By spring, Jack and Kate were inseparable. Jack had dated before but his relationships inevitably ended when the girl casually asked if Marcus could autograph her book or with a subtle mention of an upcoming movie premiere. But Kate only knew Jack as Jack.
In the beginning, keeping Marcus was a secret was no problem. Kate knew Jack had problems with his father and that was enough to keep it off the table. But after five months together, growing closer and learning more about each other, it became more and more difficult. The lie of omission that had started out so simple had now grown to become the awkward elephant in the room, clearing his throat and asking for a glass of water.
The first big hurdle was Parents' Weekend in April. When Kate first asked, Jack swore up and down that his father was in Belize on business. When she asked again the next week, he swore up and down that his father was in Burma on business. That had led to a small fight and in the end, Kate had dropped the issue. But Jack could feel his lie beginning to crack.
The letters teased Jack, daring him to open their thinly sealed flaps.
"I'm nervous," Jack said, cradling his coffee mug and staring at the three white envelopes, laid out on the table like three doors on a game show. "You open them."
"Don't get superstitious now," Kate said with the confidence of a student already holding an acceptance letter. "Nothing's going to change what's printed in there."
Jack nodded in agreement but still didn't move. Around them, students milled about the café but Jack didn't hear a sound. He bit his lip, eyes darting between each letter and each possible future.
"Fine, you're such a baby." Kate grabbed the center envelope and unceremoniously ripped it open. "Southern Methodist University..." Her eyes darted down the page and her face froze, trapping any expression.
"Say it."
"You would have hated it there," Kate said, tearing the letter in half and dropping it on the floor. Before Jack could reply, she opened the second letter. "NYU...Dear Mr. Ward, we regret–" She ripped it up. "New York gets too cold."
Jack dropped his head and ran his fingers through his hair. "I'm going to kill Mr. Robinson. He said these were all sure-bets."
Kate took the last letter and hesitated before opening it. "American University."
Closing his eyes, Jack waited and prayed. AU was within walking distance of Georgetown University, where Kate would be studying premed.
"Dear Mr. Ward..." She took a breath. "Congratulations!"
A loud gasp escaped Jack's mouth and he jumped up, fist-pumping the air. The other students stared in confusion, until Jack grabbed the letter and started waving it around like a soldier hoisting a victory flag. Some rolled their eyes and returned to studying but a few offered Jack some polite applause.
"Are you done embarrassing yourself?" Kate said, pushing him back into his chair.
"I can't believe it." Jack reread the letter again, to make sure there hadn't been any mistake. "I got in. I'm going to college. We're going to college. Can you pictures us next year, going to college parties together, hanging out all night?"
"I can picture me in the library studying organic chemistry until two in the morning."
"In that case, I can picture myself bringing you coffee and burgers at two in the morning."
The thought made Kate smile. "I think we're going to like college." Kate glanced down and picked at her fingernails. "This is a big deal. Maybe you should tell your dad."
Jack had felt right on the verge of total contentment but Kate's suggestion pulled him back. "Yeah, I'll call him later."
"You're not even going to text him?"
"He's probably busy."
A huff escaped Kate's lips. "You two officially have the weirdest relationship. My aunt and I don't get along at all but she was still the first person I wanted to tell when I got into Georgetown. Besides, your dad should probably know where to mail the checks."
"Just drop it!" The words came out before he realized he was going to say them. Jack's eyes darted up to Kate's, begging to take the words back. "Sorry, I didn't mean it like that."
But the words had already done their damage. Kate opened her backpack and started putting her books away. "You don't get along with your dad, I get that. You want to keep that part of your life private, I get that too." She stood up and Jack stood with her, reaching out a hand.
"I'm sorry, Kate."
"I know," she said. "And I'm not an idiot. I see there's something with your father that you don't want to tell me about. But if we are going to work, you have to let me in."
"I'll tell you."
Kate stopped, waiting for him to continue.
"I will," Jack said, knowing it wasn't what she wanted.
"I've got to study for the chem final. Call me in the morning?" Kate left before he could reply.