I go to my computer to check my email—it’s dead—so I go over to Evianna’s room and open her laptop quickly. I’ve used it before. I’m sure she won’t mind.
Her email pops up automatically, and new messages filter through. I try not to look—I want to give her some privacy—but one of them catches my eye.
RE: Your application to our Seoul, South Korea program
I minimize it and shut the computer, feeling like I just violated her privacy. I glance around, and in a moment of weakness, I open her laptop again and click on the email.
From: “Sam Gyeong” <[email protected]>
To: “Evi Halle” <[email protected]>
Date: November 10, 2014 04:02 a.m. PST
Subject: RE: Your application for our Seoul, South Korea program
Dear Ms. Halle,
Thank you for inquiring about our English program here in Seoul. We are the largest English language school in Seoul, and we employ roughly twenty teachers per semester.
I don’t normally offer employment to prospective students unless they have their TESOL/TESL certificate, but since you’ve obtained your Master’s degree, I feel confident offering you a full-time position here at our institution.
Please email me with your availability and we can set up a Skype call to figure everything out. Our new semester starts January 3rd, so we will need you here about a week before that in order to go through basic training. The school will arrange the visa, flight, and accommodation after we’ve spoken in person.
I look forward to speaking with you, and welcome to Asia Pacific International School!
Best,
Sam Gyeong
Director
I mark the email as unread and close the computer slowly. I don’t realize how hard I’m gripping it until I set it down. I want to throw it against the wall.
Evi is going to South Korea?
I can’t seem to wrap my mind around it.
I kick the bedpost as I go back into my room and pace the length of it. I’m hungry, but seeing that email left me with almost no appetite. I look outside, and I see Evi running after Bria on the beach. They’re both laughing.
And my god, she looks so good wearing just a bathing suit.
She’s leaving.
When was she going to tell me?
I march outside, and I know I’m angry. I know I have no right to be angry, because it’s her life, and she’s not obligated to stay. And I definitely should not have snooped.
Evi looks up as I approach, and I take a few calming breaths. How do I ask her without it sounding like I know about South Korea?
“How’s it going?” I ask, trying to sound casual.
She eyes me up and down. She can tell I’m less than pleased.
Fuck. Why does she know me so well? I see her eyes dance around me, trying to ascertain the situation.
“Good,” she says uneasily.
“Good,” I reply, and she runs her eyes over me one last time before looking away. “I was thinking… will you be here for the holidays?”
“What?” She looks intrigued now, and I feel like a dick.
“I asked you if you’re going anywhere. For the holidays.”
“Oh. No. Not planning on it.” She looks away and smiles at Bria, giving her a thumbs up. Bria is carrying two large rocks. “Are you okay, Nick?” she asks, turning to me now and giving me her full attention.
“I don’t know. Is there anything you want to tell me, Evianna?”
I hate that I sound like an angry patriarch, but right now, she’s pissing me off with her elusiveness.
“What are you talking about?” She crosses her arms, and I’ll be damned if mad Evianna isn’t cute as hell. Dammit.
“Nothing.”
I turn away and walk towards Bria.
She doesn’t want to tell me for some reason.
Whatever.
It’s probably for the best, anyways. She’s so young. The world is her oyster. I shouldn’t be mad that she wants to see the world instead of settle down with an insta-family. I’m happy for her. Excited for her.
I try to ignore the ache in my chest when I think about not seeing her every day.
Thirtyfive.
Evianna