Page 77 of My Family

"Morning," he says. Then he starts reading the names from his clipboard. "Adam. Addacott. Barney… Farley. Farley."

Tyler and Ethan. I always chuckle at this part.

"Marsal."

"Here," I say, and he moves on.

When he's done, he drops his head, closes his eyes, and says, "Prayers and good thoughts."

We get a moment of silence. I don't think about anything in particular. When he thinks we've had enough, he looks at us and starts the morning announcements.

"Few quick items before breakfast. First, maintenance will be working on the gym showers tomorrow morning. Shower in the dorm block." He pauses, consulting his clipboard. "Second, the library has received a donation of new science textbooks."

I catch Miles's expression shifting from baseline neutral to mildly interested.

"Third," Griff continues, "there will be random drug tests starting Monday. I expect everybody to be clean, of course, but you know how the board requires it every trimester." His gaze sweeps across the room, landing nowhere specific but somehow making everyone squirm.

"Finally, I have an announcement regarding the inter-academy MMA tournament scheduled for three weeks from now."

Most of us are in MMA, so most of us are interested. A chance of getting out of Aspire, sleeping in a hotel, having fun.

"Aspire will be sending a team of eight to compete against Westlake Academy," Griff says, his tone matter-of-fact despite the electric tension spreading through the room. "These competitions build discipline and focus. As you know, we want you to go back out into society, and this is a chance to demonstrate progress that could help your case."

My palms are suddenly damp. I wipe them against my pants, trying to control my breathing. Ethan looks at me for a moment and smiles, just for a second. He has been chosen twice before. Last year he didn't go, and I suspect it had something to do with wanting to stay with me. I wasn't chosen last year because I was still a rookie, but I've improved so much since then.

"The selection process was based on skill level, behavioral record, and demonstrated commitment to the program," Griff continues. "I'll read the roster."

The silence is absolute now.

"Reed Hoffman."

Of course. Reed is the best MMA fighter in the academy, and probably in the other academies too. He wins every year.

"Ethan Farley."

I break into a grin and grab his hand for a second, before letting go. He smiles, also only for a second, before going back to that neutral face. Ethan's one of the best fighters. Still, I feel a surge of pride so intense it's almost embarrassing. That's my person up there, being recognized for something he's exceptional at.

"Tyler Farley."

This gets a reaction. Whispers ripple through the room. Tyler's a rookie and rookies rarely get the chance to leave the facility. But Tyler is good. He has a ridiculous natural talent and Ethan has been training him personally ever since he got better. He's better than me, no matter how much I train.

I watch Tyler's reaction. He smiles and immediately looks for Ethan, who's also smiling and nods at him. They're very cute together. And I don't even feel jealous saying this.

Griff continues through the list. Santana, Cedric, a guy named Dan. With each name called, my hope dims. Eight spots.

"Jack Perry," he says. I look at Jack, grinning, and he jumps in place, surprised and excited.

Seven places already filled. Dozens of guys with more experience, more muscle, more everything than me.

"And lastly," Griff says, pausing to turn the page on his clipboard, "Liam Marsal."

The world stops.

For a second, I think I've misheard. My name doesn't belong on that list. But Griff is already moving on to logistics, practice schedules, permission forms, transport details, rules we'll apparently be destroyed for breaking. And around me, the room has resumed its background noise.

Jack's hand lands on my shoulder, squeezing hard enough to hurt. "Holy shit," he says, grinning so wide it must ache. "You made it! I mean, I knew you would, but you know, you're up against gorillas, man."

I still can't speak. Ethan is looking at me with so much pride in his eyes it's almost strange to see on him.