After study hall in the library, I drag my fingers across locker doors on my way to the art room.
I discover Colton fast asleep on the sofa outside the guidance counselor’s office. Vanessa wasn’t kidding that he likes to sleep. When I look at the wall above the couch, I’m blinded by inspirational posters: CONFIDENCE, WINNING, COURAGE, TEAMWORK, DESTINY, CHARACTER.
Oh, my eyes. Why can’t there be an inspirational poster for BADASS?
Thinking about Rory and his dreams of going to college, I open a pamphlet about the ACT. I scan the information, reading about upcoming test dates and facilities and—
Shit.
Just taking the test costs $50.05! Why is nothing free? Or at least cheap! How are poor people supposed to plan for the damned future if everything costs so damned much? How can Rory afford the testing costs plus the application fees?
And what the hell is the five extra cents for?
I slip the pamphlet back in its slot and turn away, and run smack into Jack. He’s drinking a Capri Sun and carrying a blue camping cooler.
“Yvonne packed you an entire cooler?” I ask, giving my Velcro bag a dirty look.
He grins. “Sure did. She gave me string cheese. And a juice pouch!” He toasts me with the Capri Sun.
I shove his chest. “She gave you string cheese!”
“I might have one left,” he says with a wink.
“I want it!”
“You wouldn’t share your roast beef with me yesterday.”
“Yeah, well, you ate half of it anyway.”
“What were you looking at?” Jack asks, nodding at the wall of brochures. “Deciding when to take the ACT?”
“Oh, um, no—”
“Did you already take it? I’ve taken it twice but I’m gonna take it again because Dad thinks I can do better,” Jack says, sipping his juice pouch.
“I haven’t taken it.”
“You can borrow my study guides if you want. I’ve got a whole box of them.”
“I’m not taking the test.”
“You’re taking the SAT then?”
“No…I’m not applying anywhere, so there’s no reason to take the tests.”
“But what about college?” Jack asks.
“Why would I go to college? I can work as an exercise rider and make plenty of money. You have to, like, pay for college.”
“But don’t you want more?” Jack asks, furrowing his eyebrows.
“I do. That’s why I applied to be an exercise rider. Plus, a high school degree is worth a lot.”
Jack stares at me for a long time, sucking on his Capri Sun.
“Are you going to college?” I ask.
He looks shocked at my question. “Yeah. Probably nearby, so I can keep an eye on the farm. Maybe Vanderbilt. I’m gonna major in business and get my MBA, like my dad did.”
At my old school in Charles Town, only about half the graduates ended up going to college. The rest went on to work at the casino or a hotel, or got married.
Jack continues, “I have no idea why you wouldn’t go to college.”
I suck in air through my nose, dumbfounded that he doesn’tunderstand how little money I have. Is he clueless?
YOU ARE READING
Racing Savannah
Teen FictionThey're from two different worlds. He lives in the estate house, and she spends most of her time in the stables helping her father train horses. In fact, Savannah has always been much more comfortable around horses than boys. Especially boys like Ja...
