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“You’re the best, Vi.” I drop my keys on the side table and thrust the fridge open to retrieve Violet’s mouth-watering concoction. Being away from her last year was rough. I missed moments like these. It reminds me that she’s my family. Unrolling the sandwich from the paper towel wrap and popping it in the microwave buys me a few seconds to gather myself before heading back into the main room. I slap the greasy goodness on a paper plate and meet Violet on our worn-down couch to eat. She sits criss-crossed with a blanket curled over her body.

“Get this.” She taps my shoulder, signaling she wants my full attention on whatever excites her. “I’lltechnicallybe classified as a sophomore this fall!” She squeals in excitement and jiggles on the couch cushion. She continues, “With the credits I took online this summer and my dual-enrollment credit from last year, I have enough hours to qualify.”

“I’m so proud of you, Vi.” I put my plate on the ground to hook my arm around her neck and pull her closer, messing up her hair in the process. “You’re a genius.”

Laughing while pushing me away, she says, “Not a genius, just determined not to fail.” There's that sick feeling rising from my belly, again. She’s working her butt off to make sure she has a bright future, and I’m screwing mine up. Not wanting to bursther bubble, I decide now isn’t the time to bring up my academic woes and potential football probation status. Besides, Violet doesn’t need any extra worry or stress on her plate. I’m supposed to take care of her, not the other way around. I’ll figure it out.

I pick my paper plate up and stuff the last bit of the delicious breakfast sandwich in my mouth before tossing it into the trash. “I think I’m gonna take a nap. Holler if you need anything, sis.”

She nods vigorously and hightails it to her room to continue working on whatever assignment is currently on her mind. Slamming the door shut, I throw my aching body on my queen-sized bed and shove my face into the cotton pillow to muffle my groans.Why can’t I buckle down and make better grades?For as long as I could remember, school has always been a source of frustration in my life. It’s always been difficult for me to complete anything or hold my focus long enough to comprehend. I piled up a collection of notes home from my teachers, but after years of receiving D’s and F’s, I was sent an official note from the principal.

To Whom it May Concern:

After data collected throughout the school year, your child, Hartley Knox is in danger of failing. He is frequently inattentive in class and fails to complete his work.

My dad never cared about school forms, so I brought it to the most important man in my life: Violet’s grandpa. I’ll never forget him patting me on the back and giving me a speech about how this doesn’t define me. He did hours’ worth of research to conclude that I had all the traits of ADHD and did his best to help me cope.

I always knew what I needed to get in class to stay on the football team, but I got cut a lot of slack in high school for being the resident star wide receiver.

Blowing air out of my mouth, I grab my phone to make an appointment with the Academic Center that Coach set me upwith. I need to swallow my pride and find a tutor, or my dream of playing professionally will go up in flames before it starts.

12

Liza

This place smells.I scan the room while waiting in the lobby of the Center of Academic Excellence at Springs U. My roommate mentioned that students could sign up to be a paid student tutor here. You can sign up for your specific major and accept jobs on a class to class basis.

“Liza Wilde,” the official-looking lady calls me. It’s completely unnecessary considering I’m theonlyone in the room.

“That’s me!” I pop off the dated fabric chair and follow her to the back office. She flips her auburn hair over her shoulders and her heels click as she walks down the vacant hallway. We reach her small office with a desk littered in paperwork, with nothing personally identifying on the walls.I would hate to work here.

“So, you’re here to apply for a tutoring position?” she asks, logging in to her iPad without making eye contact.

“Yes, ma’am. I’d like to sign up for art classes only.”

She flips the tablet to face me and points to a tiny text box on the screen. “Sign this, and we’ll contact you if we have a student that meets your specific skill set.” I scribble my signature on the screen and wait for her to print out my confirmation.That waseasier than I thought.“Thank you.” I nod before exiting into the dismal lobby and back out to the scorching heat of main campus during the summer. I reach into my purse to check my phone, but before I grab it, I tumble into a rock hard individual and fall to the floor.

“Shoot!” The deep timbre of his voice rattles through my bones as he leans down to place his hand on my back. “I’m sorry.” I tilt my chin up and meet the mischievous green eyes of Hartley. “We meet again, Goldie.” He wets his bottom lip seductively and grabs a hold of my hand to help me off the floor. I dust off my floral sundress, making sure dirt didn’t get on the bright yellow outfit. “Didn’t see enough of me this weekend?”

“It’s all good. I should know better than to multitask while walking.” I chuckle. “And yes, I’ve seen more than enough of you this weekend. Did you really have to jump through a table?”

“Bad girl, Goldie,” he teases. “I’m surprised you caught me jumping through the table with the way you and Locke were down each other’s throats all night. That's a good way to evoke my puke and reflex.” He tips his head to the side and shakes the memory. “What brings you to this side of campus?”

Ihatethe way my cheeks flame at his words.

I decide to ignore his jab at Locke and I’s arrangement. “Putting in an application at the Academic Center.” I throw my thumb back and gesture to the building behind me. I clutch my purse to distract my hands from touching his body.

“What a coincidence.” He tilts his head slightly and looks through the full-length glass window. “I am, too.”

Feigning surprise, I allow myself to crack a smile. “You’re applying to be a student tutor as well? That’s awesome.”

“Oh no, Goldie. I’m signing up tobetutored.” He grabs the back of his neck and rubs nervously. Seeing Hartley nervous is new to me.

I blink in astonishment. “Well, good for you for being proactive and all that jazz.” I nudge his chest and laugh. Hartley brings out all of my emotions when he’s in my presence. That’s why I try to avoid him, even though it’s the last thing I want to do.

“Yep, football requirements. Speaking of football. . .” He crosses his arms over his chest and taps one foot on the newly-bricked walkway. “How’s Locke treating ya?”

I roll my eyes to the back of my head. I knew he wouldn’t let it die. This couldn’t be any more awkward if we tried. “You know us. We’re just having fun.” My mouth tips down slightly, wiping the smile from my face as I peer to the ground again. I can only commit to “just having fun” nowadays since my mind is still royally screwed up from my breakup with Layne.