ONE YEAR LEFT TO LIVE

om me, sipping his coffee and discussing business with my father. I felt a pang of disappoi

t your company," my father said

replied, launching into a detaile

garden. I thought we had connected, that there was something more

ned to me and smiled. "Thanks for joining u

ing a sting of rejecti

elp but ask, "So, Jackson, is that al

. "Yeah, I'm afraid so. I'm trying to

ustration. "Well, congratulations. You'

I saw a glimmer of something more. But then it

ilia

Suddenly, the words burst o

on's eyes widened in shock,

u talking about?" my

y heart pounding, waiting

e room. "Oh, Cecilia, you're a riot!" He chuckled, shaking hi

oming. "Cecilia, sweetie, you're so

joking. I was dead serious. But they just thought

o much - although he was charming and handsome. It was just that...I wanted to experie

died. Travel, see the world, fall in love. And now, it

with tears. "Excuse me," I mu

ed, sobbing. It wasn't fair. I was only 18. I shouldn't have to worr

r. And I knew that

never get to do. I would never get to go to colle

ght was the s