The Pick Read online

  As the first warning bell rang, Tyson was starting to get a little worried. He usually met Ally here every morning and walked her to class. This was unusual for Ally to be late. Luckily, he saw Kylie walking towards him.

  “Have you seen Ally?” Tyson asked.

  “No, she is at that Sterling Scholar interview,” Kylie replied.

  “Oh crap, I totally forgot about that.”

  “Is that for Ally?” Kylie asked nodding toward the rose.

  “Yes.”

  “Good. She needs it.”

  “Why? Is something wrong?”

  “Ty, it’s not my place to be involved in your relationship,” Kylie said as the final warning bell rang. “I have to get to class.”

  As Ally walked out to her car from her interview, she felt surreal. She knew that she was up against the top high school scholars in the state. But she had been prepared. After speaking with the other Business and Marketing Sterling Scholar candidates, she felt like she might actually have a chance at winning the scholarship. She had participated in a lot of business extracurricular activities during high school that gave her an edge. Her interview had gone so well. It was as if the answers to the judges’ questions had just popped into her mind. The words seemed to flow as she spoke. She offered a prayer of gratitude to her Heavenly Father for helping her.

  When she neared her car, she saw Tyson standing there with a rose. She picked up her pace. He greeted her with a hug and a kiss.

  “Well don’t you just look amazing today,” Tyson said as Ally straightened her suit jacket and smoothed her skirt.

  “I had to dress to impress.”

  “How did the interview go?”

  “Really good!” Ally said with excitement. “What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be in class?”

  “Yes, I should be in class. But I wanted to give you this rose to say thank you for your advice last night.”

  Ally accepted the rose and said, “Aww you didn’t have to do this. Plus, I don’t think I was very helpful in making a decision... Did you make a decision?” A knot formed in Ally’s stomach.

  “No, I didn’t. I feel like I need to wait until I at least go on the campus tours first. Then I will have a better idea of which college feels right, you know?”

  Ally nodded her head. Then looked at the ground. After a moment of silence, she said, “Well...I think we better get you back to class.”

  “Probably. But first, is everything okay? Between us?”

  “Yes,” Ally said with her eyes hinting at tears. “Why?”

  “When I saw Kylie this morning she saw that I had the rose and mentioned that you might need it and that she wasn’t going to get involved in our relationship.”

  “Oh, well… I just assumed that you were going to pick Utah, so I was caught off guard when you were contemplating out-of-state schools. That’s all.”

  “Utah isn’t out of the question. Are you sure there isn’t anything else wrong?”

  Ally hesitated. She wanted more than anything to tell him that she wanted him to pick the U. That she didn’t want him to move away. That she didn’t want their relationship to end after graduation. But she couldn’t. Instead, she settled for, “Nope. Nothing else.”

  “Okay. I’ll see you at lunch.” Tyson left Ally with a kiss that made her worries go away. At least for today.

  Chapter Nine

  As Christmas neared, the acceptance letters started to arrive for Kylie and Ally. They had always dreamed of going to school together, so they applied to two of the same colleges: University of Utah and Utah State University. Ally for some weird reason decided to apply to BYU, but she insisted that it was just to prove to all of her BYU family members that she could get in and they couldn’t. Sometimes, well, most of the time, Kylie just didn’t understand Ally’s thinking.

  They had been accepted to all of the colleges they had applied to and received academic scholarships as well. Now Kylie finally understood the dilemma Tyson was facing, at least on a smaller scale. What if she wasn’t supposed to go to the U? Ally and Kylie thought they would follow in Tyson’s footsteps, go on the campus tours, see how things felt and then go from there. Of course, their tours weren’t as exciting as Tyson’s, since Ally and Kylie weren’t top athletes.

  Ally and Kylie had already been to Utah, so their only real road trip was to Utah State. Kylie was almost done packing when Ally knocked on the door.

