."

"That's not the same. I want to be with you. I'll finally not be a student with a teacher. I want to enjoy that, not just leave."

"We'll have all summer to be in complete bliss."

"I know but..."

"What is it love? What aren't you saying?" he asks sincerely.

"Nothing,"

"Well I'm actually quite perceptive, and can tell that you're holding something back love. Please tell me, don't keep it to yourself."

"It's just you're doing so much for me, you're changing my future, and how am I repaying that? By moving 3 hours away. This isn't just about me Killian, it's about you too."

"It's your decision love, and I want you to make the right one for you. But alas, it doesn't need to be made now. Now let's go watch a movie like you suggested." He smiles, and leads me to the couch. We pull up Netflix and choose a movie. I pull a blanket over us and snuggle to his chest.

I don't want to leave this.

A/N

This update was a bit late, and I'm sorry for that, but I hurt my wrist last week and typing has been a little difficult. Also I'm starting to write the sequel and am very excited about it! Vote and comment if you enjoyed