Chapter Thirty-Seven - Addison - Explain!

                                    

                                          
Addison 
                          
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I stared at the email in disbelief, my fingers barely grasping onto the edges of the screen. 
                          
Congratulations Addison Cruz! 
                          
After reviewing your application, financial aid application, and outstanding resume, we would like to extend the Go Green! Scholarship to your financial aid package and admission. With this prestigious scholarship, you will be able to attend Michigan State University as a full-time student with tuition, room and board, and a stipend for books and supplies for the next school year. 
                          
The eligibility of your scholarship is contingent upon maintaining a 3.5 GPA and completing the Honors College requirements for each enrollment level. 
                          
To accept your award, please accept it via your Michigan State University Financial Aid Portal. A response is needed by May 1st with your declared program of study. 
                          
Thank you, and we look forward to having you as a student on our campus, 
                          
Michigan State University Admissions
                          
My mouth was dry. I've probably checked to see the legitimacy of the email address about fifteen hundred times and have even screenshotted it on the MSU homepage to compare. 
                          
The email was real, and I could go to Michigan State with little to no cost as long as I kept my grades up. I only had slightly more than a month to respond. Was this a real possibility that I could potentially go to school with Melanie? We didn't have to be long-distance? 
                          
More importantly, I could go there without taking out a buttload of student loans? 
                          
Did I want to do this? Did I think my relationship with Melanie was worth going across the country? 
                          
"Of course," I muttered to myself without hesitance. Why would I even think that? Every waking moment of my consciousness I think about her, and when I'm sleeping all I dream about is being in her arms. This weekend was just a reminder of how our love was growing each minute we spent with each other, and this opportunity would only make our relationship stronger.
                          
And while I didn't want to think about this, at least if it didn't work out, I could still go to MSU without going into crippling debt. I mean, if we broke up, I might be heartbroken for a bit, but as long as I keep that 3.5 throughout my undergraduate, then I would keep the scholarship. I don't think I remembered the last time I had a GPA below a 3.5...because my mom would kill me if that happened. 
                          
My parents. 
                          
Sure, I think they would be so proud of me for obtaining a full-ride scholarship to an out-of-state school. But, was I ready to hide my sexuality - my relationship with Melanie from that?
                          
Could I live my life happily with Melanie, but still feel like a fraud? 
                          
I shook my head at those thoughts, not wanting them to invade the celebration party occurring in my mind. Today was a happy day, and the doubts I was having could wait another day. 
                          
Right now, I wanted to tell my girlfriend the news. 
                          
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I didn't think twice about opening Melanie's door mostly because I already had the email pulled up with a grin on my face. Therefore, I didn't find it odd that the front door was already slightly ajar or a tossed duffel bag in the foyer. 
                          
Yet, my smile quickly faded and my skipping halted once I heard the two familiar voices screaming at each other in the living room. 
                          
It wasn't like I was spying, if Melanie or Cierra were to turn their heads slightly my way, I would obviously be in their vicinity. However, the scene before me with Melanie in her workout clothes, her back taut, and her hands shoved into her pockets while Cierra stood practically naked in front of her.