Page 119 of All of You

“Hey, babe, I was just thinking about you. You seem awfully excited to go back to RootBound now that swim season’s over.”

She flops on top of me on the bed and peppers my entire face with kisses. “Don’t be daft. I am not not excited to see Viv again and work but that isnotwhat I’m worked up about.”

I wrap my arms around her and burrow my fingers into her sides until she’s cursing and laughing so hard that her whole body is convulsing.

“What is it then?” I ask still tickling her. She can’t get a word out she’s wheezing with laughter so hard.

She manages to break from my hold and pins myhands to the bed.

“I got into my top pick!”

Delia’s eyes gleam with excitement as she stares down at me, her breath coming in short bursts. As jolt of anticipation courses through my veins, mirroring the electric energy radiating from her.

“That’s incredible, Delia!” I exclaim, my voice infused with genuine enthusiasm. “What’s your top pick?”

Her grip tightened on my hands as she leaned in closer, her eyes shining with unbridled joy.

“U of M,” she says breathlessly. “I have a full ride if I swim for them. A full flipping ride.”

“That’s amazing. And not super far.”

She collapses to the side of me and stares up at the ceiling still breathing hard.

“Did you run here or something? Why are you so out of breath?”

She giggles.

“What the heck is going on? Why’s everyone screaming and hollering?”

“Anderson! Out!” I yell and at the same time Delia sits up and says, “I’m going to U of M. It’s really exciting.”

Anderson pouts. “For who? You and Lang are leaving and I’ll have no one to hang out with.”

My face contorts in confusion.

“Buddy, what are you talking about?” I ask.

“You’re leaving me all alone.”

Delia leaps off the bed and scoops Anderson into a bearhug. “Dude. I won’t be far. You can even come visit if you want. And I’ll be home plenty. Just think… you’ll finally getallof the attention here. No more boring Langdon to interfere with your parent’s time.”

He pushes back from her slightly, his eyes a little watery.

“Yeah, bud, Dad will have all the time in the world to hang with you. And I won’t be far either you know. I’ll be home plenty I promise. And I can take you to visit D if you want.”

Both their heads whip around to face me.

“You picked a school?” Delia asks as her eyes widen in surprise.

Nervousness bubbles inside me. Ihaven’tcommitted to a school yet but I got into the Architect Institute and it’s my top choice.

“Yeah. I got into The Architect Institute. I really wanna go.”

“Why wouldn’t you?” she asks. “Is it too expensive?”

I shake my head. “No. I got enough aid to make it all work.”

“Then what?” she pushes.