  “I’ll get it,” Tyson hollered. Kylie rolled her eyes. Of course, he would get the door since he knew it was Ally. Normally he would just act as if he hadn’t heard anything. Kylie grabbed her duffle bag and backpack, then headed into the front room.

  Ally’s face was filled with excitement. “So, I got a letter in the mail today….”

  “And?” Kylie pressed.

  “I made it!” Ally exclaimed as she held out the letter. “I made it to the final round of interviews.”

  “No way!” Tyson exclaimed as he gave Ally a giant bear hug and Kylie grabbed the letter out of Ally’s hand.

  Kylie read aloud, “‘Congratulations. You have been selected as a Business Sterling Scholar finalist. Your final interview will be on February 5th at 3:00 p.m. The awards ceremony will take place on March 4th. Please invite your family and friends to join us in awarding the top Sterling Scholars in the state of Utah that evening. Again, congratulations on being selected as one of the top ten candidates in your specific area. We look forward to meeting with you again soon. Sincerely, the Sterling Scholar Selection Committee.’ That’s so awesome, Ally. Congrats!”

  “Thanks! I can’t believe it. Me, one of the top ten?” Ally said still beaming, “Anyways, I guess we better get on the road. Utah State here we come.”

  “See you two girls later. Have fun,” Tyson said as he shut the front door behind them.

  On their way home from Utah State, Kylie was bursting at the seams to know if Ally was feeling the same way she was. What if Ally’s choice was different than hers. She had always had Tyson or Ally nearby her entire life. By the looks of it, Tyson was going to be going to a different state for college and she didn’t know what she would do if Ally chose to go to a different college than Kylie.

  About an hour into the drive home from Logan, Utah, Kylie couldn’t stand it anymore. “What did you think of Utah State?”

  “It was nice,” Ally responded.

  “And…?” Kylie pressed. Sometimes it was so hard to get an answer from Ally.

  “The campus was really pretty and the buildings were nice. But…” Ally hesitated. “It was really cold.”

  “I know, right? Like painful, feel it in your bones, freezes your nose hairs cold.”

  Kylie’s fears were gone within minutes as they started in on what they didn’t like about Utah State and how the University of Utah just felt like the right place to go. By the time Ally dropped Kylie off at her house, it was decided. They were going to the University of Utah and they were going to be roommates, just like they had always hoped and dreamed of since they were kids.

  The days passed quickly for Tyson. In between college tours and recruiters, he spent the rest of his time at school, working out, or spending time with Ally. He hadn’t spent a lot of time with his football buddies, so he was excited when they planned a little get together.

  When Tyson told Ally about the gathering, he could tell that Ally was hesitant to go. He knew that she was more of a stay-at-home kind of person and preferred small gatherings to large ones. She told him that she would go if he really wanted her to go with him. And he did really want Ally to come, so she tagged along.

  Tyson was amazed at how well Ally seemed to get along with anyone she came in contact with. She was kind to all of his friends and their girlfriends. Ally was smart and beautiful. And here she was talking intellectually to his friends about football. His girlfriend was talking to his friends about football.

  When Ally had to run to the restroom his friends were equally in awe of this girl.

  “Tyson, whe
re in the world did you find her?” Tyson’s teammate, Jason, asked.

  “I wonder the same thing,” Tyson responded.

  “Ya, man. I wish my girlfriend was as awesome as Ally. If you choose to go to Stanford, would you be okay if I dated her?” Jackson piped in.

  “If it doesn’t work for Jackson, I call seconds,” Jason added. The other guys nodded their heads.

  It hit Tyson like a bullet. He was overwhelmed with jealousy. He couldn’t imagine these guys dating Ally. Most of all he didn’t want them dating Ally. He wanted to be the only guy Ally dated. If he chose to go to Stanford, Ally would be free to date any guy that she wanted. He caught Ally’s eye as she headed back toward their group. Was this the answer he had been seeking?

