A Hope and a Chance(82)
Author: Jennifer Foor

Once I got back to the pool house I sat there waiting for Hope to show up. She took her time getting back, and I knew part of it was because she had to show her face in the main house before paying me a “friendly visit”.

She ambled in the door and stopped immediately when she saw me sitting there. “Before you say anything I want to apologize.”

“I’d prefer it if we just forget it ever happened. Hope, I’m going to college, and I plan on getting a degree. Even if I went to a school a couple hours away, it wouldn’t change anything between us. Besides, I’d want you there with me.”

She smiled and swayed her body as she stood there. “I don’t want to lose you. If you say you want me with you, I’ll be there.”

After much consideration we decided to go spend a day at Virginia Tech to check out the campus and the baseball organization. Since mine and Hope’s falling out she’d been more positive about me at least seeing it through. I wanted her to come with me, and Mark had pushed the idea just as much in an optimistic way, thinking Hope would fall in love with the campus and would want to go too.

Our day had been planned out so we took Hope’s car knowing that Mark wouldn’t allow her on my bike. It was starting to get entirely too cold to be riding a motorcycle around anyway.

We left early in the morning, and by the time we’d made it to campus we’d stopped three times. Once was to get gas in Hope’s car. The next was because Hope drank a large coffee and couldn’t hold her bladder. The third was because she said she was starving to death. I didn’t mind though, because anytime with her was nice. I still liked teasing her about it though.

When we walked onto the campus I noticed that it was a bit overwhelming for Hope. The community college was nothing compared in size to this, and she seemed genuinely afraid. While the sports coordinator showed me around she tagged along behind us, taking more of a sister approach as opposed to my girlfriend. It was easier that way for both of us since we never knew who the friends with her father were.

After we’d toured what appeared to be the entire sports facility we took a break for lunch. Hope and I purchased some sandwiches from the cafeteria and found a shaded spot in the grass. The sun was shining, and thankfully the temperature was over sixty degrees. I pulled Hope between my legs after we were done eating. While the breeze blew her hair around her face, we watched as the students congregated all around us.

“So what do you think?” I asked.

She shrugged. “So far it seems pretty cool. It’s bigger than I imagined it to be. How about you? Are you ready to move out here?”

“The facility is nice and it seems like they have a good program going here, but you know I’m nervous about starting back up again. It’s really been a long time. I don’t know if I’ll be ready enough to play this coming spring,” I admitted.

I kissed the top of her forehead. She pulled my arms across her chest tighter. “So, how far do you think the dorms are away from each other?”

I wondered if Hope was actually considering going to school here. I’d explained to her about the strict curfews that I would have to abide by if I was on the team. Between practice and classes, our time together would be limited. I knew it was hard for her to take, because it was also difficult for me. I didn’t like the little time we had now, and then it would be cut into half. Sure, we could be together more freely, but by then she would be eighteen and it really wouldn’t matter too much. We planned on telling Mark about our relationship once the wedding was over.

“We need to go meet that guy about it now actually.” I lifted Hope up easily to a standing position then stood up behind her. Since the sports director was not around I could hold her hand without her worrying who would see. When I grabbed it, she looked up at me and smiled.

The next hour or so was spent exploring around the large property. The dorms were situated in different areas on campus, and honestly there was no way to tell where one would be placed. Hope seemed uneasy as we toured each room. They were small, and although she was used to a small room at her mother’s, she now had a huge one that she didn’t have to share with anyone else.

When the guy giving us the tour talked about roommates I thought Hope was going to pass out. I squeezed her hand to let her know I hated it too.

Once we were finally done toddling around with the guide he offered that we could explore anywhere we wanted to. Hope and I thanked him for his time and began walking around the different buildings. Of course, this university offered so much more than the community college. It was a good school.

As we were strolling through, we heard someone calling my name. I continued holding Hope’s hand, not really caring anymore who would see. The baseball director that knew Hope’s dad was approaching us. I still never let go of her hand. She looked up at me and I winked at her, letting her know that I just didn’t care. No matter what, we were going to be together.

“Mr. Avery, I forgot to give you this information booklet. It has all kinds of questions and answers, and if you can’t find anything feel free to give me a call. Also, we need to set up a time for you to come in and practice with the team. We need to get a feel for your playing skills. I’ve seen you play, but others are curious if you still have what it takes,” he said.

I grabbed the brochure and shook the guy’s hand. “Thanks! I’ll be glad to come in whenever you suggest.”

As he strode away I looked at Hope and shrugged. We’d finally toured every inch of the campus and climbed in Hope’s car with sore feet. The college was listed as twenty six hundred acres, but it seemed like we walked forty miles.

Hope decided to drive home while I looked through the information that we’d gotten from the tours and the sports director. I was already familiar with most of the information. Most universities have the same type of guidelines. One thing that caught my attention was that freshman needed to live on campus, but after that they could live off campus. There was even a coed dorm available. I knew Hope and I couldn’t room together, but if we were in the same building it would be easier to spend time together. Besides, neither of us would be there on scholarship. That meant we could live off campus together if we wanted.

Maybe I was getting overly excited. Just imagining being in college with Hope at my side was overwhelming. She may have overreacted before, but now she seemed just as interested as I did.

“Did you like it?” I asked.