Page 93 of Fall Fake-Out

Something about his answer causes her eyes to light up. “That’s what I like to hear. I still need to stop by your office and talk about scholarship opportunities.”

“I think the guidance counselors would be best for that.”

“Not for me. I just love your hands-on approach with students. That’s the kind of personal care I respond to.” There’s a smile just for me, then she moves back toward the front of the group.

Wade waits until she’s several yards ahead before turning to me with a gaping mouth. “Did you hear that?”

“You have bigger problems than that. I need to show you something.”

“Bigger problems than that?” Wade sighs dramatically. “What could possibly be bigger than that?

“An essay.”

His face falls. “I don’t want to be a schoolteacher right now.”

“It’s Ashtyn’s.”

That gets his attention.

I pull the paper out of my purse and hand it to him. “Read it.”

He unfolds it while we walk and begins scanning his eyes across the page, reading it out loud under his breath.

Character Assessment: by Ashtyn Ellis

I think Jay Gatsby is one of the most determined characters in the book. He spends years trying to get Daisy back and never gives up on her, no matter the obstacles, and even when everyone thinks he should.

A lot of people blame Gatsby for chasing a married woman, but I think Tom Buchanan is a bigger villain. Tom acts like Daisy belongs to him just because he’s her husband. He gets angry whenever Gatsby is around and tries to stop them from seeing each other. But Daisy doesn’t even love him. It’s obvious to everyone. And everything Tom tries to do to keep them apart doesn’t work. Gatsby and Daisy still find ways to spend time together because they want to. They don’t stop talking to each other just because someone else says they should or because Daisy is in a relationship.

That’s why Gatsby is my favorite character in the book.

“What in the actual…” Wade breathes out. “This isn’t about the book.”

There’s a ton of sarcasm in my tone. “You think?”

“It’s about me! She’s Gatsby, I’m Daisy, and you’re Tom, the villain keeping them apart.” He looks up toward the students, toward Ashtyn, who’s currently laughing with two friends, looking exactly like every other teenager in the group.

“Yeah, pretty obvious, right?”

“This is psycho! She’s basically saying that even if I’m in a relationship, she’s not going to give up pursuing me.”

“Despite my best efforts, she seems to be escalating her plan.”

“I feel like I have a stalker too. Maybe I need to live with Tate Walker for protection.”

My chest puffs out. “I’m your protection. I mean, I haven’t gotten rid of her yet, but I’m still here trying.”

This immediately draws a cute smile out of him. “I’d much rather spend time with you than Tate. And with Tate, there’s no option of getting a kiss out of it.”

“There’s no option of getting a kiss out of it with me either.”

“What are you talking about?” His expression goes smug. “You already kissed me, remember?”

“That was hardly a kiss.”

“You’re right. We should probably try again.”

I laugh, shoving him away from me.