Page 164 of Home Game

“Before,” Dylan and Justin spoke at the same time.

“What’s going on?” I looked around the table. Everyone looked so excited and so happy.

Frank reached into his breast pocket. “This is for you.”

I opened the envelope and my eyes scanned the page. “This is a scholarship. For four years of tuition and books!”

I dropped the paper and stared at Frank. “I didn’t apply for a scholarship!”

“Mica, Dylan, and Justin needed to up their charitable donations this year to drop them into a lower tax bracket. So we came up with a scholarship.”

I cried as I looked around the table of my friends. “Why would you do that?”

Mica cleared his throat. “Because you’re important and smart.”

There were a lot of teary hugs around the table.

“I don’t know about you,” Frank said dryly, “But emotions make me ravenous.”

We all laughed.

“Come on, let’s eat.”

That night,I debated texting Ryan to tell him the good news, but things were so weird between us, I wasn’t even sure he cared. The cool spring air was so fresh and scented, I decided to sleep with my windows open.

My phone buzzed.

Ryan: Hey

My stupid heart beat with pure joy.

Me: Hey

Ryan: Did I wake you?

Me: No, just reading in bed

Ryan: Another serial killer book? ;-D

Me: Ha. Not even close. I’m reading the guide to a new student for UBC

Ryan: ???

Me: I got in!

Ryan: Zoey. That’s amazing. I’m so proud of you.

Me: And guess what? Mica, Dylan, and Justin worked with Frank to create a scholarship for me

Ryan: No way!

I listened, hearing a noise in the living room.

“Ikea, what are you up to?”

Me: It’s part of their charitable contributions for taxes and it will pay for my tuition!

Ryan: Your dream is coming true

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