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Ben paled, realizing she didn't know what he was talking about. "Crap, did I forget to tell you? My college starts up again in August, and I can't miss it..."
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He clasped her hand, looking at her in sorrow. "Emma, I'm so sorry. I wish I could skip or something but I just can't. My dad expects me to finish and I can't let that money go to waste."
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"It's fine...It's fine..." She felt like the little engine that could, but she couldn't. "College is good for you. Gets you a better job and it's likely something you enjoy. And if you're dad expects you to finish, that's great..."
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(lol that was a great metaphor right there. Love the little engine.) . Ben kicked himself. 'Way to break it to her lightly, Ben. Now she thinks you're gonna abandon her forever!' "Maybe... I don't know... Maybe you could apply? I think applications are open for a while still. I mean, if you want to."
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thx) "No, it's fine" She said, a little too quickly. She silenced, not trying to draw attention to the fact that she was being ripped apart from the inside out. "Really, it's fine" She muttered
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It clearly wasn't fine, and Ben was getting more and more angry with himself and everything. He didn't want to leave her to run the ranch alone, or even with other coworkers. He knew she needed him, more than he needed to get those degrees. "Hey, look, it's okay. I'm sure they'll give a refund. I can stay here, with you."
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"You need to go to school. It's what you want" She said, barely hiding the tears as pain wracked through her body and voice
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"Emma, I really don't like it that much. The only pleasure it's giving me is that I have something to work towards, and it might get me a good job. But I already have one of those. I don't want anything except to be with you and keep you happy. What will make you happy right now?"
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