Page 23 of Even Exchange

“Passion is a luxury that families like ours donothave.”

“Why?” I shriek, rage erupting under the surface. “The only reason you care is so you’ll have another thing you can boast about to the media.” I raise my tone an octave, impersonating her. “My darling daughter just graduatedsumma cum laudefrom Harvard.”

“Do you even realize what I’ve had to do to get us where we are?” Mom snaps a manicured finger in my face, and my breath hitches. “You have everything you could possibly want and need. I’ve paid for cheer camp, the extra tutoring for the SATs, the clothes on your back, and the roof over your head. And this is how you thank me?”

“Stop acting like we have all this because of you,” I say, waving around at the residence. “You’re a small-town mayor, and Dad makes good money. But notthisgood. We’re only here because Grandma died.”

Her palm flies through the air, serving a stinging slap against my cheek. My lips part, and my hand finds my tingling face, covering it.

“Georgia!” Dad exclaims.

“Do you know what my mother did when I got pregnant with you at nineteen?” Mom snarls. “She cut me off. Not a damn dime for anything. Yet here I am, trying to be different. To dobetter.And this is how you treat me?” Her eyes dart to mine. “Disrespecting all I’ve done for you. And not even a conversation before you change your degree?”

“If you weren’t so busy with all your political bullshit, you’d realize I’ve been trying to talk to you about this!” My chest heaves as I struggle for composure.

“I’mbusytrying to support this family,” she fumes. “One day you’ll realize you can’t pay the bills with papier-mâché hearts.” She shakes her head. “You’re not majoring in early education. Not while I’m paying for it.”

“Then I’ll pay for it myself!”Fuck.

“Okay,” Dad says, finally stepping in. “Everybody calm down.”

“With what money?” she asks smugly, folding her arms. “Because you’re certainly not using your trust fund.” My mother thinks she can dictate everything I do just because she currently controls my inheritance. Well, she can keep the damn money.

“I’ve got savings,” I say nervously, thinking of the tiny bank account I had long before our family inherited the estate.

“Have you forgotten I can see all your accounts?” she asks, huffing a laugh.I really need to get her off my stuff.“How far do you think a little birthday and Christmas money will get you?”

My shoulders tense. “I’ll figure it out.”

“You’re majoring in pre-law,” she says firmly.

“No.” I grind my teeth, heels digging in. “I’m not.”

“Then you’re doing it without our support,” she says, and panic wraps around me like a tight noose, squeezing the air from my lungs.Guess I’m really doing this.

“Fine.” My heart pounds against my ribcage, my cheeks blazing.

“And while we’re at it, you can go ahead and leave your keys too. Since we’re not doing anything for you, you don’t needourcar either.”

“Now, hold on,” Dad attempts, and she cuts him off with a glare. The room spins as my mind struggles to formulate a solution. No financial support I can deal with,I think, but no car?

“How am I supposed to get to school?” I protest.

“Guess your first lesson will be public transportation.”

My mother and I don’t have much in common, but I sure as hell got her stubbornness.

Guess we’ll see who caves first.

5

NOAH

My frown deepens, arms folded tight as I stare at the bed.

The pillows are crooked.

I re-fluff them, eyes roaming for any other imperfections, but I find none. A satisfied smile spreads across my face.

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