Page 8 of The Pinkie Pact

He finally released my hand, and I resisted the overpowering urge to wipe it on the side of my dress. I glanced around at the rest of the family, but they didn't seem to notice anything was off.

"So what are you studying, Sky?" he asked.

I fought my disgust and answered quickly. "Math."

His eyebrows shot up, and I couldn't help noticing—with the exception of Kara who already knew—the whole family did the same. What was the deal with that?

"Math?" He frowned while nodding. "Impressive. And what do you plan on doing with that?"

"I'd like to become an algebra teacher and encourage more girls to get into the field."

Mrs. Emerson let out a noise. "My goodness, Sky. I like you. You and I are on the same exact page I think."

I gladly turned my focus back on the senator. "I think we are."

"If... that is,whenI'm re-elected..." She paused to take a deep breath. "Well, maybe we can talk about some of the issues you see out there as a young woman in the STEM field. I'd love to hear what you've experienced and get your input."

Was she for real? I couldn't believe she actually wantedmyadvice. I mean, who was I? Weren't there real people who could help her with that? "Sure. I'd like that."

"I have advisors and experts who give me their thoughts. But I'd like to hear about it from someone real, someone with actual boots on the ground," she said like she was reading my damn mind.

A man came over then, and after he whispered something in her ear, she sighed. "Well, dears, duty calls. I must go mingle and earn that money I suppose. If I don't see you again tonight, Sky, we should have you over for dinner soon. Okay, love?"

I smiled because she totally reminded me of my mom, and I kind of wanted to hug her as a wave of homesickness hit me. "That would be really nice."

She surprised me by leaning in to embrace me. "I know it's tough to start over in a new place. So hang in there. It'll get better," she said in a low voice.

Nodding, I swallowed against the sudden lump that formed in my throat.

Pulling back, she gave Kara a pointed look. "You ladies have fun. But not too much fun." She winked at me, then took off with her husband, Kieran not too far behind.

The senator was amazing, and I could see how she'd been so successful. She had that certain something that lit up everyone around her, I thought, as I watched her talking and laughing with several men in military uniforms.

"Come on. Let's get a drink," Kara said.

She led me to the far corner where there was a full bar with just about every top shelf liquor you could imagine. Did these people always have this here? Is this what life was really like for the wealthy elite?

After the bartender made our drinks, we moved to the back of the large room and each switched a bracelet from left to right then clinked our glasses together.

"I hereby pronounce this as drink number one under the new pinkie pact order," Kara said.

"Hear. Hear."

The place was starting to get crowded, and I took it all in. In the other corner by us, a man started to play classical music on a beautiful grand piano that I would have loved to have a go at, but all the chatting drowned it out for the most part.

These people were such schmoozers, decked out in their finest clothes, fake talking and laughing. If these were the men and women in charge of our country, no wonder we were so fucked up. Where were the actualrealpeople?

"It's ridiculous, isn't it?" Kara said from beside me.

"Absolutely ridiculous," I agreed.

"Sometimes, I think my mom is the only decent person in politics, but she says you have to play the game if you want to get anything done."

I sighed at the hopelessness of it all. Was there ever really a way to make a difference?

"Oh, my God. I need the bathroom," Kara said. "I think I have a code red situation."

"At least you're wearing black?" I joked.

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