24 August 2012
As it was GCSE results day yesterday, I thought I'd reflect back on when I got mine (7 A*s and 3 As).
I remember having to call in to get my results, as I was back at home with my family and most importantly, so was Nate.
As I've previously mentioned, he was a year older than me so he didn't receive his results (he'd got his AS results the week before).
He came to my hotel suite (what I had to call home whilst my actual house was being renovated) at 5am (10am UK time: the time the results are released) and we just sat by the phone for about ten minutes in total silence as the rest of my family were asleep.
After finally plucking up the courage to call in, I handed the phone straight over to Nate who listened intently as they read out my results and he wrote them down on a spare scrap of paper so I could read them myself, as if I really was at school like everyone else.
He thanked whoever was on the other end of the phone and hung up, before staring blankly at me and handing me the new folded piece of paper.
"I can't do it" I whispered, closing my eyes and waiting for his familiar arms to wrap around me. But they didn't. Instead he just smiled at me, and that warm smile was what urged me to unfold the paper.
"I can't really decipher what it says" I muttered as my eyes darted around the page "But there's a lot of stars!"
I then just laughed nervously as his arms smothered me and he held me insanely tightly.
I'll never really forget what he said to me next. Throughout my whole life I've never heard my family or friends really acknowledge their pride in me, and this was one of the first times that Nate sounded absolutely genuine.
"Katy, you're absolutely incredible. I'm so so proud of you" he said, holding me back from him by my shoulders and looking me deeply in the eye.
Then he pulled me back into his chest and held me for a few moments whilst the success sank in.
For the rest of that day, we escaped the suite and spent the whole time in Central Park at our spot, or around the shops.
He spoiled me rotten that day, buying me my favourite white roses, a Tiffany necklace which I still have to this day, and a couture Chanel dress which I wore that evening when he took me out for dinner.
The unfortunate thing about this day was that Nate was the only person to show me his pride, love or jubilation regarding my results. If I hadn't have told them, I doubt my family would have actually remembered what was happening that day, and my other friends were all in England celebrating together, without time for their friend across the Atlantic.
For that, I'm forever thankful.
A Month Of Memories #4 • Opuss № I