Hey everyone…thanks for the reviews. I really appreciate each and every one…they are so encouraging. In honor of the girls' day I have planned for this lovely Chicago Sunday, (I live in Chicago) I think I will provide Kelsi with one also. Besides after the bomb Ryan dropped on her in the last chapter…I think she needs some girl therapy.

Juilliard Year 3 (Part 2)

I rubbed the sleep out of my eyes, as I sat up in my tiny twin bed. (Marissa and I may have been living in an apartment, but seriously…I think our bedrooms were the size of a closet.) As I let out a huge yawn, yesterday's discussion with Ryan came rushing back. He had confessed his feelings for me. I was in such shock after his departure; I don't think I was able to truly wrap my mind around everything that happened. But now, in the light of day, with a full night of sleep…comprehension was dawning.

I waited for my usual panic to set in…and waited…and waited…and…nothing. Wait, what? No panic. I, Kelsi Nielson the queen of blushes, increased heart rate and butterflies was…calm. Wow, I like calm…no, scratch that…I LOVE calm.

I took off running out of my bedroom, my bare feet pounding on the old hardwood floors of my apartment…

"MARISSA!" I yelled. (Now looking back on this, I realize yelling to wake up Riss at oh…7 in the morning, not the way to get on her good side.)

I ran into Marissa's closet-sized room and jumped on her bed…and incidentally on top of her.

"Marissa…wake up. I have had an epiphany and you need to wake up…right now!"

Marissa's long golden arms peaked out from under her down comforter to remove the pillow from her head. As she sat up in bed all I saw was a bunch of blonde hair.

"Marissa…are you in there?" I said, as I started pealing hair away from her face.

In one swoop her fingers removed the hair from her face and revealed very tired …and very unhappy brown eyes…uh oh.

"Kelsi, is there a fire?" Marissa's raspy voice got out.

I shook my head "no". My blue eyes widened as Marissa continued.

"Are we being attacked by aliens?" (Marissa had this odd fear regarding aliens.)

Once again, I shook my head.

"No to both of those huh…well then the only other reason that you would be waking me up at this ungodly hour would be if the man of my dreams is at the front door."

I tried to stifle my smile as I looked at my disgruntled roommate.

"Well what if your roommate needs a girl's day because she just realized the man she loves has "feelings" for her. And while she is happy about this, there is some fear also. Oh…oh...oh…and big news on your roommate and best friend's usual panic attacks….she hasn't had one."

Marissa's brown eyes held the sparkle of laughter.

"Well…that is big news." She said, "I would even go so far as to say that definitely tops the possibility of an alien invasion."

I threw myself into Marissa's arms and hugged her briefly before pulling her to her feet. (And seeing as she is over 6 feet tall and I am struggling at just over 5 feet…pulling her out of bed wasn't easy.)

"Alright dear, you go see when "Golden Girls" is on Lifetime and I will start the tea." Stated Marissa.

I gave Riss my most irrisistable smile.

"Could you maybe make one of your famous omelets too?" I asked sweetly.

Marissa returned my sugary smile.

"I may be inclined to provide you with an omelet…if you promise to play me my platypus song later?"

I busted up laughing.

"Deal." I managed to say over my laughter.

I pretty much floated on cloud nine for the rest of junior year and into the summer before my senior year at Juilliard. Ryan and I had yet to truly discuss his feelings and our relationship, but just knowing that he had been feeling the same things that I already felt was enough. I mean, by this point "patience" was pretty much my middle name. And while my patience remained resilient…the people closest to me (not including Ryan) started to lose their patience concerning my situation. You see…I was stuck in limbo. While I wasn't in an official relationship with Ryan, I didn't feel single either. As I look back on my last year at Juilliard, I realize I had no way of comprehending the amount of heartache… and happiness I was about to experience.

Oh no…cliffhanger. So, this is a short chapter…but it was necessary to preface the drama that is coming up for senior year. (Only 3 chapters left…man, it's hard to believe I just started writing this fic 3 days ago.)