  Tyson tried to be involved in the conversations throughout the rest of the evening, but the thought wouldn’t leave his mind. Tyson hadn’t ever felt the twinge of jealousy when Ally talked to any of his football buddies. But tonight, when she laughed at their comments, he knew that somehow, someway he was going to make sure that Ally stayed his girlfriend. Even if it meant a long-distance relationship.

  “Is everything okay?” Ally asked once they were in Tyson’s car ready to leave. “You seem a little distracted.”

  Without saying word, Tyson leaned over and kissed Ally as if he were leaving for Stanford tomorrow.

  “You’re the distraction,” Tyson said pulling away to look into Ally’s eyes.

  Ally smiled, “Oh ya?”

  Tyson kissed her again. “Have I told you that I love you? Everything about you?”

  “Mhmmm,” Ally said nodding her head. “And I love you too.”

  “I don’t know how I got so lucky. You really are amazing.”

  “Thanks, Ty. But I think that I’m the lucky one.”

  “I’m luckier,” Tyson said stealing another kiss.

  “I’m luckiest.”

  “I’m the luckiest times infinity. And infinity always wins.”

  Ally laughed. “Okay, okay. Tonight, you can play the infinity card, but tomorrow’s a different story.”

  “As long as you’re mine, I’ll always be a winner.”

  This time Ally pulled Tyson in for another kiss. And Tyson knew he never wanted to kiss any other girl than Ally for the rest of his life

  Chapter Ten

  The night before Ally’s interview and Tyson’s signing day, Kylie sat in Ally’s room helping Ally practice interview questions.

  “Well I think you are going to rock your interview tomorrow,” Kylie said.

  “I hope so,” Ally responded. “I think I’m as prepared as I’m going to be. Hey, have you heard anything from Tyson?”

  “About which school he is going to choose?”

  Ally nodded her head.

  “No,” Kylie replied. “You?”

  “Nope, other than he has it narrowed down to Utah or Stanford,” Ally sighed. “I just wish that my interview was before the college signings, especially if he chooses Stanford.”

  Kylie scooted over and put her arm around Ally, “I’m sorry.”

  “It’s okay. I keep telling myself he will pick Stanford.”

  “Why?” Again, Kylie didn’t get Ally’s thinking.

  “So I can be prepared for the worst.”

  “You have a habit of doing that, but I guess that works,” Kylie responded, gathering her backpack. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  The next morning, Ally tucked her favorite white blouse into her favorite grey business skirt and pulled on her matching suit jacket. She looked into the mirror and felt as if today was the day that would define the future. The butterflies were flying in her stomach but she also felt like she could conquer the world.

  Ally grabbed her backpack, a granola bar and headed out the door. She normally ate her granola bar on the way to school, but today she wasn’t hungry. She stopped by her locker and placed her suit jacket inside, wanting to avoid the sweat marks of wearing it all day and being nervous.

  When she shut her locker door, she was startled to find Tyson standing right there. He was dressed up in a suit and tie and wearing a huge grin.

  “Good morning beautiful,” Tyson said as he leaned down and kissed Ally. “You look like you are going to knock their socks off.”

  “So do you,” Ally responded as she smoothed his lapels. “You don’t look nervous at all.”

  “Neither do you.”

  “I feel nervous.”

  “You are going to do great, Al. I just know it.”

  “Thanks,” Ally responded. But it was more than just the interview that was making Ally nervous. The final warning bell rang. “10:30 in the commons, right?”

  “Yep,” Tyson said.

  “I’ll see you then,” Ally said as she gave Tyson a quick hug and headed off to class.

  Ally could hardly focus during her first period class. But it was even worse during second period as she watched the clock move slowly. Luckily, she was a teacher’s aide during that period. As the clock neared 10:30 she sneaked out of the classroom with a nod from the teacher. She walked down the hallway listening to the sound of her heels. She felt like she was breaking out in a cold sweat.

  When she entered the commons she immediately located Kylie and stood next to the Brooks family. The football coaches and Tyson’s family made up most of the crowd. There were a couple of news reporters talking to Tyson. Ally looked at the table where Tyson was going to make a decision. She expected to see a University of Utah hat and a Stanford University hat, but what she didn’t expect was the BYU hat.

