Chapter Thirty-Six: The G-Word

"Rory! Please tell me your home?!"

I was sitting in my room, literally finishing everything I had left for college. My last days of college were nearly here, and it was kind of scary but satisfying at the same time. I was still waiting to hear back from Yale, something else that terrified me but honestly I had a backup plan if all else failed, I just hadn't exactly told anyone that.

"What? It couldn't possibly be another emergency. I know I haven't seen Clarke for a whole day but I spoke to him on the phone and he was fine," I yelled after her as I walked into the lounge room.

"No, course not. It's actually good for once, or at least I hope. I can't take anything else bad right now. We've been through enough," Ava sighed.

"So what is it?" I frowned as I now stood in front of her.

"This."

She held out something for me to see and it took me a moment, but once I realised what it was, I realised why there was such urgency to the situation.

"Is that...?" I said slowly.

"Your Yale letter? Yeah, it definitely is," Ava smiled. "So...are you going to open it, or stare at it?"

"I feel like maybe staring at it for a while. That seems good," I told her cautiously.

"Oh, come on, Rory. You are so getting in," Ava sighed immediately. "You didn't seem scared about this before."

"Yeah, well, I was, I just lied," I told her. "I mean, why did it take so long to get this? Why didn't I get it back in March?"

"Its April, it's not that late," Ava assured me. "Plus, you said it yourself once, Yale is hard to get into, they take longer to accept people."

I nodded. I had said that, which is why I already had a backup plan. "Which is why I applied elsewhere as well, actually three others."

"Wait, you applied to three?" Ava asked. "I mean, I only know about Columbia, which as far as I know you haven't gotten into yet?"

"Well...I have," I breathed out, "and NYU and Stanford."

"Are you kidding me? And you're only just telling me now?" Ava nearly yelled.

"I...I didn't want my backup plans to be the one I have to go with so I didn't say anything," I admitted, "but now with this letter, it feels great that I did that."

Ava sighed and then looked down at the letter. Yale was seriously my dream, it was my everything. I pinned my future on it, my future job and education. Before I could say anything else Ava made a move.

"Hey, what are you doing?" I asked, stepping to her.

"Opening it for you," Ava answered, as she tore it open. "Sometimes you need me to rip the band aid off for you. Stop me if you don't want me to."

She paused and allowed me to grab the letter if I wanted to. I didn't however make a move. Maybe hearing it out of Ava's mouth would be easier.

She smiled at me and continue to open the envelope, and then pulled out the letter. She opened it and I saw her scan it, move her mouth slightly as she read it, but didn't say anything out loud.

"So...?" I pressured her when she didn't speak.

Ava moved the letter from her face to look at me. "Dear Miss Edwards, congratulations and welcome to Yale Law School!"

I stood there for second, taking a moment to take it in. Ava didn't need a minute though, she already screaming in glee...so I decided to join her, well maybe not scream but let out a bit of squeal and then hug Ava as she hugged me.

"See, I told you," Ava said as she pulled out of the hug and gave me a little nudge. "You are way too smart. They would've been crazy not to accept you. They were just being all pretentious by waiting to tell you."

I rolled my eyes slightly. "Oh god, this is actually happening. Holy crap."

"Well course it is. You've worked hard for this," Ava reminded me.

"I just mean, since I was old enough to understand what a career was I knew I wanted this," I told Ava. "Back then though I couldn't have imagined everything else I'd have by now."

"Like a boyfriend?" Ava suggested.

I scoffed a little at her and rolled my eyes. I walked to the couch, sitting myself down on it. Boyfriend...I realised that wasn't a word I had used for Clarke yet, but that's what he was, or becoming at least.

"And you," I told her as she sat down next to me, "and Kieran."

"Oh, come on, we can visit," Ava shrugged. "When I first met you, you knew you weren't going to stay in New York. It's part of my rental agreement actually."

I laughed at her. "I know, it's just then...I didn't think it would be so hard to leave behind."

