The Spring of Candy Apples (A Sweet Seasons Novel) by Debbie Viguié

who’s perfect for you.”
    For some reason she couldn’t bring herself to look him in the eyes while she nodded.
    Candace swallowed hard as she stared at the letter in her hand. It was the moment of truth. The return address identified the letter as coming from UCLA. She and Tamara had both applied there. It had been her backup college choice for so long she had begun to think of it at some point as her primary choice.
    What if they don’t want me? she wondered. What will I do?
    She took a deep breath and tore it open. The page was crowded with type, and her eyes blurred as she tried to pick out a word that would tell her at a glance if the news was good or bad.
    She wiped a hand across her eyes and struggled to bring the words into focus. Inform . That was a neutral word. It could mean anything. Unfortunately . Her stomach did a flip-flop. That was definitely a bad word. Then her eyes saw pleased . A good word if ever there was one.
    We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted . . .
    She shrieked at the top of her lungs, and her parents came running from the kitchen.
    “I got into UCLA!”
    Suddenly they were all hugging and jumping up and down. It was five minutes before Candace actually read the rest of the letter. Unfortunately turned out to be Unfortunately, we cannot offer you a scholarship at this time. That was okay. Her parents had already agreed to pick up the tab for college in-state with out-of-state negotiable.
    “Congratulations,” her mom said finally.
    “Well, the backup plan is firmly in place,” her dad said with a smile. “Not that I ever doubted it for a minute.”
    Candace had, but she was too embarrassed to admit it.
    “Are you going to call Tamara?” her dad asked.
    “You have to tell Josh too,” her mom said.
    “Okay, I’ll make some calls,” Candace said.
    She gave her parents one more hug before dashing upstairs. She called Tamara first.
    “Hello?”
    “Tam, guess what!” Candace squealed.
    “I have no clue, but I’m guessing it’s good.”
    “I got into UCLA!”
    “Congratulations, I knew you would.”
    “Thanks. Have you heard anything yet?”
    “Not yet,” Tamara admitted.
    “Oh,” Candace said, suddenly feeling worried for her friend. Then again it was Tamara. Anything she wanted she got. There was no way she wasn’t getting in. “Well, you’ll probably get yours in a couple of days.”
    “They send those things out in waves over several weeks,” Tamara said.
    “That’s right. Plus, I turned my application in before you did.”
    “Totally. No worries,” Tamara said, her voice breezy. “I did get my acceptance letter from Loyola today.”
    “Oh, that’s wonderful! That’s a good school.”
    “Yeah, but I’m going to UCLA. Maybe we can room together,” Tamara said, getting excited.
    “Yeah, if I go to UCLA. Totally.”
    “If? When did UCLA become an if?” Tamara asked.
    “Oh, well, if I end up winning the scholarship, I guess I’ll be going to Florida Coast.”
    There was a long pause on the other end, and for a second Candace thought they had been disconnected.
    “Tam?”
    “You know I’m not cool with that, right?”
    “With what?” Candace asked even though she could guess the answer.
    “Florida. I’m not cool with you going to college on the opposite coast.”
    Candace bit her lip. It was a fight she’d been hoping to avoid . . . possibly forever. “Tam, can we cross that bridge when we get to it?”
    “Yeah,” Tam said with a sigh.
    “Cool.”
    “Okay, go tell the rest of the world the good news.”
    “You too.”
    Candace hung up and then dialed Josh.
    “Yes, Candace?” he answered the phone.
    “You know, you’re supposed to say ‘hi’ first,” she teased.
    “My way is faster. What’s up?”
    “I got my acceptance letter to UCLA.”
    “Congratulations. At least they recognize what they’re going to be missing when you go to Florida Coast.”
    “Josh, the only way I’m going to Florida Coast is if I get