Page 6 of Jerk

“I still have a name here,” I remind her. And myself. “But for Krystal, it’s different. You know that.”

“I knew I should’ve applied to NYU,” Krystal groans, turning to our mother. “You have connections there, too, right?”

As much as I want her around, she should know better. She was born and raised in Paradise Hill. She should know surviving here takes a lot more than just showing up.

“Don’t be ridiculous. NYU is no SBU.” Mother waves her off. “You’ll spend forever in New York and it won’t get you anywhere close to where two semesters at SBU will get you.”

My phone vibrates again.

Gray: All loaded for tonight [snow emoji]

“Ryung’s right,” Krystal argues. “There’s hierarchy here that I’m not part of anymore.”

“That’s true, but wait just a moment." A small smirk creeps on my face. I know how to make tonight even better. Turns out, Krystal’s timing is perfect. “Tell you what.” I keep my eyes on myphone, texting Gray back. “I’ll help Krystal get back in The Hill’s social graces.”

Ryung: And the posse? Are they all in?

“She doesn’t need your help,” my mother snaps. “Or did you forget you’re an embarrassment to our name?” I hate it when she sounds like him. “If anything, you’re the reason your sister is anxious about being here. Not me.”

“She’s only anxious about being here because you kicked her out in the first place.” This conversation makes me reach for another cigarette.

My mother steps toward me, knocking it out of my hand. “That was your father.”

“You backed his decision when you didn’t stop him. When are you going to stop siding with his bullshit? You'd rather he cut off our resources than actually give a fuck about us.”

“Guys, c’mon.” Krystal’s voice doesn’t make our mother back down.

“You’re spoiled.Wespoiled you. We give you everything, and still, you find a way to threaten us. I don’t always agree with your father, but he does what’s best for our name.” She points a long, thin finger in my face, her diamond ring blinding. “Your decisions affect us.”

“No, it affects your business.” I tap another cigarette out of the black pack, proving her right on the spoiled part. “Do us all a favour and admit you’re both?—”

“Mom, wait,” Krystal pipes in before I say something I can’t take back. “I know this school can be ruthless, but Rye’s at the top, regardless of what happened.” That’s one thing that won’t change, no matter how hard Hannah tries to take that from me. That night pops back in my head. The heat of her body. The smell of her minty-sweet, tobacco-laced breath. The shake in hervoice. “As far as I know, a lot of people still respect Ryung. He’s still a Crown. NYU is great, but SBU is elite. You said it yourself.”

Mother’s shoulders drop, her eyes moving between her offspring. She really should’ve stuck to dressmaking over baby-making.

“Fine,” she says. “But whatever it is you’re planning. Stop it. If your father finds out, cutting you off will be the least of your issues.”

My phone vibrates again.

Gray: The posse is in

That’s great, but my new plan is greater. “Can’t. Krystal’s coming tonight.”

“I am?” Krystal’s head whips to me.

“No, Krystal will not be part of this,” Mother protests.

“Everyone from campus will be here.”

“So? How is this important?”

“Oh, it’s important.” I chuckle through my words. “But you’re too old to remember what it’s like to be young and influential.”

“It’s okay!” Krystal says, my mother’s face red with a scowl. “I’ll go. I want to go.”

“You know,” Mother says, snarling at me. “Sometimes I worry you’ll end up like your father.”

“You’re the one who procreated with a narc.” She gives me a blank stare. “Narcissist,” I emphasize. “Or did you not notice?”