"Oh, come on," she nudged me slightly. "It's only three years and then you plan to come back here and be the best damn New York lawyer you can be, right?"

"Course," I agreed. "Especially now. I couldn't imagine not coming back. It just feels...so weird, like it's a dream coming true."

"Well, it kind of is. Just one you made happen," Ava shrugged. "Okay, seriously enough being negative about it. We should be celebrating. Oh, we should go out tonight! I'll call Kieran, and Parker, oh and you can invite Clarke."

"And go somewhere public where we could be seen? Yeah, Ava in case you've forgotten my life isn't exactly uncomplicated yet. It's going to be a while before Clarke and I can be seen public," I reminded her.

"Oh right," Ava bit her lip. "Well, can't he use his powers as a celebrity and get us somewhere nice?"

I just gave her a look and she sighed.

"Okay, we could just have a little thing here then?" Ava suggested.

"Now that we can do," I smiled at her as I got up. "Now, I've got to go. I've got to meet Clarke at the police station."

"Wait, I thought the police weren't going to question you because you didn't work that day?" Ava frowned.

"I wasn't but I knew Henry pretty well, so they've just got a few questions," I shrugged it off. "Clarke said he would go with me, so it's fine."

"What a fun first date for you guys," Ava commented.

I got the subway down to the police station and it was only once inside did I find Clarke waiting there for me.

"Hey," he smiled when he saw me, walking up to me. "Sorry I couldn't wait outside. The press is following me everywhere."

"It's okay," I told him.

I wanted to kiss him or just hold his hand or something but even a police station was probably too public, so I had to remind myself to keep my distance.

"Are you okay? You look kind of nervous," Clarke noted.

I was nervous, but not nervous about talking to the police. I was nervous about telling Clarke about Yale. I knew we had talked about it before but now it was real.

"No, I'm fine," I promised. "It's just weird to be here and know what they're going to ask."

"Well, I'll be right there next to you. Come on, the detective is waiting for us."

Clarke and I went into the office of the detective on the case and Clarke sat beside me the whole time the detective asked questions. They were pretty simple questions, like did Henry have any enemies, who did I think would want to hurt him, and did I notice anything out of the ordinary? Most of my answers were no, because I hadn't noticed anything, nothing seemed off, I didn't understand who really could've done this.

When the detective finished asking the questions he filled Clarke in on what they had, and so far their only lead was trying to find the fake doctor that authorised the fake autopsy. They thought he was the best lead, and if they could find him they find out who actually killed Henry. When it came to leaving, I was ready to leave separately just to be safe but Clarke found the backdoor so I could go in the car with him.

"That wasn't so bad," I breathed as I moved to lean on Clarke in the car.

"Yeah, I thought I would hate sitting in that police station, but it actually didn't bother me," Clarke told me, as he wrapped his arms around me, slightly awkwardly as we were in the back of a car wearing seatbelts. "He does seem like he's doing all he can."

"I hope they find that fake doctor," I sighed, putting my hands over Clarke's. "He's the only lead they have. I truly don't know who would ever do this."

"They think it's someone who wanted to hurt the company. I mean, when my father passed the company spiraled for a bit," Clarke reminded me. "It didn't help when I stepped in, they probably thought the company would be worse off. Didn't bet on me caring I'd say."

"So they think it's a competitor?" I frowned. "I mean....it just doesn't make sense."

"The other option is an inside job," Clarke said softly.

"Now that makes even less sense," I sighed. "Everyone at the company loved Henry, and no one on the board stood to gain anything from Henry not being the CEO anymore, you were always going to take over."

"Well, kind of. I mean yes I was supposed to take over but it wasn't supposed to happen for a while," Clarke told me. "When my father first passed the board gave me the option. Said I could have more time before I took over if I wanted to, they could figure it out in the meantime."

"Wait, really?" I asked, surprised, turning around to look at Clarke. "Why didn't you?"

