“No, not the same,” he shakes his head. “I’d love to go, but we could never afford it, and then Kit took me in.”
“Okay, well. I didn’t wanna go.”
“Why not?” he presses. And suddenly, he’s heavier on me. Like he’s gained the weight of my old memories and anxiety.
“Because,” I say, shifting under him, but he doesn’t move.
“What do you meanbecause?” he questions. “Do you know how many kids dream about going to college but can’t afford it? Your parents are rich as fuck; you could’ve gone to any school you’d wanted.”
“Yeah, but I didn’t wanna go toanyschool.” I shift again, pushing him off me, and stand. I need air.
“What’s the matter?” he asks, sitting up.
“Nothing. I don’t know what you’re keep bugging me about this. I didn’t wanna go to college. I wanted to be a tattoo artist, and now I am, so?” I shrug, and cross my arms.
“You could’ve been a tattoo artist after college, too.”
I scoff. “Dude, fucking drop it already!”
He tilts his head, searching my face. “Why are you getting mad?”
I drag a hand down my face. “Look, I fucking hated high school, and I was done with all of that, so I decided not to go to college. It was my decision. Me not going doesn’t stop other kids from going. Poor kids would still be poor, regardless of whether I went or not.”
He frowns at me, hunching forward, elbows on his knees. “Why did you hate high school?”
“Everybody hates high school.”
He shakes his head. “I didn’t.”
I scoff, shaking my head as I scratch my eyebrow. “Of course, you didn’t,” I mumble, turning around and walking into the kitchen. Opening the fridge just to do something with myshaking hands. My pulse is hammering in my ears, and there’s ice in my stomach. My skin is too tight, and I just want to leave.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” He stands, walks up the to the kitchen island, and places his hands on it.
“Nothing.”
“No, tell me. What did you mean by that?”
I slam the fridge door closed. “I meant that of course the perfect Kaden Merrick with his perfect girlfriend Stacy didn’t hate high school, and anyone who did, and on top of that, didn’t go to college, is a fucking basket case who can’t recognize privilege when it bites him in the ass!” I snap.
He flinches and stares at me, and I can hear the walls crumbling down. Brick by brick. My mask is slipping off like it’s made of oil. I swallow, clench my fists, and try to will my breathing to calm down.
It’s not working.
“Okay,” he says slowly, frowning. “What’s happening right now?”
I just shake my head, staring at the floor.
“Did I do something? You know I didn’t mean—”
“Not everything’s about you, Kade,” I snap, glaring at him.
He scoffs, crossing his arms. “Now you’re just being shitty.”
“Yeah, well, news flash.” I throw my arms out. “I’m a shitty person.”
“Seth, what the fuck is—”
“Just drop it, Kaden!” I snap again.
