9781250209153

“Buck, don’t say ‘shit’ in front of the girls,” Mom says, glancing at
Daphne.
“Mom, I’m in seventh grade,” Daphne says exasperatedly. “Today I
heard one of my teachers say ‘shit.’”
“What? Why?”
“He was talking about Candlehawk.”
“Oh, well, that’s different.”
“Come on, we’re gonna be late,” Dad says. “I want to meet Scottie’s
new amour!”
“Are we sure we’re happy about this?” Thora asks. “I’m concerned
Scottie might be suffering from Stockholm syndrome.”
“Like Sweden?” Daphne says.
“No, like Beauty and the Beast. Scottie is in love with her captor.”
“Oh, Thora, don’t be a sass monster,” Mom says, swatting her. She
steers me toward the door and I shoot one last scowl at my sister. Her
timing could not have been worse. I still don’t have my car back, which
means I’ll have to ride with Mom, Dad, and their incessant questions.
I find Danielle and Mrs. Zander as soon as we enter the school
auditorium. “Help me keep them away from Irene,” I whisper under cover
of the parents talking. “Thora spilled the beans.”
Danielle rolls her eyes but finds us a row toward the top of the
auditorium, sequestered away from most of the senior class and their
parents. Mom and Dad make jovial conversation with Mrs. Zander, but their
eyes keep wandering over the newcomers like they expect Irene to appear at
my side any moment.
Thankfully, she doesn’t. I’m not even sure she’s there until I spot
Honey-Belle’s bright blond braids in the middle of the auditorium. Irene is
seated next to her, whispering into her ear, both her parents tucked into the
seats next to her.
The info session takes about forty-five minutes. I basically hear what I
already know: that my plan to attend Georgia State University will
definitely make me eligible for in-state scholarships. I pretty much zone out
after that, but when the guidance counselors touch on athletic scholarships,