"Where's Asher?" I ask as Carter and Dylan sit down with us.
"It's Thursday, remember?" Dylan asks.
Oh right. The baseball tournament.
"When's the first game?" Aspen question's.
"It all already happened earlier this morning. They're waiting for their next game."
I suddenly feel bad for not calling him and telling him good luck.
"I'll be right back," I say, grabbing my phone and standing up.
Aspen nods as I walk away from them.
I call Asher and put the phone up to my ear.
He answers after 3 rings. "What's up, Chase?"
"Um, how's your tournament going?" I ask.
"Good. We won the first game."
"Good job! Well...um...good luck on the rest of the games."
"Thanks, Chase."
:::
I never realized how much I hung out with Asher until today. I'm laying in bed, staring up at the ceiling on a Saturday night.
My phone is beside me and goes off.
Asher.
"Hey," I greet him.
"We won!" He says.
"Really?!" I sit up.
"Yeah!"
I chuckle at how happy he is.
"Are you laughing at me, Ryder?"
"Sort of. Only because you sound super happy."
"I am. Kind of. I would be happier if you and Harper were with me."
My poor heart is going crazy right now.
"I miss you. It's only been a few days, but I miss you a lot," Asher admits, seriously.
"I miss you too," I say.
"Do you want to FaceTime?"
"Right now?"
"Yeah. I got the hotel room to myself."
"Where's your roommates?"
"One of them's hooking up with some girl that he met. The other two are at the restaurant downstairs."
"Okay. Give me a second."
I hear him make an "okay" sound as I quickly fix my hair and grab headphones.
Asher ends the call and FaceTimes me instead.
"You look cute," Is the first thing he says.
I blush and roll my eyes. "April Fools was yesterday."
Asher smiles. "No really, you look so cute. Gorgeous actually."
"Are you high?"
"No. Why?"
"You're giving me compliments while I'm sitting here with a messy bun and sweats and one of your sweatshirts."
"Which is super attractive."
"Well, thank you."
"Of course, Ryder. How's your day been?"
"Good."
"Reminds me, college acceptance letters came from Rice."
"I know."
"Did you get in?"
"I haven't opened it yet."
Asher gasps. "Why not? Chase, go open the letter!"
I smile and stand up. "My parents are home by the way so be prepared if they want to talk to you."
"Got it."
I go downstairs and stop in front of the fridge where my letter is pinned up against.
"Here goes," I say.
"You got this, Chase," Asher gently encourages me.
I walk over to the counter and set my phone down along with my letter.
"DANIEL! SHE'S OPENING THE LETTER!" My mom shouts.
Asher chuckles from my phone as my parents and brother run over to me.
"Hey, Asher? Can you talk to them while I open the letter?" I ask.
"Sure."
I unplug my headphones and hand my phone to Daniel.
I open the envelope and hold my breath as I pull out the letter.
Dear Ms.Ryder,
We are happy to inform you that you have been accepted to Rice University.
I read the rest of the letter before rereading it all.
"Well?" Mom asks.
"I got in?" I'm in shock.
"YES!" Daniel, Mom, and Chandler cheer as I stand there with a disbelieving look on my face.
"Hello? Anyone want to fill me in?" Asher asks from my phone which is in Daniel's hand.
"Oh," Daniel hands me my phone.
"I got in," I tell him.
"THAT'S AWESOME CHASE! Why is your face like that?" Asher asks.
"I got in," Those seem to be the only words to come out of my mouth.
"I give her 5 seconds before she starts freaking out," My mom says.
"I'm no—OH MY GOD! I GOT INTO RICE UNIVERSITY!"
Pretty soon we're all dancing around the kitchen. We get tired and calm down.
"I'm going to call Aspen and Jess," I announce, grabbing my phone off the counter.
My mom nods as I head upstairs.
"Chase?" A voice calls.
I scream out in fear.
Oh my god, my house is haunted.
"Chase! Your phone is still on, honey!" Daniel calls from downstairs.
I press my hand over my racing heart and look at my phone.
Asher still hasn't ended the call. I expected him to have ended the call a while back.
"Sorry, I forgot," I apologize, shutting the door to my bedroom. "Sorry, Ash."
"It's okay. So...celebrate once I get back?" He suggests.
I look at his bright blue eyes and gorgeous smile. "For sure."
"I'll let you go to bed. It's late."
"Okay. Good night, Ash."
"Good night, Chase."
•••
It's the most wonderful time of year. Finals!!!!!!
Thanks for reading :)
~M