“I’m going to give you a glowing recommendation, Miss Matthews. Assuming you survive the remainder of the semester. You’ve got about seven more games and a few bowl games to go before graduation. But Coach Howard and I have already discussed it. Keep working hard. I’m here if you need me, and I look forward to seeing you at the commencement ceremony.”

“Th-thank you,” I stammered. I was in shock. I couldn’t believe I pulled it off—and I didn’t need my father to do it.

“Have a good day.” Dr. Haynes hung up the phone, and I did a little dance in my bedroom.

I was so excited that I felt like a kid on Christmas morning. I was bursting to tell everyone I knew. Since Oakley was still at practice, I sent him a text, knowing he wouldn’t be able answer for a hot minute.

Amanda: Talked to Dr. Haynes - I’m graduating early!! I still have the job!

I added about five more exclamation points before sending it. Just to make sure he would know how excited I was.

Next, I called my mom. She answered after one ring. It’s like she sensed from a thousand miles away that I had something important to tell her.

“Hey, honey, what’s going on?” she answered.

“I did it, Mom! I’m going to graduate early with recommendations from both Dr. Haynes and Coach Howard!” I blurted out so fast all my words ran together.

“I knew you could do it! And if those two old farts had given you anything less than that, I would have flown down there to kick them in the balls myself!” she said, a little too enthusiastically.

We chatted for a few more minutes before hanging up. I was surprised to see a text from Oakley waiting for me.

Oakley: So proud, Solver. Meet me at the football field after practice. We need to celebrate!

I started primping immediately, and this time, I wanted Oakley to think that I made the extra effort to look good for him. I went a little outside of my comfort zone and put on some bolder eye makeup with red lipstick. I didn’t even need a YouTube goddess this time.

I slipped on a black chiffon tank top and shimmied into some dark skinny jeans. I put on flats since I didn’t know what we were doing. I could still be sexy as hell and wear comfortable shoes. I waited until my alarm went off on my phone, alerting me that practice was done, before making my way to the stadium. I couldn’t wait to celebrate—especially if that celebration involved Oakley and me doing the hibbity-dibbity. I wanted him to fill me out like a job application. Glaze my donut. Lock legs and swap gravy. I was gonna sheath his meat dagger and rock those two-person push-ups.

Okay, I’m done for realsies now.