"I don't know. I mean, I was upset and I didn't think I could run the company, but I also could just hear what my Dad would say to me. He'd be angry if I did, and he'd tell me I was more capable than I thought," Clarke told me simply. "My Dad built this company from the ground up, and he did it for his family, so I had to do it for him."

"Well, I'm glad you did," I told him, putting my head into Clarke's chest.

I nuzzled into him, getting comfortable. I only hadn't seen Clarke for a day and a half and I missed him terribly. I really was falling for him now I had let myself feel that way.

"Now tell me why I have a text from Parker asking if I'm going to be at your place for the celebration tonight?" Clarke asked me.

I froze a little. I hadn't really had the chance to tell Clarke about Yale yet, but looks like I couldn't avoid it now. Thanks Ava.

"Because there's going to be a celebration at my place tonight," I shrugged at him, but not looking at him.

"That's cute, Rory, what aren't you telling me?" Clarke asked me.

I sighed, and moved off Clarke's chest to look at him. I could see he was serious and I knew I shouldn't be worried, but I still was.

"Well, you see something good happened," I hesitated. "I mean, it's good not great, it has its flaws though."

"Rory, just tell me, or you're going to make it worse than it seems," Clarke sighed slightly.

"Okay, okay. I...I got my Yale letter today," I exhaled, "and I got in."

"Rory, that's great!" Clarke suddenly smiled and then kissed me quickly.

Well, it was quickly at first and then it got a little passionate, for a moment, until Clarke pulled away suddenly.

"Wait, you were afraid to tell me that?" Clarke frowned. "We've already talked about this."

"We only kind of did. If I remember correctly you insisted on buying apartment and then dazzled me with your words of wanting to be with me," I told him.

He rolled his eyes slightly. "I didn't dazzle. Anyway, I meant what I said. I mean, Rory, it's only been a couple of days and look at us, look how close we already are. If that's what we have to do, I'll do it."

"Yes, expect normal couples wouldn't just buy a place to live," I pointed out.

"Well, even without my money I'm pretty sure we're not just a normal couple," Clarke pointed out.

I sighed slightly. "I know. It's just scary. I never imagined having my dream would mean leaving someone I care about."

Clarke smiled slightly and moved his hands to cup my face, and move my hair away.

"You're not leaving me. The distance will suck, but I think we can do this," Clarke promised. "Have some faith in us, okay?"

I sighed slightly but nodded. "Okay, I guess I shouldn't worry before we even try."

"Exactly," Clarke agreed. "For now, I really like the idea of celebrating."

"Me too."

We decided to just get back to my place instead of Clarke going back to his place first and wasting time. Clarke also didn't need to go into the office right now which helped. At the moment 'damage control' was Clarke not running things for the minute and letting Malcom have some of the control. I also very happy he didn't have work because he may insist he was okay but I could see it was still bothering him slightly. I knew not knowing who had killed his father hurt him, I hated that he was just brushing it off so easily. He needed time to heal at least, or accept it, and working wasn't going help. Ignoring it wouldn't help either though.

There was so much going on, maybe a little celebration would help, or at least distract us from everything else for a little while.

"Oh, good you're home. I decided we're finally going to have that good champagne we've been saving. Kieran is coming around later with real booze, his words. I spoke to Parker and he should be on his way soon. Have you called Clarke yet? Oh...you've done more than call him."

Ava had been in the kitchen the whole time and was just yelling until she walked in and saw Clarke standing in the lounge room with me.

"Yeah, we just decide to come back together after leaving the station," I told her with a small sigh as I sat down on the couch.

"How did that go?" Ava asked us.

"Oh, fine," I shrugged. "Nothing I didn't expect to be asked."

"Well, good," Ava smiled as I noticed her walk over to Clarke. "Also may I be the first to say congratulations on bagging my best friend. She's a stubborn one but you've got to love her."

"Ava!" I snapped at her and as I saw her smiling.

