Thanks to all my reviewers of Chapter 26: FoxyWombat, Ansy Pansy aka Panz, CynthiaB, and She Loves Shoes. Here's the next chapter!

Chapter 27: The Decision

APRIL 29, 1981

NEWPORT BEACH, CA

"So have you decided where you are going, Kirst?" Kelly asked. "I mean because housing is kind of due in a few days."

"My dad is supposed to tell me today, whether or not he's going to let me go to Berkeley," Kirsten said.

"And if he doesn't let you, what are you going to do?" Kelly persisted.

"Honestly…I really don't know…I'm just hoping he'll let me go to Berkeley so I don't have to decide. I have the information filled out for USC and Harvard. But I don't know which one to choose."

"I thought you didn't want to go to SC," Kelly wondered.

"I don't really…it's just the place that everyone would expect me to go. You know how it's a USC stronghold down here. The only reason why I'm considering it is because Jimmy's going there. But I know I would rather go to Harvard," Kirsten sighed.

"Kirst, what did I tell you before. You can't make your decision based on Jimmy. You need to go where you want to," Kelly told her.

"Except I might not be able to go to the place I really want," Kirsten reminded. "So have you sent in your housing stuff."

"Yep. I'm going to be a Bruin this fall. I'm so excited," Kelly said.

"I'm happy for you, Kell," Kirsten said.

"Thanks, Kirst. Hey, I have to get to class, but call me later…let me know the decision," Kelly told her.

"Sure thing," Kirsten said and the two girls walked in opposite directions toward their classes.

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"What am I going to do?" Kirsten said as she lay on Jimmy's bed with his arms wrapped around you.

"Well, you still need to hear your dad's answer, right?" Jimmy asked her, stoking her hair.

"Yeah…but it's not just about that…what about us? What's going to happen?" Kirsten said as she flipped around to face him. She stared directly in his eyes.

Jimmy sighed and was silent for a moment before speaking, "Honestly, I don't know. I guess it depends partly on where you go…and if it is far, whether we want to make the long distance thing work."

"Jimmy, I have to be honest with you…if my dad isn't going to let me go to Berkeley, I don't think I'm going to go to USC. I think I'm going to go to Harvard," she said truthfully. "It's not that I don't want to go to school with you, because believe me I do, but I don't think USC is going to be right for me."

"Kirsten, I don't expect you to go to SC just because I am. As much as I would love it if you came, you need to make this decision for you."

"Thanks Jimmy…but that still begs the question, what about us?" Kirsten sighed.

"Well, what do you think?" Jimmy asked her.

Kirsten thought for a moment before speaking, "I want to try to make the long-distance thing work, whether it's across the state or across the country."

A huge grin appeared on Jimmy's face and he said, "I hoped you would say that. I want to make it work too. I love you and I don't plan on losing you anytime soon."

Kirsten smiled in return and said, "I love you too," and then gave him a kiss.

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As soon as Kirsten shut the front door, she heard her father call down from his office. "Kiki! Come up here, please!" Caleb yelled down.

Kirsten walked slowly up the stairs, knowing that she was about to get the answer she had been waiting nearly a month to hear. But suddenly, she wasn't sure if she wanted to hear the answer. Yeah, I only want to hear it if it's going to be good, she thought.

"Please, sit down," her father said as he gestured toward the empty chair facing him at his desk. Kirsten obeyed him and sat down. The he continued, "I have given your request to attend Berkeley carefully, and I will allow you to attend there, but on one condition."

Kirsten almost flew up out of her chair with excitement, but managed to contain herself and replied, "Name it. Anything."

"Now, I'm not going to force you to major in business, even though I think you are making a huge mistake. But I would like you to take a summer business program they offer during one of your summers."

Kirsten smiled. I can deal with that, she thought. "Oh, yes! I'll do it!" she exclaimed. Then she jumped out of her chair and surprised herself when she embraced her father in a hug. "Thank you, Daddy!" she exclaimed. Daddy? Where did that come from? Whatever, I guess it's just excitement, she thought.

"Don't thank me. Thank your mother. I still don't approve of you going there, but your mother talked me into it. She convinced me to let you be happy," Caleb stated.

"Well, thank you anyway," Kirsten said again.

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Kirsten hung up the phone after telling him about the good news from her father. Then she picked up the phone again and called Kelly.

"Hello?" Kirsten heard Kelly answer the phone.

"Hey, Kell. It's me," Kirsten said.

"Hey, Kirst. So, what happened?"

"He's letting me go! My father is actually letting me go to Berkeley!" Kirsten exclaimed into the phone.

"Yay! I'm so happy for you! Did you tell Jimmy yet?"

"Yeah, I just got off the phone with him. He's happy too," Kirsten told her.

"So, what does this mean for you guys? I mean, it's a big decision. Stay together long-distance or don't."

"We talked about it earlier and we're going to try to make it work. Besides, Berkeley and SC aren't that far away. The plane ride is what, like an hour? Maybe a little more."

"Good for you two," Kelly said.

"So what about you and Matt?" Kirsten asked.

"We've talked about it…and I don't think we're going to stay together. We'll stay together until we leave for school, but then we'll take a break. If we are really meant to be together, we figure we can always get back together later," Kelly told her.

Kirsten was silent for a second. She wasn't quite sure how to respond. It wasn't really the answer she had expected. "Kell, I know that Arizona isn't exactly close, but it's not that far. I'm surprised you guys weren't going to give it a try at least."

"Yeah, well, I think it was inevitable. Matt's going to be busy with football there. And Kirsten, we aren't you and Jimmy. You guys are meant for each other. More than Matt and I are anyway."

"Kelly…"

"Trust me Kirst. You two are perfect for each other."

"And you and Matt aren't?"

"Kirsten, just trust me on this one. I think some time apart will be good for us."

Just then, Kirsten heard a knock on her door. "Hey, Kell. I have to go. I'll talk to you later."

"Bye," Kirsten heard Kelly say before she hung up the phone.

"Come in!" Kirsten yelled to the knocker.

The door swung open to reveal Kirsten's mother. "Hey sweetie! Your father told me that he told you the good news!" she exclaimed before hugging her daughter tightly.

"Thank you, Mom! So much for everything!" Kirsten told her.

Katherine pulled back and said, "Why are you thanking me?"

"For convincing Dad to let me go. He said you did."

"Well, I just wanted you to be happy, Kirsten," Katherine said before hugging her again.

"I am happy. You have no idea how happy," Kirsten said as she continued to hold her mother in an embrace.

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I don't own Berkeley, USC, or Harvard.