Chapter 8: The Phone call

As Rebecca walked towards Paula,her heart was still beating fast. She was about to confess something to Greg. She didn't knew what was going to happen. If she told him, will he have the same feelings as her. If not, will it ruin their friendship? All these thoughts kept Rebecca thinking for a moment.

"Cookie? Are you in there?" Paula's voice brought her back to reality. Rebecca just nod trying to forget what just happen

"Yeah, I'm here. So where are the dishes?" Rebecca asked looking at Paula. She then look at the table and it was empty. Did Paula just lied to her she thought to herself.

"Actually I took care of it already. So is there something going on between you and Greg?" Paula asked her as Rebecca tried to come up with an answer. Did she had feelings for Greg or she just see him as her friend. She didn't know what to say at that point. Her mind went blank

"Um I don't know. Honestly, I thought there was something or maybe it's just me. I don't know" Rebecca asked as everything was so blurry to her at that point.

"Cookie, listen to me. Your ultimate goal here is Josh alright. Forget that you have feelings for Greg. He's an alcoholic and a unromantic you know. You're better off with Josh." Paula said but Rebecca tried not to listen to her. Paula was right about Greg but he knew that Greg was more than what she said. Greg was funny and understanding even though she acted like a jack ass sometimes. That's just the way Rebecca looks at him.

"I don't know Paula. Seriously could we stop talking about this" Rebecca said walking away from her. Paula jaw dropped wide open in shock as her cookie just walked away from her.

Meanwhile, at the same time, Greg was still waiting for Rebecca when he got a phone call. He took a look at it and was kinda shocked. It was from Wisconsin University Business school. He did applied to this University and didn't expect anything from it let alone a phone call. He went outside to get some privacy.

"Hello?" Greg answered as a woman's voice could be heard at the end

"May I speak to Mr. Greg Serrano?"

"This is him" Greg answered anxiously.

" , we would like to offer you a scholarship to study here in Wisconsin University. Congratulations" The woman said and Greg was elated. He didn't thought in a million years that he would get accepted let alone get a scholarship from it. That few years of hard work did paid off.

"Thank you so much, when do I start?" Greg asked anxiously.

"Next Monday is the registration. We would love to have you here " The woman said and he was kinda shocked. He didn't expect to start this soon.

"Uhh ok. I'll think about it " Greg said and the woman hung up. He didn't know what to do as he tried to think while holding his head. On the bright side, he can continue his study. On the other side, he have to leave his family, friends and especially Rebecca.

At that exact moment, Rebecca found Greg and quickly noticed his face worried about something.

"Hey, Are you alright?" She asked him and he just smiled. He didn't want anyone to know especially Rebecca about him going to further his studies.

"I am alright. Hate to spoil the party but I have to go back. I gotta check my father. Bye Bunch" Greg said awkwardly as he walked away. Rebecca looked at him weirdly but went back in the party.

Back at his home, Greg was lying on the sofa when his dad went in. He could clearly see his son deep in thought

"You're back early, did something happen?" His dad asked as Greg sat up looking at him.

"It's nothing dad." Greg said with a sigh but didn't believe him as he took a seat in front of him. Greg knew it was useless to lie to his dad

"I got a phone call from the university just now. I'll start next monday" Greg started and his dad just looked at him

"And you're not happy obviously. Weren't you trying so hard to get in the university in the first place? What's holding you back? If I am the reason that you don't have to worry about me. I can take care of myself" His dad said looking at his son

"It's not you dad, it's something else" Greg said and his dad knew what he was talking about

"It's not something. It's someone you're talking about. Is it Rebecca?" His dad asked and Greg looked at his father clearly shocked.

"How did you know?" Greg asked and just managed to chuckle

"You told me a million times about that girl ever since you first saw her. You even dated her twice and got dumped twice" chuckled and Greg was a bit annoyed

"I don't like her dad." Greg said trying not to blush but he just couldn't stop himself from going pink

"Don't torture yourself Greg. I know as well as you do that you like that girl really much. Why don't you just tell her how you feel? Or are you that scared?"

"It's not that simple dad. Trust me" Greg said to him

"Well whatever you do, I am proud of you alright. I know you will make the right decision" said in an encouraging tone

"I am going to sleep. Turn of the television before you go to sleep" said before going up to his bedroom. Greg laid back at his sofa staring at the blank wall not having a clue on what to do.

Next morning, Rebecca went to Home base looking for Greg. She went in and saw a lot of kids sitting down at the table with their friends and family. At the bar, she could see Kevin the manager and a few other bartenders. She was disappointed but went to the bar anyway

"Hi Kevin, where is Greg?" Rebecca asked with a smile as she sat in front of the bar.

"Greg took the night shift today. Didn't know what's the reason though" Kevin said to her.

"That's strange, I thought Greg always hates night shifts. I gotta call him. Bye Kevin" Rebecca said as she walked out dialing Greg's number.

At that moment, Greg's phone was ringing and it was Rebecca. He didn't want Rebecca to know what was happening. He was clearly avoiding her. He decided to just further his studies. He just put away his phone and and it went to voicemail

"Hey Greg, Where are you? Are you alright? Call me when you get this alright. Bye" Rebecca said then hung up.

"You know you gotta tell her somehow Greg" Mr. Serrano said looking at his son but he just shook his head putting his things on his box.

"She doesn't need to know alright dad" Greg said still packing his things.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. Greg went to open it and it was Josh standing there.

"Greg, I brought some stuff from New York" Josh said as he took a look inside and could see that he was packing

"Where are you going? What's going on?" Josh asked him and Greg tried to look away. He didn't want anyone to know that he was leaving West Covina.

TO BE CONTINUED