LOGINShare
18 -Now You’re Digging Where There’s Taters
Dad and I decided there was no way he would be driving me across the country to California. So if I was flying, I would have to be travelling light and just get a lot of things once I got there. Dad flew out with me, but only had a carry-on for himself, leaving me to be able to put two suitcases under his ticket. I tried like hell to pare down, but I still had so much I wanted to bring.
I had hoped to share my excitement for leaving with mom, but she was MIA, yet again. Erik was now stationed in southern Georgia and rather busy so our main communication was by email. He was so happy I was getting out of white suburbia and forging my own path in life. Constantly hearing him tell me how proud he was, just gave me the confidence I needed and wasn’t getting from mom.
We landed in San Francisco and it was nothing like I had ever seen. The people se
Related chapters
Gifted Shadows 19 - Just Go With It
That first semester just blew by and even though it was a tough decision, I decided to stay in California for Christmas break. I spent Christmas and New Years with the Evans' of course, they hosted small parties at their beautiful home for both holidays.Honestly, I wanted the quiet time to just reflect. I spent so much time thinking, 'how did I get here?' I told Erik all the time how lucky I felt, but he would assure me that I deserved it because of my hard work and talent.I did bust my ass, having a 4.0 GPA meant everything to me. I did have some unwanted attention from a few boys, but I shrugged them off. I didn’t have time for that nonsense. There were always parties going on, but I found it easy to stay away from that life.I had a mini fridge, microwave and small toaster oven in my roo
Gifted Shadows 20 - I Froze Like An Idiot
With as much as I had to drink you would think I would have passed right out. But I took a shower and found myself lying in bed, staring out the window. It was taking every ounce of restraint not to call Fletcher's number and beg him to come back.I don't know what it was about him, but he just seemed so familiar and if I'm being honest, I just wanted to smell him again. Should have kept his damn hoodie, I laughed to myself.I don't know why but I immediately thought how funny it would be to take him home. Tall, dark and handsome, what would dad and Erik think of him? And then I thought, shit ... how would I explain how we met?Yeah ... I won't be bringing him up to the family anytime soon. I woke up at about 8:45, but felt like I hadn't even slept. My mind was racing and all I could think about wa
Gifted Shadows 21 - Some Color
So the racial makeup of Stanford wasn't exactly heavy with black students. I want to say it's mostly white with the next largest percentage being Asian and then maybe Latino. I didn't really see a whole lot of black kids, but apparently Fletch knew quite a few.We took a cab to a house party. My guard was immediately up, remembering to be cautious about my drinks. I felt like I could trust Fletch, but again, I really didn't know him.Hell, I didn’t even know his last name. We got out of the cab and he took my hand in his. It was pretty much twice the size of mine, but it was so warm. He led me into the house, saying hi to several people on the way to find the bar."What’ll you have sweetie?"That southern accent...damn hot.
Gifted Shadows 22 - I’ll Just Say It
Over the next two weeks I saw as much as much of Fletch as I possibly could. He was proving to be quite a distraction though, even Chris noticed that I seemed to be daydreaming.We had just finished a long distance learning class with Noora, my pal from Qatar. She had made some progress on a problem and everyone was pretty excited."Penny for your thoughts," Chris said looking at me."Is it a boy?"I scoffed, "you know I'm not going to tell you anything because you're going to run right back and tell my dad!""Come on! Give me a little more confidence than that. You can tell me! I mean you’ve been here what nearly a year now, it was bound to happen."
Gifted Shadows 23 - Stop Overthinking It
When I saw Fletch later that night, I told him about my conversation with Chris.He laughed and said, "why are you so nervous about me meeting them?"I said "I don't know it's not like they're my real parents ... but in a way they are. I mean I had a boyfriend in high school but everyone already knew him and nobody poked around and asked questions really."He came from behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist, and nuzzled his face in my neck, making me melt."Well really, meeting Chris and Mary is going to be a walk in the park compared to my real family. So yeah, I guess I don't know why I'm nervous about it."He laughed and said, "well I'm going to put off having you meet my family foreve
Gifted Shadows 24 - Are You Going To Tell Her?
"I still feel like we should have brought something," I said as we pulled up to Chris's house.“Well you wanted to bring wine but neither of us can buy it so…” he said stating the obvious.“I know but it just seems like if you go to someone's house for dinner you're supposed to bring something.”I gaped at the house, well it was a mansion really. We got out of the cab and walked toward the door and it immediately flew open.Mary stood in the doorway just beaming, “we're so happy you could make it!“As if I had much of a choice, I thought to myself.She practically jumped on Fletch, giving him a hug. He
Gifted Shadows 25 - Just Breathe
Tuesday was finally here and I was a nervous wreck. I was dressed in my most “adult” looking outfit, which Fletch said looked like a job interview suit so I was feeling pretty good.I had already emailed some of my latest work to the professor. I didn’t even notice I was shaking until Chris snatched my hand and held it in his.“Calm down Rae, he’s just a person like anyone else,” he said with a smile.“Yeah yeah sure, easy for you to say,” I whispered.The call started up and the Swedish translator was going on and on, I had no idea what they were saying. Suddenly, there he was, Dr. Karlsson, looking like Einstein. He basically was Einstein to me, and to so many.
Gifted Shadows 26 - I Knew You’d Love It
The next couple of weeks were just kind of a blur --- summer semester and my Fletcher. Dad was already trying to arrange Christmas break, as Erik was going to get leave and he would have us both home at the same time. Dad was also adamant I bring Fletch home with me, and I wasn’t sure I was ready for that.I never got any resolution with Dr. Karlsson, he had not been in touch with us at all. I felt robotic, just going through the motions but not actually enjoying life. The monotony of things came to a halt one late Thursday afternoon when I got back from class to find Fletch in my room with two suitcases.I noticed that one of them was mine.“Are you leaving me,” I said with a raised eyebrow.Fletch laughed, “we’re bo
Latest chapter
Gifted Shadows 86 - She Sacrificed Her Dignity
Gifted Shadows 85 - The New Best Night Of My Life
Gifted Shadows 84 - I'm The Lucky One
Gifted Shadows 83 - The Village
Gifted Shadows 82 - I Know These Guys
Gifted Shadows 81 - Care To Comment
Gifted Shadows 80 - Good Luck With This One
Gifted Shadows 79 - Rubberband
Gifted Shadows 78 - Run
