Tino could tell something was amiss the moment Tasha walked into Tindale’s. Her affect was not consistent with the effect the good news was supposed to produce. Had she not passed after all? As soon as he pulled the chair for her, Tino launched into an inquisition.

“What’s wrong?” Tino enquired
“I might have to leave town for the next two years. I got an offer at The State University for a Masters in Clinical Psychology. You agree it’s the best university in the country, right?” Tasha said as she slowly sat down while locking eyes with Tino’s.
“Yes, it’s the best,” Tino said with a deep sigh. “Congratulations, again” he continued with a forced smile.
“Thank you.”

Now everything made sense. Tasha was forlorn because she wanted to be close to Tino. The State University was on the other side of the country, almost a thousand miles away. Do long-distance relationships work? 

They spent the entire evening discussing the topic. Tino felt a mixture of flattery and relief. Tasha’s sadness meant she cared about him. At the same time, the distance would ease some of the claustrophobia Tino had been feeling ever since it became clear that they were now in a relationship. Right now, sadness is the predominant emotion despite the flattery and relief. He really was going to miss Tasha. He cared about her.  

“I’ll be leaving campus the day after tomorrow. I have to go home to see my family and prepare for graduation,” Tasha said. Her home town was about two hundred miles away. 

“Graduation is in a month,” Tino said.
“Yes, but I’ll be back in town in about three weeks” Tasha remonstrated.