Page 49 of The Tip-Off
“About which one?”
“Either.”
She frowns. “What do you mean?”
“It’s just, I need to check with my advisor first. I’m not sure about a couple of my online class transfers.”
“Okay. Well, when are you meeting with her?” I bite my lip and my best friend sees right through me. “Gabs, all the good classes will fill up. You need to talk to her as soon as possible.”
“I’ll stop by today.”
She keeps staring at me until I give in. “Fine, I’ll go now.”
She claps her hands. “This is going to be so exciting!”
Blair walks with me to Stanley Hall. “Call me after and let me know. Do you work tonight?”
“No. I’m off.”
“I could come over tonight around eight and we could select classes while watchingThe Bachelorette.” She’s staring at her phone, probably her schedule, as she attempts to make plans and I’m thankful because I feel guilt rising as I blow her off.
“Raincheck? I need to catch up on reading and sleep tonight.”
“Tomorrow? I’ve got a few hours during lunch.”
“I’m working the afternoon shift, but we’ll figure it out.” I hug her quickly. “I’ll call you later.”
I make my way up to the third floor of Stanley Hall. Dr. Rainey is in her office and I knock on the open door to get her attention.
“Gabby.” She pulls her red-rimmed glasses from her face and smiles. “Come in.”
“Do you have a few minutes? I was wondering if I could talk to you about classes next semester?”
“Of course, have a seat.” She puts the glasses back on and her fingers fly over the keyboard. “Let me just pull up your transcripts.”
I twist my hands nervously in my lap as she does. Dr. Rainey is my hero. She built and sold a successful startup all before she was thirty. I have no idea why she’s teaching at Valley, but the university is all the better for it.
“Alright. With this semester’s classes, you only need six more credits toward your business degree, and you’ve satisfied all the core requirements except business law. You’re ahead of schedule.” She smiles brightly. The benefits of hiding away for three years – I’m ahead of schedule in college course requirements. Two more classes and I’ll have my business degree.
“Are you still planning to apply to the MBA program in the fall?”
“I’m not sure,” I answer honestly. “I’ve been looking into some other programs as well.”
“It’s good to consider all your options. Valley has a wide range of graduate-level courses and programs. Is there someone I can get in touch with for you? What programs are you considering?”
“All of them.”
Her fingers lift from the keyboard and she sits back in her chair. “All of them?”
“I want to explore a bit more before I lock myself into anything. I had my sights set on business before I took my first class and never really entertained anything else.”
I don’t expect the smile she gives me. “I think that’s a really smart idea.”
“You do?”
“Yes.” She laughs softly. “Take it from someone who switched careers after hating her first job out of college, it’s easier and less stressful if you figure out what you want to do before you leave here. Have you talked to anyone in the career resource center?”
“No, not yet.” My stomach turns.
