Page 10 of Mistaken Magic

Henodded. "Fulldisclosure here,Lorraine.JohnSparksis my older brother.Thatkinda makes you my foster niece, right?Well,I'mwell aware of what my brother's like.Wemay both be involved in social services, but our versions aren't the same."

"Ok..."SoIcould see howMr.Sparkshad gotten a meeting so fast, but it just didn't seem like enough for this guy to do something so big. "Howwould you get me into a boarding school?Idon't have the grades to get a scholarship."

"No, not a boarding school.Well, not exactly.Butif you're my foster niece, that makes you 'family,' and becauseIwork there,Iget a few benefits.Lorraine,I'mthe on-site counselor atSilverOaksInstitute.Haveyou heard of it?"

"Isthat the college in town?"Iasked.

Henodded. "Itis, andSilverOaksoffers anAdvancedPlacementprogram.Thinkof it like taking college courses for a combination of high school and college credit.Ifyou're interested,I'dbe happy to suggest it toJohnandNancy.Ijust want to make sure you realize this is college.Thatmeans dorms, curfews - because you're still a minor - plus, you'll have to keep your grades up, and acting out will get you sent back to the public school.Tolive withthem,Lorraine."

Holyfucking shit.Whathe'd listed off was basically a dream come true for me.College?Thatwas my best-case scenario!Toget a chance to start early?Wait.

"ButIcan't afford it,"Ireminded him. "I'mkinda not working, and college is stupid expensive, right?"

"Familydiscount," he countered. "I'mallowed to send one family member to the college per semester.SinceIdon't have children of my own, it's a perkI'mnot using, and it sounds like this might be useful for you - but only if you intend to take this seriously."

Iwas already nodding my head. "Ican do that.Ialready told you,I'mnot one of those punks who gets off on breaking the rules or anything."

Hesmiled. "Yeah,Ihad a feeling you'd be on board.Nowtell me, what grade are you in?"

"Twelfth."Ibit my lip, hoping that wouldn't be a problem.

Liammurmured approvingly. "Soa senior.Thatmakes it even easier."

Therewas just one thingIcouldn't wrap my mind around. "Why?Youdon't know me.Icould be some thug, and yet you just throw this out like it's no big deal?"

"Lorraine, my big brother learned how to care for kids from our father.Mrs.Sparkshas her own story, but she was never able to have children.Believeit or not, they honestly want to help.They'vehad good success with plenty of problem children,butIcan't sayIcondone their methods.So,I'mjust going to circumvent this entire dilemma.Theywant you out.Youwant to be out.Accordingto your file, your options are limited, but your grades aren't too bad.You'veshown an interest in secondary education, so this seems like a solution that works for everyone.Iguess you can just think of this as my way of helping those who don't fit in with the system, ok?"

"Yeah, sure,"Iagreed, deciding it really didn't matter so long asIcould be anywhere else.Lookinga gift horse in the mouth and all that. "So, is there anythingIneed to know about this school, or amIjust supposed to leave myself at your mercy?"

Thatmade him chuckle. "SilverOaksis a small, privately owned college with a unique education system.Thestate classifies it as a trade school, because the courses offered are focused on future jobs, yet we offer associate, bachelor's, and even master's degrees.Ourgoal is to take students who may not excel elsewhere and create an environment that will put them on a path to excellence in our modern world.Becauseyou'd be attending as anAdvancedPlacementstudent, there is a placement test.Itwill let us knowifyou would be able to handle the program, and exactly where you would do best."

"Right."BecauseIcould read between the lines. "Inother words,I'mnot guaranteed to get in.ButifIdo, amIgoing to end up as the diversity or pity case to round out the books?"

Hecanted his head with a sly look. "Somethinglike that.Stillinterested?"

"Youhave no idea,"Itold him. "Rightabout now,Iwill doanythingto get out of the prison your sister-in-law calls a home."

Liamsmiled slyly. "Ihad a feeling you'd say that.So, the downside is, you'll have to pass the entrance testing.Theupside isIcan arrange it for tomorrow.But, if you do this, thenIhave one requirement.Whileyou're in school,I'mgoing to beyour academic advisor and counselor, ok?Isthat a deal you can make?"

Inodded to make sure he didn't misunderstand. "Cando,UncleLiam.Forthe chance to actually get ahead for once?Yeah.Ihave no problem with reporting to you."

"KindawhatIthought," he told me.

Chapter Six

Mr.Sparkswas ten minutes late to pick me up.Liamwaited with me.NotthatIneeded him to, but rather because he wanted to deal with this school issue right away.WhenMr.Sparksshowed up and saw his brother beside me, he wrenched open his door and surged out, the expression on his face filled with rage.

"Whatdid she do!" he demanded. "Whatkind of freak is she?!"

Liammerely lifted a hand. "She'snot a freak,John, and you didn't answer my text offering to give her a ride home.Iwanted to talk to you andNancyabout a school option."

Mr.Sparksnarrowed his eyes. "Why?"

"Let'stalk about that with your wife, ok?"Liamgripped my shoulder in that supportive way adults had. "I'llbe five minutes behind you."

Myfoster father didn't respond, soIslipped into the passenger seat silently, buckled myself in, and folded my hands into my lap.AllIhad to do was be meek and mild for a little longer andIcould get out of this hell.Ihad this.

Thatdidn't meanImissed the rage coming fromMr.Sparks, though.Iwanted to ask him aboutLiam, just to make sure thisguy wasn't some kind of pedophile or something.Well,Iwanted to asksomeone, and my options were kinda limited.Icouldn't really rule anything out, couldI?TheSparkshad turned out to be freaks, so what were the chancesLiamwas actually as cool as he seemed?Unfortunately, the older brother didn't seem like he was in the mood to talk.

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