  Ally leaned over and whispered to Kylie, “BYU?”

  Kylie shrugged her shoulders, “It’s news to me, but it seems like everything is these days. How are you feeling?”

  “A little nauseous. But don’t worry, I haven’t eaten anything.”

  “Serious?”

  Ally shook her head.

  “You are going to end up passing out instead,” Kylie responded very concerned. Sometimes Ally thought that maybe she had taken a few too many health classes.

  Ally whispered, “Maybe I’ll be able to eat after this.” She nodded toward the table as Tyson took a seat.

  After some introductions and cordialities, it was time for Tyson to choose which collegiate football team he was going to be playing for four years. Ally heart felt like it was going to beat out of her chest.

  As Tyson reached his hand out to select the hat of his choice, Ally and Tyson’s eyes met as his hand stopped and went to pick up the BYU hat. Ally gave him an ‘Are you serious?’ look and Tyson winked at her then moved his hand to the Stanford hat. Ally’s heart dropped to her stomach as she closed her eyes to stop the tears that were suddenly appearing. Ally was determined not to let Tyson see her upset over his decision. She was going to support him. So, she took a deep breath before opening her eyes.

  Everyone started cheering as Tyson pulled the University of Utah hat down on his head. Ally was shocked. She just stood there frozen until Kylie grabbed Ally’s arms and started jumping up and down. It broke Ally’s trance and soon she was jumping up and down with joy as tears ran down her cheeks.

  Ally tried to regain her composure as Tyson made his way through his small crowd of supporters. Tyson finally spotted Ally at the back of the crowd. The way he looked at her with those beautiful deep blue eyes and the way he smiled made Ally feel as if the audience that was watching the two of them wasn’t there.

  Tyson picked Ally up in a warm embrace and Ally didn’t want him to ever let go. A couple of tears Ally didn’t realize were remaining slipped out as Tyson let go.

  “Please tell me these are tears of happiness?” Tyson asked in a voice full of concern as he cupped her face with his hands and wiped away the tears.

  Ally nodded her head.

  As Tyson leaned in to kiss her, Ally felt relieved and she couldn’t believe that he had actually picked Utah. She no longer had to worry about him going away to school and trying to figure out how to do a long-distance relationship. Al
ly was knocked back into reality as the rim on Tyson’s cap hit her forehead. Ally couldn’t help but laugh.

  Tyson joined in. “Let’s try that again,” Tyson said as he reached up and flipped his hat backwards with one hand and pulled Ally close with the other.

  The bell rang signaling the end of second period and the start of lunch for Ally and Tyson. Students began to fill the hallways, Kylie headed off to her next class, and Ally waited while the others in their group congratulated Tyson again before leaving.

  Not soon enough for Ally, she was standing in the lunch line with Tyson. Her stomach growled louder and she was starting to wish she had that granola bar to tide her over for the next five minutes or so.

  “Hungry?” Tyson asked, after hearing Ally’s stomach growl for the fifth time.

  “Ya, I haven’t exactly eaten anything today,” Ally said holding her stomach, hoping that somehow that would contain any sounds that her body decided to make.

  Tyson raised his eyebrow but didn’t say anything.

  “I know, I know. I should have eaten something. I was just so nervous and anxious this morning that I didn’t feel like eating,” Ally said as they finally reached the front of the line.

  Since they were late to lunch and all of the tables were already taken, they found their way back out into the common area and sat on the steps to eat their food.

  Picking up where they left off, Tyson asked, “Are you really that nervous about your interview?”

  “I’m a little nervous. But most of it will hit when I’m sitting there waiting for them to call my name. This morning, I was more nervous about you.”

  “Me?”

  “Ya, I didn’t know what I was going to do if you decided to go to Stanford. I mean we could have tried a long-distance relationship, but I really didn’t want us to end after high school.”