It was a month after school had ended, and the day after graduation when Adam and the rest of his grade stepped into their town's amphitheater. Their friends, parents, and other family members watched on as each of them stepped up to the set-up podium to be congratulated on reaching adulthood. He still remembered the end of his principal's speech vividly.
"...And now we welcome these youths to the end of their youthful education. No matter where they end up, whatever you decide to pursue, I believe in you and hope you succeed. Please give your applause to the graduating class of twenty-one twenty-nine!" And adam was filled with pride as the stadium filled with applause. Looking around, he saw that the other students were the same, standing taller and prouder just like him...
"Watch where you are walking!" Prime mentally shouted to Adam, snapping him out of his daydreams, and allowing him to walk around a tree planted in the middle of the sidewalk. Adam had gotten more used to Prime, and while he didn't unconditionally trust the passenger in his brain, Adam had started to enjoy his presence ever since Prime had helped him pass finals.
Adam and Olly had already sent their requests to be admitted to Oregon State, and both of them had received letters in the mail today. They were going to meet up later today to open them together. In the meantime, Charlie had wanted to go out to eat today, so they were meeting at Lockstep Cafe for breakfast.
He saw her in the back, a breakfast sandwich in the middle of the table half eaten. He wandered over and sat down across from her, grabbing the other half with a "hey" and taking a bite. He looked over confused when she didn't return his hello.
She was staring down at her thumbs which she was pushing together, her auburn hair covering her expression.
"...Everything okay?" He asked after swallowing.
"...I got my letter back." She said quietly.
Adam's heart sank. He knew Europa was pretty high-end, but he never imagined that Charlie wouldn't be able to get in. "I'm sorry, you must-"
"I got in." Her interruption made him stall. If she got in, why was she looking so torn up?
"Then..?"
"I... The transport shuttle leaves tomorrow, And first-years aren't allowed personal devices..." She said slowly, almost agonizingly.
"That's fine then. It's less time than I'd like, but congratulations." He said, visibly relaxing as he took his second bite.
"I can't Adam... I can't do a long-distance relationship like this." He paused, swallowing hard as he opened his mouth to say something, but she continued speaking, cutting him off. "And no, you can't visit me, You're already going to university, and your family isn't rich enough for you to constantly get on a shuttle to visit me. I'm also not allowed to leave Europa Station."
"...Then... you're just breaking up with..." He couldn't finish the sentence. Disappointment, anger, grief, and other emotions were swirling around his head. Prime was doing that thing he did where he tried to calm Adam down, but Adam barely noticed.
"I'm sorry." She said as she got up, pushing her chair in. "If we're still available after the year is over... I wouldn't mind getting back together. You're a really nice guy, but I can't be in a relationship with no contact for months."
Adam sat there, stunned as she walked out the door.
"...Shit. Do you... hate her for that?" Olly asked as Adam just finished telling him about what happened at the Cafe. Adam leaned forward while resting his head in his hands.
"I- I don't- I just wish she had at least tried. She just... gave up on our relationship. Yeah, I couldn't go up there every week, but if I tried... I probably could have visited at least once a month."
"Freaking hell... of all the reasons, sorry, I can't really say much more, you know I would have helped you see her..." Olly said, the fact that he didn't know what to say clearly on his face.
"...Let's just open our letters. I need some good news." Adam finally said, trying to lighten the mood.
They both counted down from three before ripping their letters open. Afterward, they stood still, neither having the courage to look at the actual content. However, with a loud exclamation of "Fuck it!" Olly swiftly and decisively pulled the contents of his letter out like some macabre killer pulling the innards of his victim out.
There was a deafening silence, the only sound that of shuffling paper as Olly scanned through the thick stack of synthetic papers in his hands. Finally, a large grin stretched his face as he pulled his head back and laughed. All the room's tension was released with that laugh, allowing Adam to breathe finally.
It was clear as day that Olly had been accepted, and with no further hesitation, Adam ripped the contents of his letter out of the envelope, grinning from ear to ear, all misery forgotten.
Minutes passed by as he read, and his joyous grin slowly got smaller and smaller, before disappearing entirely. Tears threatened to escape his eyes as he continued reading through blurred vision.
'-is a publicly funded university, and while our standards for entry are lower than other institutions, we are a civilian-level university. Even with a Psionic Cache Index of Twenty, we regret to inform you that your Grade point average of two point seven is not enough to qualify for entry this year due to an upsurge of applicants. In light of your high Psionic Index, Oregon State University has placed you near the top of our waitlist. We would be glad to have you if any applicants decide to drop out before the school year begins.'
Olly finally looked over, his glee pausing in its tracks at the sight of Adam. Adam merely handed his letter over to Olly, The boy's own face began to match his friend's as he read through the rejection.
All Adam could do was put his face in his hands, and try his hardest not to weep...