Jake's stress level couldn't be higher when he finished his last class Tuesday afternoon. An email from Professor Joyce requested to see him at his earliest convenience, and Jake had been in his head trying to figure out what his professor was thinking. His first thought went to the short film Joyce had submitted on his behalf. It couldn't be anything else. But since the message didn't provide any detail, he was left feeling bipolar - allowing himself to consider a victory before bracing himself for inevitable failure. By the time he reached Joyce's office, his mind had passed through a shitstorm potential successes and self-doubts.
The professor didn't even bother to look up when he heard a knock on the door. "Come in and have a seat," he said still engrossed in a stack of papers. "I'll be with you in a moment."
Things were already off to a bad start. Jake felt his hands get sweaty while his heart pounded uncomfortably inside his chest. It would be easier to rip off the band aid and have the bad news over with in one quick motion. Waiting in silence for the floor to fall out from under him was absolute torture.
Professor Joyce finished scribbling a critique on one of the pages and returned the cap to his pen. Looking up and noticing that Jake was in his office, his disposition changed entirely.
"Jake," he said trying to mix professionalism with excitement. "You're just the person I wanted to see. I had hoped to meet with you yesterday, but today is just as good." He briskly walked to the door and shut it before returning to his chair.
"Is there news about the award?" Jake asked unable to wait for the news any longer.
Joyce let out a laugh and shook his head. "Committees generally take months to judge all of the submissions. I still believe you have a real shot at getting the award, but we probably won't hear one way or another until sometime after the summer."
Jake was more confused than ever. If it wasn't about the award, he had no idea why he was sitting there. His heart calmed slightly as the jury was still out considering his film, but there wasn't a chance it would return to normal until Jake knew what this was all about.
"The reason I asked you hear isn't about the award, but it is about your film," the professor told him with a pleasure he was dying to reveal. "A friend of mine on the judging panel has already seen it. He was so impressed that he showed it to a director who had the same reaction. It turns out, he's gathering talent for a feature film project and wants what you have to offer. He wants to put you to work right away as his assistant director."
Jake was speechless. Seeing a unicorn would've been more likely, but this was actually happening. Whatever his heart was doing, he ceased to care. All that mattered was the look of joy Professor Joyce had at delivering the news.
"Congratulations," the professor continued. "You can accept the offer or reject it. But either way, this confirms that you have real potential."
"I think I'll be accepting it," Jake said realizing he really should say something. "I'd have to be crazy to pass up something like this."
"I'm glad you agree, but I think you should know all the details before deciding anything." Jake's smile faltered slightly not quite sure what the professor meant. "As I understand it, accepting the position means beginning work probably within the next week or two. And believe me when I tell you that there won't be time to keep up with your classes. You would essentially be leaving school from that moment forward.
"Now, I've looked at your grades, and they will suffer. Since you won't be around to take finals, it's reasonable to assume each one will drop at least a letter and a half. But even so, they'll still be high enough to get you to graduation. I doubt you'll have time to take part in the ceremony, but you will still get your degree.
"And the other important part to consider is relocation," Joyce told him in all seriousness. "All of the work will be done from Los Angeles which means you'll have to be there for the entire duration of the project."
"That's a lot to process," Jake said trying hide his sudden overwhelm. "How long do I have to make a decision?"
"By Thursday at the very latest," Joyce told his student sympathetically. "But I can't stress enough what's on the table. Graduating at the top of your class looks good on paper, but it doesn't make much of a difference in the real world. Being an assistant director gets your foot in the door and shows people what you really can do. I know moving to LA would be a big change, but that's where your degree is taking you. As your professor, I would love for you to stick around and to help sharpen your skills, but this is far better than anything you'll ever learn in the classroom and I've been told the pay will be considerable."
There would be some big changes happening very quickly, and Jake realized that he would have to be ready. It was true that this opportunity was too good to pass up, but moving to Los Angeles was a decision he refused to make on his own. He listened to what his professor had to say and agreed wholeheartedly that leaving college early was the right course of action. His grades would suffer, but getting the degree even with lower grades was all that mattered. Promising to have an answer by the deadline, Jake returned to his room only to pack his weekend bag. Already deciding he wouldn't be attending classes for the rest of the week, he hopped in his car and began the long drive home.
Jake wasn't sure exactly what he was going to say but figured it couldn't hurt to soften his mother up a bit. He stopped at a flower shop a couple miles down the road and found something he knew Chelsea would love. Arriving at the house just after seven, he took a deep breath and walked in the door as if it was the most casual thing in the world.
Chelsea was sitting at the kitchen counter talking on her phone while eating a microwaved dinner when she saw her son enter. Though happy to see him, the look on her face was one of confusion, surprise, overwhelming happiness, and dreading the worst. Eating in only a pair of black pants and a bra, she felt that familiar tender joy at the sight of Jake taking in and appreciating her body.
"Jess," she said noticing the flowers but entirely unsure of what to expect. "Someone's at the door. Talk to you tomorrow? Okay, take care." She hung up as Jake crossed the room and planted a kiss on her lips. The kiss lingered as she smiled against his mouth. As her eyes opened, she took the flowers and admired the beautiful arrangement. "I love them, honey," she said breathing in deeply as the floral scent filled her nostrils.
"No shirt?" Jake asked with amusement and desire.
Chelsea shook her head still grinning from the feel of his lips. "It's too hot in here. Aren't you supposed to be gone 'til Friday?" She watched as Jake gave her a nod and took a moment to think of what to say next. "Is everything alright? Did something happen?"
