every month。 She couldn’t wait to show him some of the films she’d made。 She couldn’t wait to spend all day at the International Film Center； making out and watching movies。
Dan stood up。 “Follow me。” He led the way toward his bedroom。
“Is it a present？” Vanessa asked as she trailed down the hallway after him。 She hoped not。 They’d decided not to give presents to each other this holiday and instead put the money toward an emergency plane ticket fund so Dan could e visit when the distance was feeling unbearable。
“Nope。” Dan grabbed the acceptance letter off his desk and thrust it toward her； buzzing with anticipation。 He’d memorized every word。
Vanessa scanned the document while Dan watched。 He noticed a sparkly barrette sweeping a lock of hair behind her left ear。 Vanessa never used to wear jewelry。
She also never used to have hair。
Finally； Vanessa looked up； a faint smile playing on her full red lips。 “Does this mean you’re not going back to Evergreen？”
Dan nodded happily as he closed up the space between them and pressed her back against the doorframe。 “I hated Evergreen。 All I could do was think about you； and about us。 I couldn’t write without you。 I need you；” he said。 How did long…distance relationships ever work？ He could hardly stand to be in a different room than Vanessa。
“I know；” Vanessa murmured。 Dan’s breath was hot against her cheek。 Had Dan really spent every waking moment at Evergreen just thinking about her and wanting to e home？ She knew he hated it there； but hadn’t he even tried to like his classes？ To make friends？
“So； I was thinking we could live here until we find a place。 We could get a studio downtown。 It wouldn’t be that expensive；” Dan mused； running his fingers through Vanessa’s