Page 127 of Triple Play
“The admissions committee feels that your current situation raises concerns about judgment and professionalism that are incompatible with—”
I hang up.
Just hang up on Johns Hopkins.
On my dream school.
On everything I’ve worked for.
“Ellie?” Teddy’s voice sounds far away.
“They rescinded my interview.”
“What?”
“Johns Hopkins. They don’t want me anymore.” I’m laughing but it’s not a funny laugh. It’s the kind of laugh that means you’re about to have a complete breakdown. “Because I fell in love with three guys and the internet decided I’m a slut.”
“You’re not—”
“Doesn’t matter what I am. Matters what they think I am.” I stand up. Sit back down. Stand up again. “I need to—I don’t know what I need.”
My phone rings again. Different number.
“Don’t answer it,” Teddy says.
I answer it anyway.
“Elise Hart?”
“Yes?”
“This is Jennifer Martinez from Channel 7 News. We’d love to get your perspective on—”
I hang up.
It rings again immediately.
And again.
And again.
“Turn it off,” Teddy says. “Just turn it off.”
I do. But my laptop is still open on his coffee table and I can see the notifications piling up on social media.
This is a nightmare.
This is my life imploding in real time and there’s nothing I can do to stop it.
“I need to go back.” I’m already grabbing my keys. “I need to talk to them. We need to figure out—”
“You need to stay here and let this blow over.”
“It’s not going to blow over, Teddy. This is—” I gesture at the laptop. “This is everywhere. They’re talking about me like I’m—like I’m some kind of—”
“Hey.” He grabs my shoulders. Forces me to look at him. “You’re not anything except a person who fell in love. Multiple times. There’s nothing wrong with that.”
“Try telling that to Johns Hopkins.”
