November 19TH 2017

"I DID IT." Max yelled across the house, running towards Adam and Kristina, who were watching TV in the living room.

"What is going on?" Kristina asked, muting the TV.

"I will be going to college next year." Max said with a smile on his face. "I applied to University of Southern California, and was accepted."

"You applied to college? When? What?" Kristina asked.

"Max, that is great." Adam chimed in, "when did you do all this?"

"A month ago." Max replied, "Hank helped me with my portfolio and paid my application fee. I will be attending the fall."

"We will have to discuss it." Kristina said, giving Adam a concerned look.

Several Days Later

The following day, while Max was off working at a shoot with Hank, Kristina stopped by Chambers Academy, knocking on Adam's office.

"Honey, what are you doing here?" He asked, peering up from the papers he was looking at

"I think we need to talk about Max. I just don't think he is ready for that. I think it's great that he got into a university, especially for photography, something that he loves, but I just don't think he can live on his own yet. "

"I understand what you are saying, but I think he can possibly do this. He graduated high school over a year ago and college is the next step for any kid."

"But he isn't any kid, he is Max." Kristina defended. "I was figuring he just keep working for Hank. Maybe try to get him into a community college class. Chambers is just very different than the main stream school system, and completely different than what college would be like."

"I know. I would hate for his limitations to be the reason he passes up an opportunity like this though. Moving on to the next step of his life could do him some real good."

"I don't know. I have a meeting, I will see you at home." Kristina left the office, leaving Adam frustrated with the situation.

Later that day, Adam decided to visit Hank to get his view on the situation. He went over to Hank's studio after work, and was met by Sarah.

"Hey, do you know where Hank is?" He asked Sarah, walking in the door.

"Umm. Nice to see you too?" She said, confused, "he will be back in 10 minutes from a shoot. Did you need something?"

"I had a question." Adam said, smiling, "Something with Max." Sarah and Adam then spent the next few minutes catching up about the recent couple of day, before Hank walked in the door.

"Hi Hank," Adam approached him, "Max told us you helped him fill out a college application?"

"Oh yea, I did." Hank said, setting his cameras down. "He told me he needed help, and I figured I was best suited to help him with the whole portfolio thing."

"Thank you for helping him. We just wish you would have talked to us about it first. That would be a huge, life changing decision for him to go to college."

"I understand. I just tried to help. I am not even sure he will get in. It's pretty competitive over there."

"He got in." Adam said, starting to smile.

"Wow. Congrats! Do you think he is going to go?" Hank asked.

"We aren't sure yet. You work with him almost every day. Be honest, do you think he has what it takes?"

"I do. He has a great eye. I think that kid could make it far. Really! You know Max and I aren't that different, and I didn't get that whole college experience. I went to community college for a few years, then dropped out to take pictures. Sometimes I wish I had gone through with college. Don't sell Max short. He is capable of more than you may think."

"Thanks Hank." Adam said, before leaving the studio

That evening at dinner, Max brought up the topic once more.

"I think I should accept and commit to USC tonight, so I secure my spot."

"Don't worry about your spot Max. I think you should look at other schools, we can go visit, talk some more. There is no rush for this." Adam said, trying to reassure his son.

"Buddy, there is no reason to do this right now." Kristina said, still unsure about the situation. "Let's take our time and think about it."

"Max is going to college." Nora chimed in.

That night, when Adam and Kristina were getting ready for bed, the topic was brought up once more.

"What do you think we should tell him?" Adam asked, "I talked to Hank, and he thinks it might be good for him to get out."

"You are basing this choice off what Hank thinks?"

"Honey, they are very similar. I thought it would be a good perspective to have." Adam said. "Lets just give it a chance."

"We don't' even know much about this school. Haddie did so much research and preparing before picking a college. I feel like we would be going in blind here. How far away is it? How many students go there? Do they have services for people with Asperger's? Would he be okay living in the dorms-?" Kristina started to list all her worries and concerns, before Adam cut her off.

"Let's figure it out. What do you say next weekend, we go on a tour. Take Max, and go see the campus. Who knows he may love it, or he may hate it."

Kristina sighed. "We can go on a tour."

Listening to his parent's conversation from rooms away, Max smiled. He was going to college.

Hello, note from the author. I want to start writing more of this, but I need to know there are stills fans. Please review this chapter or the others, so I know I am writing for someone! Also please let me know if you want to see any specific characters coming up soon!