Class 101❖Jeff Winger

Stuck Like Glue || twenty-two

"Thanks for taking me to Maggie's. It was an honor," I said as we drove back to Jeff's apartment.

"For sure. I wanted to do something special before you left anyway," Jeff smiled.

"I do have a question, though. Why is it called Maggie's and not Gracie's?" I asked.

"Oh, it's named after Gracie's daughter Maggie. She died when she was little," he explained, a slight frown forming on his lips.

"Wow, that's really sad. I'm glad Gracie found a way to preserve Maggie's memory," I frowned. Jeff nodded and we sat in silence for a few more moments, the air hanging heavy due to the subject. I decided to play on my phone for a minute, mainly because I had forgotten to text Darla at the restaurant.

Me: hey i have good news

Darla❤: you started didn't u

Me: yes :) no baby for me

Darla❤: next time don't call me at 8 am on a saturday. im happy for you tho!!

Me: thanks!! i wont call early lol

Yeah, when I went to the bathroom and realized I had started, I was pretty relieved. Do you know how bad that would've been? I would've had to stay here instead of going to Indiana, and I would have to tell Jeff. That would've been really awkward.

"When do you need to start packing? To leave," Jeff spoke up, breaking the silence.

"Oh, I'll probably start the day after I'm done with finals. Honestly, though, I'm kind of second-guessing whether or not I want to leave," I said, trailing off at the end.

"Why? I thought you were excited! You have an apartment and job lined up. You're golden," he asked, confusion filling his voice.

"I don't know. I'm gonna miss everyone here," I admitted, rubbing the back of my neck.

"Don't be crazy. You have the chance to get out of this town. You should take it," he sighed, looking over at me as we pulled up to a stoplight. He reached over and grabbed my hand, squeezing it as he said, "I'm going to miss you, though, if you do leave. I won't lie. I wouldn't mind if you stayed here."

"I know you wouldn't mind," I chuckled.

"So, how long do you actually have to decide?" he asked.

"I should probably figure it out before finals are over. I haven't actually put a deposit down or anything for the apartment, nor have I given the company a straight answer. So that means I have a week to figure out what I'm doing with my life," I groaned, throwing my head back to hit the headrest.

"Well, what will you do if you stay?" he asked, raising an eyebrow as he glanced at me quickly.

"I don't know. Get a job somewhere and live in my apartment until I inevitably find someone and fall in love, then move in with them. After a few years of saving, we'll buy a house. Maybe. Or I'll live alone for the rest of my life," I laughed.

"Oh, please! There's no way you'd live alone. You need so much attention, you genuinely can't," he teased, laughing.

"That's rude! I don't like you anymore," I laughed, sticking my tongue out at him. He laughed as he pulled into the parking lot at his apartment complex.

"What now? You want to come up and hang out for a bit, or do you want to grab your stuff and go home?" he asked as he pulled into a parking space.

"I'm good to hang out for a bit. If that's okay," I replied.