Page 116 of Faux Real
“Read it to me,” he demands.
I pull up the email and read him the letter, my gut stirring with every word.
“Now,” Dad begins as I finish the last time, “As much as I would love to celebrate this accomplishment, I need not remind you that your admission isconditionalon finishing the rest of the year in excellent academic standing.”
“I know—”
“Do not interrupt me,” he states. “I do not want you to think that just because you received that letter, you can slack off. Understand?”
My teeth clench as my heart rate accelerates. “Yes, sir.”
“Good,” he says. “I expect you to work hard these last couple of months. Harder than you’ve worked before. Do not bring shame to the Carmichael name.”
“I won’t.” I swallow a lump in my throat as my fingertips tingle. “I promise.”
“Good. I must go now,” he says. “We will talk later.”
“Okay—” And he hangs up. As usual.
My hand drops to my side, my gaze unfocused as I stand in the middle of the hallway.
Work harder. I have to work even harder. Okay. I can do that. I can. I’ve done well so far. I’ve managed to ace everything. Every test. Every presentation. Every report.
I did it.
But I— I didn’t do it alone.
Shit. Oh no. I have none left. I took them all for midterms. Why did I do that? Why didn’t I save a couple?
In the corner of my eye, I see Zeek coming out of a classroom. Maybe he has some. He might, right? I mean... worth a shot. Right?
“Hey!” I call out, catching up to him.
“Hey,” he says with a mild scowl. “What’s up?”
“Sawyer, he um... he invited me to your place this weekend,” I say, easing in carefully. “Is it cool if I come?”
“I guess,” he says bitterly with a shrug. “Just don’t bring yourblue slips, ‘kay?”
“Don’t worry.” I let out a nervous laugh. “I won’t.”
“Good,” he says, a sly smirk creeping up on his face. “‘Cause we plan to party.”
Achill nightmy ass, Sawyer.
“Umm... speaking of which—” I clear my throat. “I know you’re uh—the go-to for... um... party drugs but uh—”
He narrows his eyes at me. “What?”
I bite my lip. For Harvard. For my dream. For my future.
“Do you have any Adderall?”
Zeek’s silent for a second before he bursts out laughing. “Baby, I got itall.” He wraps his arm around my shoulder. “Welcome to The Pharmacy.”
thirty-six
Shadows in the Dark
