“Ella.”
I turn back. “What?”
His brows draw together. “Youaregoing to be valedictorian, right?”
“I think so.”
He eyes me, concern on his face. “Are you saying someone else might be?”
“Maybe. I don’t really know. I mean, it’s not like I’m tracking everyone’s grade point.”
“You get all A’s and do extra credit. There couldn’t possibly be anyone else even close to being valedictorian.”
I sigh. “Dad, what does it matter? I mean, nobody really cares who the valedictorian is. If I am, that’s great, but if I’m not, it’s not the end of the world.” I get out of the truck. “I have to go to the bathroom. I’ll see you inside.”
Racing in the house, I go into my room and shut the door. Why did I do that? Why did I even hint that I might not be valedictorian? Now my dad will know something’s up. He knows how much I want this. I’ve wanted it for years. Even in elementary school, I’d tell everyone I was going to be valedictorian. So acting like it doesn’t matter anymore is definitely going to make my dad suspicious.
The only reason I said it was to prepare him in case it didn’t happen. I’ll do everything I can to make sure it does, but I can’t predict what Briggs might do to stop me. He’s a loose cannon. Anything is possible with him. Or he’ll make his friends do something. Finn would do whatever Briggs told him to. I’m sure he’s the one who planted drugs in my locker. If the principal hadfound them, I could’ve been kicked out of school, ruining my chances of getting into a good college or getting a scholarship.
If it comes down to being valedictorian or saving my future, my future comes first. I just hope it doesn’t come to that.
“Ella.” My dad knocks on my door. “What do you think about going out for dinner after we clean up?”
“I’m not really hungry,” I yell back. “I think I’ll just go to bed.”
“Can I come in?”
Now he wants to talk. He thinks something’s wrong, and it is, but I don’t want him knowing that.
I open the door. “Dad, I’m fine. I’m just tired. It was a long day.”
“I know, which is why I think I’m going to hire someone.”
“For what?”
“To help out on the weekends so you can do your school work.”
“I don’t need more time for school stuff. I’m caught up on all my homework. I even worked ahead.”
“And your grades are okay?”
“Yes.”
“Then what was all that talk about not being valedictorian?”
“It was nothing. You’re reading too much into it.”
He eyes me, concern on his face. “Honey, you know I don’t care about this, right? It would be nice if you were the one up on stage giving a speech, but either way, I’m still proud of you, prouder than any father could be.”
“I know, Dad.”
He smiles. “How about we stay in and order a pizza?”
“Okay. And hey, you don’t have to hire someone. I don’t mind helping you out and it’d be better if we saved the money.”
He pats my shoulder. “You let me worry about the money. I’d rather have you out with your friends, enjoying your lastsemester of high school, than helping your old man with his lawn business.”
I’d rather help my dad. Charlotte’s my only friend, and I only see her at school. She spends all her free time at cello lessons, choir practice, and doing rich people stuff her parents make her do. She takes etiquette classes every Saturday, which her dad said is necessary for her to be successful in the business world. I’m so glad my dad doesn’t pressure me like that. That’s one good thing about not being rich. You don’t have all that pressure to keep up with the other rich people. My dad doesn’t care what I do as long as I’m happy.
