The Learning Curve: Chapter 97
Edward Cullen's House
Edward's room was dim with the light of late afternoon when I woke the second time, this time without any external interruption. I turned over and found Edward sitting up on the bed, working on his laptop.
"What are you doing?" I asked groggily.
"Filling out your Dartmouth financial aid application," he said without missing a beat. I sat up and looked at the screen.
"How do you know my social security number?" I demanded.
He shrugged. "I memorized it off your college applications. You'll have to complete some of this, though. I have no idea what your dad's annual income is. And what about your mom?"
"She won't contribute anything. Do I have to put her on there?"
Edward shrugged. "I'm not sure. I'll have to do some research." I watched him save and close the PDF version of the application. He pulled up his internet browser and turned his head to me. "I have something to show you."
"Okay," I said warily. At this point, I wouldn't have been surprised if he pulled up the website of a bank he thought would be good to rob for my tuition.
Instead, he pulled up a real estate website showing apartments expected to be available in the fall in Hanover.
"I think I found the perfect apartment," he said. "It's small, but it looks really nice, and it's close to campus."
"Edward," I hesitated, "don't you think we're getting ahead of ourselves? I mean, we don't know yet if I'll be able to afford Dartmouth, and you haven't gotten your response from them."
"Actually...I have."
"What?" I screeched. "When? Why didn't you tell me?"
Edward winced. "The letter came on Wednesday. I didn't want to say anything until we knew whether you got in; I didn't want you to start worrying. I was going to tell you yesterday, but then your dad showed up, and with everything with Alice...well, it didn't seem like the right time."
"I'm not sure I like you hiding something like that from me," I complained, although I could admit to myself that he was probably right about the worrying.
"Would you forgive me if I told you I've filled out about fifteen scholarship applications for you?" he asked hopefully.
I tried to imagine filling out fifteen scholarship applications after all the college applications, and I decided I could forgive my boyfriend by reason of his extreme wonderfulness. "Yeah, okay."
"We will find a way for you to go," Edward promised. "We're going to explore every possible option. And you're going to keep your promise not to keep score and let me help in every way I can."
"Okay," I said, allowing myself to be reassured. I leaned against his arm and looked at the computer screen. "Show me the apartment?"
Edward grinned and began to rattle on about the apartment, about the single bedroom with the large window and the tiny living room that we could probably fit two desks in, and I let the hope I'd been suppressing rush in and fill my heart.
A/N: Glad the reposting helped with the FFN issues. Gracious.
I've been meaning of late to give a shout-out to all the French readers. I find you complètement charmantes.