Chapter Thirty Nine: Read My Mind by The Killers

They looked at each other nervously. "Well?" Jack asked.

"You tell me," said Rose. They both already knew if they got in or not.

"The fact that neither of us are upset is a good sign," said Jack.

"Okay fine," said Rose. "At the same time. One, two, three-"

"Got in," they both said at the same time, and they hugged.

Rose kissed Jack's cheek. "I knew you would."

"I knew you would," said Jack. "And now we don't have to worry about applying anywhere else. We're already in."

"I know," said Rose. "I'm so relieved."

"Same," said Jack. He wrapped his arms tightly around her and kissed her. "I'm so proud of you."

"I'm so proud of you," said Rose.

Jack wrapped his arms tightly around her and kissed her neck, ear, cheek, and lips. "Let's go somewhere and celebrate."

"Where?" Rose asked.

"Anywhere you want," said Jack.

Rose smiled. "How about we pick up some food and come back here?"

"Sounds good," said Jack.

"I'll be right back," said Rose. She ran out of the room, and returned a little later. "I got some fun stuff."

"Really?" Jack asked.

"Yep," said Rose. She took a blanket and put it on the floor, with little pillows, and she took the food out. "Come here."

Jack sat on the floor, and Rose sat next to him. "What did you get?" Jack asked.

"I got… pizza, sodas, chocolate covered strawberries," said Rose.

They ate the food, and Rose leaned back and put her hand on her stomach. "I'm so stuffed."

"So you don't want the last strawberry?" Jack asked.

"No thanks," said Rose.

"Well, for all you know, this could be the world's most amazing strawberry, and you wouldn't know," said Jack. "You would just miss out on the world's best strawberry."

"Okay, fine," said Rose with a smile. Jack picked up the strawberry and fed it to her. "Okay, that is a really good strawberry."

"See?" Jack said with a smile. He leaned over and kissed her lovingly. Jack lay down on the floor, and Rose lay in his arms. "Tell me something."

"What?" Rose asked.

"I don't know," said Jack. "Anything."

"How about this," said Rose. "I love you."

Jack smiled. "I love you too."

•••

"You have a phone charger?" Jack asked.

"Yes," said Rose.

"You have your backup headphones in case your AirPods die?"

"I have everything," said Rose.

Today was the day of the cheer competition. It was Rose's last cheer competition. Jack was planning on going to the competition a few days later, since it was only an hour outside New York City.

"So I guess you're ready to go," said Jack.

"Yes," said Rose. She and Jack walked to the gym, and Rose stopped in front of the bus. "So I guess this is it."

"We're not breaking up," said Jack, and they both laughed. "I'm going to see you in a few days."

"I'm gonna miss you," said Rose.

"You too," said Jack. He hugged her tightly, and then gave her a loving kiss. "You'll call me when you get there?"

"Of course," said Rose. She kissed him again. "I love you."

She got on the bus, and Emily sat next to her. Rose looked out the window and waved at Jack. Jack waved back at her.

One way Jack knew they were perfect for each other was how upset he was when she left. He longed desperately for her.

His phone buzzed, and Jack took it out of his pocket.

R: I miss you already.

J: I miss you too. I wish I could give you one more kiss.

R: Me too.

"So," Emily began, and Rose looked up. "I heard you got into Barnard."

Rose nodded. "Yeah," said Rose. "What's your plan? Did you apply to Michigan like you wanted to?"

"Yeah," said Emily.

"And?" Rose asked.

"I got in," said Emily.

"I'm so happy for you," said Rose.

"How are you and Jack?" Emily asked.

"Great," said Rose.

"Really?" Emily asked.

"Yeah," said Rose. "Why?"

"Because… you're going to get mad at me for saying this," said Emily.

"Just say it," said Rose.

"Okay," said Emily. "I just thought when you started dating that the relationship was built mainly on… infatuation. I didn't think it would last."

"That's okay," said Rose. "I didn't know if it would last this long either. But now…"

"What?" Emily asked.

"I can see myself being with him forever," said Rose. "I just… I love him more than anything, and vice versa."

"People change a lot as they grow up," said Emily. "The person you become might not have the same feelings you do."

Rose shook her head. "That's not going to happen."

"How can you be sure?" Emily asked.

"I just am," said Rose. "Listen, one day you'll meet someone who makes you feel the way Jack makes me feel, and you'll just know."

"Okay," said Emily. She sounded unconvinced, but Rose didn't care. She knew she was right about this.