Page 42 of Learning Curve

Leaving my siblings alone in that rotting house was my biggest fear about going to Dickson.

I lean my head back on the seat and close my eyes, allowing the lull of the train’s motion to take me back to last night. To the sheer power I felt beating Donnie Marks and the way Scottie kissed me back on bleeding lips.

For the first time in his life, Ace even managed not to comment on it, and the night carried on almost as though it was the kind of life—the one with friends and few worries and college debauchery and a girlfriend—I could live. Scottie and I talked a little in the shadows of the night, though she didn’t say much about home.

I didn’t say much about home either, but now that I’m on my way this morning, I’m remembering why.

Scottie Bardeaux doesn’t need to be mixed up with someone like me, no matter how good it feels to hold her while we fall asleep.

My phone buzzes in my pocket, startling my eyes open. When I pull it out and read the text, I know with certainty today isn’t going to get any better.

Ace: Scottie just left. I tried to smooth things over, but she was upset. Pretty sure you’re going to have to do some fast talking if you’re going to have a prayer of salvaging that situation.

Me: It’s for the best.

Ace: I hope you’re sure.

Me: Don’t worry about it.

Ace: Okay, buddy. Hit me up when you get back if I’m not in the room.

Shaking my head to clear it, I scroll down to the messages Willow sent earlier this morning.

Willow: I can hear him breaking stuff, but I have the door locked and the chair under the knob, like you said.

Willow: I think he’s asleep. I don’t hear anything anymore.

Me: Keep the door locked.

My blood boils and my heart races as I think about my sister being there alone and frightened. Maybe Trav and Jack taking her along when they go out drinking isn’t such a bad option.

Knowing it’s been nearly an hour since I heard from her last, I check in again.

Me: You okay?

Willow: I heard the front door. I think Jack and Trav might be home.

Me: Stay in your room until I get there.

Willow: Okay, Finn.

I look at my bloodied, broken knuckles again. I don’t know what I’m going to do when I get there.

But there’s a reason I didn’t lose to Donnie Marks last night. And my siblings are an even better reason not to lose today.

Tuesday, October 8th

Scottie

The class is nearly full, and Professor Winslow is writing details about our first big exam on the whiteboard when Finn walks in. Everything inside me seethes as he walks straight for the front row and takes an empty seat next to Ace.

I’m on the side of the room, somewhere I never dreamed of sitting when I started the semester. But with Dane and Nadine cuddling in the back and Ace and an empty seat in the front, I had nowhere else to go.

No calls. No texts. I’ve gotten zilch from Finnley Hayes since we fell asleep in his bed together Saturday night and he disappeared Sunday morning, and I’m officially pissed off.

He kissed me at the Double C fight. Twice. He invited me to sleep in his room, and he’s the one who kissed me after climbing into the bed. Not the other way around.

Ace tried to play the whole thing off like it was no big deal—tried to make me feel better about waking up in their room alone with him and Julia—but Finn’s said more with his actions than Ace could have even dreamed of covering during his fast talk.

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