Page 21

Chapter

Eighteen

HADLEY

Mom: Computer Science, really?

Hadley: What’s wrong with it?

Mom: It just sounds so nerdy!

Hadley: Thanks for the unwavering support.

Elementary education is not for me, but damn, I will miss my advisor.

Dr. Dwyer looks like she belongs in a kindergarten classroom but accidentally wandered into academia.

With her tie-dye maxi skirts and Birkenstocks I suspect she’s been wearing since they were in style the first time around, she gives off a crayons and glue sticks vibe.

She’s organized and competent, though, and does not care what anyone thinks.

Case in point: her office. I knock on the door and her warm voice welcomes me in. The first time I was here, I thought maybe her wolf decor was a joke or an ironic statement. But as I’ve gotten to know her, it’s obvious she just likes wolves.

An oil portrait of a wolf howling at the moon covers one wall. Wolf knickknacks litter her desk. The overstuffed sofa squashed in a corner has a fleecy wolf blanket draped over one threadbare arm, and the throw pillow features—surprise—another majestic wolf.

Dr. Dwyer glances up as I enter and her unlined face beams. Gray streaks through her brown hair, but her complexion is flawless, and I can’t get a read on how old she is. Fifties, I guess?

“Hadley! How nice to see you.” She comes around her desk and sits in a chair facing the loveseat and gestures at it. “Have a seat. Tell me all about your investigative semester.”

The wolf throw pillow and blanket are as comfy as they look.

As I sit and cross my legs, I pet the blanket.

If I had any other advisor, I’m not sure I would have been able to take a random assortment of classes and see what I liked.

But months ago, Dr. Dwyer nodded her head as I explained education wasn’t a good fit, and I wanted to explore my options and see what was.

In fact, she loved the idea. Referred to it as my “academic walkabout” and helped me get everything scheduled, though it was a lot of different departments to navigate.

Fingering the wolf pendant at her neck, she trains her bright green eyes on me, and I clear my throat.

“I think you’ll be pleased. I learned some things about myself.”

The apples of her cheeks lift in a wide smile. “The greatest discovery in life is self-discovery.”

“Well, I’m pretty sure I’m not cut out to be a historian.

” I never did figure out how that career works.

“And business and mass communication were useful, but a little boring. Not a total waste. Theater and stagecraft was really hard.” I wince.

I wouldn’t have finished that project without Jonas’s help.

He jumped in and was there for me when I needed him.

“It’s not where my passions lie. But I actually loved my computer science class. ”

Dr. Dwyer claps her hands like I recited a Shakespearian monologue. “Hadley, that’s wonderful!”

Okay, what I didn’t tell Dr. Dwyer when we talked first semester is I only picked Intro to Computer Science because the T.A.

is hot. Not in a gross way—I don’t approve of faculty-student relationships.

But I sure didn’t mind seeing Matt for an hour a day three times a week.

With dimples and great hair, he’s yummy.

But I was as surprised as anyone to find out I liked the class.

Something about the math and the logic clicked, and while it wasn’t easy, it makes sense.

“It fits my skill set, has good future prospects, and is pretty versatile. So that’s my plan going forward,” I say, smoothing my jeans. My palms are damp, but I keep my voice from wavering.

Truth be told, I was a little nervous about this conversation.

Dr. Dwyer is supportive, but I also don’t fit the computer science mold.

It’s a male-dominated field, and well, I look more like a fashion merchandising major.

I liked rising to the challenge of my assignments, though, and proving to myself and everyone else I can do this.

It gives me a solid career path, provides independence and financial security, and is needed all over the world.

I’m confident in my choice, but I’m not sure what I’ll do if she doesn’t approve.

I shouldn’t be surprised when Dr. Dwyer beams sunshine again at me out of her pores. “I’m so very proud of you.”

From anyone else, it would sound cheesy. But from Dr. Dwyer, it’s believable. I take a deep breath and relax at her praise. Knowing she thinks I can do this bolsters me.

“It’s just perfect.” She stands and rounds the corner of her desk. “Let’s get your schedule figured out for next year, then.”

Her fingers fly on her laptop, and she consults both monitors, making little humming noises. “Okay, so you’ll need some foundation classes first. Have you decided which track you want?”

“Graphics and visualization.”

Nodding, she absorbs that information and continues typing. “Those classes come later, but we can still put that in…” Dr. Dwyer trails off, frowning. “Oh, dear.”

This, from her, is the equivalent of standing on a table and yelling. The back of my neck prickles.

“What’s wrong?” I ask, leaning forward.

Her mouth is pressed into a thin line. “Well, you got some general requirements out of the way this year, and some of the things you took can count for electives. But there are necessary prerequisites. If you want to finish in four years…” She trails off again.

“Plus, I know the semester abroad is practically non-negotiable…”

I swallow. According to the custody arrangement, my dad pays for four years of college.

So while I can take out loans and get a summer job to save money, it would be ideal if I could cram in as much as possible to graduate in four years and not pay out-of-pocket for additional semesters.

Plus, if I can do a semester in London, that’s something he’d have to pay for—at least the schooling part of it.

And I’m not sure I can wait until after graduation to visit my dream city.

“I really do want that.”

She purses her lips. “How do you feel about summer classes?”

Two hours later, I set a brown takeout bag on my brother’s counter with a flourish. “Ta-da!”

Arms crossed over his chest, Hunter frowns. “Are you sucking up?”

Yes.

“No,” I tell him. “Can I just bring you your favorite burrito with no ulterior motives?”

“No.” He shakes his head and perches on a stool next to me. “What’s the deal?”

I sigh and nudge his burrito closer to him, then unwrap mine and take a bite. I shouldn’t eat my feelings, but it’s been a rollercoaster of a day. The spicy flavors of the chicken mixed with the cool sour cream and the soft tortilla help soothe my frayed nerves.

“I need some help.”

“Oh god.” He pales. “What’s wrong?”

I open the tub of queso I bought—Daddy’s credit card, who cares if costs extra? I gesture at the brown bag of chips, already darkening with grease spots. I shove a bite in my mouth.

“It’s not that big of a deal, drama queen,” I say around my food. “Calm down.”

“Hadley.” Hunter’s gaze bores into me. “You show up unannounced to butter me up with dinner and ask for help. If it’s queso level, I’m gonna worry.”

He’s on a budget now that he’s cut off, I guess. He got a job at the front desk of the gym. But I’ll buy him queso every week if he can solve this problem.

“Okay so.” I swallow and sip my Coke. “I have to take summer classes, and I need a place to live.”

I’ve already called my mom and worked out all the other details. But my dorm closes for the summer. My best bet is to find a place to sublet for a few months, and Hunter knows more people than me. He can ask around and help me out.

“Summer classes? That sucks.”

I shrug. “It’s not that bad. Now I have an excuse to not go home to Boston at all. But do you know anyone who needs a roommate this summer? I tried to get a place myself in Riverbend, but nothing is left this late in the year.”

His eyes light up. “I have the perfect solution!” He turns to yell down the hallway. “Evan, Jonas, get out here!”

My stomach drops at Jonas’s name, and all the hair on my arms stands up. He and Evan saunter into the living room, eyebrows raised. My mouth goes dry.

“What’s up, dude?” Evan asks.

Hunter throws his arms around both of them in a smug brother sandwich. “Meet your new summer roommates.”