“That’s a great idea, Tink.” And I mean it. It’s one of the things that drew me to Yara: how smart and inquisitive she is. She has plenty of other great qualities, as well, but when she gets talking about her inventions… there’s just this glow she gets. It’s impossible to look away.
“Thanks, Ace.” She flashes me a grateful smile. “For everything.”
My heart squeezes again. “Any time.”
CHAPTER 3
YARA
“So,I’m trying to decide between Berkeley or MIT.”
Jack Elliott, one of the high schoolers who attends my evening robotics class, hops off his desk and slings his backpack over his shoulders. “What do you think, Ms. Alves? My dad is pushing for me to go to Berkeley, like he did. My mom thinks I should wait and see what offers I get from my safety schools. But I kind of like the idea of moving across the country. Getting a new perspective, and all that.”
I set the circuit board I’m holding into the storage container. Meeting Jack’s expectant gaze, I reply carefully, “Well, it’s a big decision. But you don’t have to decide yet, right?”
Jack nods. “MIT is non-binding early action, and Berkeley just has regular admissions. So, yes. But I don’t want to wait. I just want to decide now, so I don’t have to worry about it for the rest of senior year.”
“Have you heard from admissions yet?”
“Nope.” He adjusts the straps of his backpack on his skinny shoulders. “I should hear from MIT in mid-December. Berkeleywill be early spring. Same with my safeties. But—” He lowers his voice, though there’s no one else left in the room. “The admissions guy for MIT said he was sure I’d be accepted. Same with Berkeley. So…” He gives me a sheepish smile. “Not a bad problem to have, I know.”
Jack’s one of my most talented students, so I’m not surprised to hear his news. And it makes me feel good, knowing I played some small part in his future success. The robot he made in class during spring semester not only won a state-wide award, but garnered the interest of several top-notch colleges, Berkeley and MIT, included.
“It’s definitely not a bad problem to have,” I agree. “And I’m so happy for you. Before I know it, I’ll be seeing your name on the news for inventing the next ground-breaking robot.”
“Or winningBattleBots,” Jack adds. His smile grows brighter. “MIT has a combat robotics club. I would definitely join it if I go there.” He pauses. “But you went to Berkeley, right? And the stuff you build is amazing. So maybe Berkeley is the way to go.”
I stifle a smile. I remember being in high school, full of nervous anticipation about the whole college decision. My parents were so supportive, taking me to visit any college I wanted, and they reassured me that wherever I chose, they would make it happen.
Pain slivers into my heart; dulled from age, but never completely gone.
They were so proud of me.“Our resident genius,”my dad used to brag.“Just wait’til you see what she invents. Our Yara is going to change the world.”
Would they be proud of me now?
I used to think so, back when I was a Green Beret. Even though I wasn’t following the career path I’d planned, I imagined my mom and dad looking down at me and sayingto each other,That’s our Yara. Proving she really can do anything.
But I couldn’t. Not in the end.
A lump swells in my throat. It’s come more frequently over the last two weeks, ever since my failed mission in Tacoma. Even though Ace and the other Blade and Arrow guys were really nice about how it all went down, I still feel foolish and weak whenever I think about it.
It wasn’t bad enough that I totally freaked out over a tray falling on the floor. Or that I blew my whole plan to pieces and in the process, let that gross predator touch me. No, I had to top off the whole craptastic sundae by melting down in front of five men I respect.
Ugh.
“What do you think, Ms. Alves?” Jack gives me a curious look that makes me wonder how long I’ve been standing here, marinating in my maudlin thoughts.
Pull yourself together,I tell myself sternly.Enough of this wallowing. Things could be a heck of a lot worse than this.
I busy myself with the remainder of the circuit boards while I compose my thoughts. “I think whatever decision you make will be a good one,” I finally settle on. “The college you attend is only a small part of your future success. If you have the intelligence and the drive, you’ll do amazing things wherever you go.”
Jack stares at me for a long moment. His eyebrows arch up. “That sounds like a non-answer if I’ve ever heard one.”
Laughing, I reply, “Busted. But seriously, you can’t make a bad decision. If you want my advice, make a pro-con list for each school. Talk to people who go there. And don’t put too much pressure on yourself.”
“That’s what my guidance counselor told me,” Jack says. “I’ll make a bunch of pro-con lists this weekend. And I’ll let you know what I decide next class.”
From his pocket, his phone buzzes. He pulls it out to look at the screen. “Oops. It’s my mom. She’s waiting outside. I’d better run.” Before I can respond, he’s already heading for the door. “See you next week, Ms. Alves. Have a great weekend!”
