Page 66 of What I Like About You

where are my children? i need details!!!

Oct 12

Ari Levitt

more baby goats

Oct 5

Ari Levitt

baby goats

Oct 5

Mad Levitt

look what you’re missing out on!!

Oct 1

ELEVEN

You can’t put so much pressure on yourself, Halle,” Mom says.

Her voice cracks when she says my name and it makes me feel like trash re: the collection of unopened emails accumulating in my inbox. I’ve been so overwhelmed with my double life, I honestly haven’t even checked my Halle email in the two weeks since I became friends with Nash.

Ollie reminds me we have parents who miss us, but I’ve been positive they’re too busy for that.

Now that I’m on the phone with them? Well, I’m wrong.

“How’re the interviews going?” I ask.

“Great!” Mom says. “But I’m not letting you change the subject.”

“It’s time for a pep talk!” Dad says.

“I was leaning towardreality check,” Mom says.

I drum my fingers on the kitchen table, waiting for whatever is coming next. Currently, the table is a command center of application checklists, essay drafts, and SAT prep books. The mathsection is theworst. I’ve only improved thirty points from when I took the test the first time in Charlotte, last spring.

I need fifty more points to hit NYU’s median score, but right now that feels impossible.

Dad jumps right in. “Here are the reasons why NYU will love you. You’re smart! You’re tech-savvy! You’ve been building a brand since you were fourteen! Publishers reach out toyoufor publicity opportunities. We’ll have a talk another time about how it’s maybe time to try to start monetizing this thing, because I have feelings about free labor—but regardless! Instead of thinking about all the things youaren’tdoing, maybe take a step back and be proud of everything you’ve accomplished.”

“Dad,”I say, emotion thick in my voice.

My parents know about One True Pastry—I just had no idea they paid attention to it.

“Wow,” Mom says. “That was unfairly good. How do I follow that?”

“You’re the only one who thinks a reality check is necessary,” Dad says.

I smile. I miss Mom and Dad banter.

“It is,” Mom says. “Halle. Listen to me. One college does not determine the course of your life. If you don’t get into NYU, you will be okay. There are other options! You could take a gap year. Just remember, youhaveoptions—and you’re lucky that you do.”

“I know,” I say.

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