Clarke chuckled. "She is a little stubborn, isn't she? I am too though, so it's okay."

"Oh, I know you are, otherwise you two would've been together earlier," Ava rolled her eyes.

"That's not true," I told her.

"Of course it is. I mean, I always thought you and Isaac were perfect for each other, but once I got to know Clarke I realised I was wrong," Ava admitted. "Clarke literally respects everything about you. He watches you make your decision and then supports whatever it is, rather than make it work his way which is what Isaac would've done. You two both share common interests, even drunk that night for your birthday you didn't stop talking about music you both liked. And you Clarke, you seem to like that stubbornness of Rory which most people find annoying."

"It's what makes her...her," Clarke shrugged. "I don't even see it as stubborn sometimes, more determined. She knows what she wants and when she's right and she shows it."

"Ah, hello? Why does it sound like you're talking about me like I'm not here?" I scoffed.

Ava laughed. "Anyway, I'm very happy with this. It feels right. It's the only reason I gave you so much crap for your little arrangement thing, because I knew more could work."

"Yeah, well you never said that," I frowned.

"I knew you wouldn't listen," Ava pointed out. "You're-."

"Stubborn," I finished for her. "Yeah, yeah, I get it. Go finish whatever you doing."

The others weren't arriving until later that afternoon, so we had some time to kill. Ava had decided we would all need food and was working on that. I tried to help but she insisted the celebration was for me and I couldn't help. So Clarke and I just sat together in the lounge room with the TV on, not that we were paying too much attention to it really.

"So I have this question. This might sound a little weird thought," I said to Clarke as I put my head on his shoulder.

"Weird?" Clarke asked surprised. "Could it be any weirder than how we got here?"

I laughed a little. "I suppose not. It's just...Ava called you my boyfriend earlier today. We've done so much talking but it's not really a word we've discussed using."

"Ah, I suppose it's not," Clarke agreed, shifting a little so I had to move to look at him. I realised he suddenly seemed uneasy.

"What?" I frowned.

"It's just... I haven't had a real girlfriend, you know tha.t. That we talked about already," Clarke admitted.

"And I told you high school girlfriends don't count. But, well there's Alicia," I reminded him.

"You know that doesn't count either," Clarke brushed it off. "I...before I didn't care. It was all part of my player thing."

"Right, but you said it yourself, you don't want that anymore," I reminded him.

"I don't want that, yes, but I just thought if I was going to call anyone my girlfriend again I would do it right. You know, take you on some fancy dates and drop you home but leave you at your door...," Clarke explained.

I couldn't help but smile. I mean, he thought about whining and dining me, and in a completely romantic way for once and in a normal way. The only problem was we weren't normal.

"I really like that you're thinking that way, I do, but that is probably months off. I know you said not to worry about your father thing being the problem, but it's more than that," I told him. "I mean, we can't be seen in public for a little while because it will look terrible because you just broke up with Alicia."

"You know I really don't care about that, because by the time this blows over you'll be gone to law school," Clarke sighed.

"I care though. You've put so much effort into fixing your reputation, I won't ruin it," I told him. "Maybe we have to accept we can't have that part of our relationship, and we just skip ahead to make it easier. Because...I really feel like I want to call you my boyfriend. It's something that feels...real and not confusing for the first time in a while."

I could see Clarke thinking about it, but he didn't look uneasy anymore. I knew it would be weird to called Clarke my boyfriend. He had been my boss, and just the guy I slept with, but all that was confusing. Putting a label on it felt like something normal for the first time...since I broke up with Isaac.

"When you put it that way," Clarke finally spoke, "I'd like nothing more than to call you my girlfriend."

I smiled immediately. "Good. I'm glad to hear it...boyfriend."

Clarke smiled back at me as he then lent down and kissed me. The only thing that stopped us kissing was the sound of champagne popping behind us. We both stopped and turned to see Ava standing in the doorway with an open bottle of champagne.

"So, we're celebrating this too I take it?"