You Don't Belong to My New Life

My teacher, Madison Warner, came to me today, pride shining in her eyes. "Iale University's recruitment advisors called. The two of you scored at the top of the city on your SATs. You're now eligible to fill out this application form and write an essay about how you envision your future."

I glanced at Aaron.

He spun a pen between his fingers with casual indifference.

"Ugh. Somebody save me from attending the same university as Bernadette." His eyes were cold and distant. "I want to go to the same place as Rebecca."

Madison leapt to her feet in shock. Her glasses nearly slid off her nose. "Wait, are you serious? Rebecca's results could barely get her into second-rate colleges. You're better than that."

Aaron remained unfazed. He stood and set one foot on his chair, his back straight. He carried the air of someone used to being obeyed and admired.

"So what if she's not a high scorer? She's talented in her own ways. Her abilities can't be measured by some arbitrary exams," he said with a sneer. "Just wait. She's going places."

His gaze passed over me and fixed on something, or someone, outside the staff office.

Rebecca leaned against the doorframe with her head lowered, chewing her lip, like a shy, withdrawn girl.

Aaron's eyes softened. I had never seen them so gentle.

His attention returned to me, and his tone hardened. "As for Bernadette, she's indeed impressive, but she's rigid and bound by rules. I'm looking for someone who can stand beside me as an equal, not someone who thinks memorizing an entire textbook means anything."

Madison trembled with anger. "What happened to you, Aaron? I thought you were friends with Bernadette. What's so bad about attending Iale with her? Even if you'd rather go somewhere else, that doesn't mean you should ruin your future by choosing lesser institutions.

"The gap between Ivy League schools and second-rate institutions is already wide. If you go somewhere even lower than that, you'll miss out on real opportunities. It's more than just the quality of education."

Aaron straightened his collar without concern. None of it affected him.

He moved with the quiet confidence of a top student. "Bernadette may have helped me in class, but we were never more than that. What I want is someone who will stand with me as I build my business empire. Right now, that person is Becky."

He kept looking at her, his eyes warm and strangely intense.

I thought I understood. Aaron must have regressed into this moment, just as I had.

We had not stayed together to the end. This time, he could not wait to correct his regrets.

In the past, this would have upset me enough to keep me awake at night. This time, I remained calm.

Madison threw up her hands in frustration. "Fine. Do whatever you want. Just make sure you don't regret it."

He smiled resolutely.