Page 140 of Isolation

Damnit. I obviously needed to practice my spiel.

“Michelle.”

“It’s Michel.”

“I don’t like him.”

“He is sweet.”

“And you have a sweet tooth, even though we both know it’s bad for you.”

Raven stares at me for a moment and then bursts out laughing. I don’t join in. I want her to know that I am serious.

“You are serious! What is your problem with Michel anyways?”

“He is too old for you,” I say with my arms crossed.

“He is only four years older than me.”

“That’s too old.”

“Stop! You and Milo never think any boy is good enough for me.”

Raven sits up on the bed in Indian style. I join her on the bed and mimic her position. I am sitting across from her so she can see the sincerity in my eyes.

“Because they are not. Do you actually like him?” I hold my breath as I await her response.

“He is cool. I enjoy his company.”

“He is a total creep for chasing someone so much younger than him. And either way, we are going back to New York soon. It makes no sense to keep letting him get attached to you.”

“You think?”

“Yes!” I assert. “He is all over you. It’s best if you end it now before it gets messier.”

“Hmm… good point. I will think about it.”

“What is there to think about?”

I don’t get it. All I am asking her to do is break up with this douchebag.Why won’t Raven be reasonable?

“Well, I might come back to Paris. It would be nice to have a ready-made boyfriend if I came back.”

“What!” I can’t keep the hurt out of my voice. “You are moving to Paris? Since when?” She is going to leave me? She didn’t even discuss it with me.

“Well, Paris School of Fashion has a great program. And mom is finally settled in one city instead of traveling all the time. If I do my undergraduate degree in Paris, then I will get to be in the fashion capital of the world. They even do non-credit semester internships. I am almost done at Wellington with my core classes. So, I can try out a remote internship during my last semester, to see if I like it. Call it a test trial.” She must have noticed the disdain on my face because she quickly adds, “It’s just an idea. An additional option.”

“And FIT?” I can barely keep my voice steady.

“Another great option.”

I can’t formulate any words so I stay quiet. Raven and I have talked about her going to Fashion Institute of Technology and me going to New York University. Possibly even getting an apartment together.

We never solidified the plans, but we did talk about it.

I want to work for Wall Street after I am done with my undergraduate and she wants to be in fashion.

New York is also a great option for what Raven wants to do in the future but Paris is not a great option for what I want to do.