Page 39 of Mr. Match

“We’re not a society, Miss Kalashova,” Lauren says. “We’re just a science group who have a scholarship event every spring. Lily here has signed up to compete. We’re all about helping people find a way to realize their dreams. And by the way, I love your last name. It’s so… Cold War, right, girls?”

They have a good giggle at my expense. I look at Lily. She smiles and pretends that didn’t just happen. “Kat,” she says, “if you participate every year you’re eligible for the grad school free-ride scholarship when you’re a senior. I’m totally winning that prize to pay for med school.”

“Mmmmhmmm,” I say, taking a sip of my latte. “So are you girls… local?” I try not to seem suspicious but I’m not sure I pull it off.

“Yeah,” Lauren says, who seems to be the leader of the little clique. The others just giggle and smile. “My dad is a rancher over on the Western Slope. Michelle’s mother owns seventeen doggie daycares that got their start in Aspen.”

“I’m the token snob.” Michelle laughs. “What can I say?”

“And Kelly and Angie are first-generation college students who grew up in North Denver.”

“We’re the token thugs,” Angie says. Kelly laughs with her. I force a smile.

“Well, science nerds. The whole lot of you,” I say. “I’m afraid I’m an art nerd from way back. But it’s been nice to chat with you.” I look at Lily and nod my head. “Walk me out, sis.”

The girls all call out a goodbye and Lily whispers something about being right back as she follows me out to the street.

“What did I tell you?” I ask, never breaking my fake smile.

“It’s not a sorority. And God, I don’t see the big deal anyway. They’re a bunch of middle-class do-gooders, Kat. Don’t start with me. You know I have a hard time making friends. And it doesn’t help that you forced me to go to this stupid state school. All my friends from Parson went to Ivy League schools. I could be at Cornell right now.”

“We can’t afford Cornell, Lily,” I say in my most tolerant voice. “That scholarship wasn’t enough to pay for the dorms, let alone the education. Twenty-five thousand I can swing on my own. Expecting me to find an extra sixty grand every year is just delusional.”

“You don’t need to do it on your own,” she says.

My back stiffens. How dare she. After all the things I’ve done for her over the years.

Be calm, Kat. Just be cool. “We’ve had this discussion a thousand times in the last four years,” I say with a fake, pleasant voice. “I’m not taking that money to pay for you. I pay for you, Lily. Me. No one else. You will never be in debt the way I was. And I’m pretty ticked off that you even brought it up.”

“I get it,” she snaps. “But just because Mom and Dad were mixed up with some bad people and you’re paranoid about me running with the wrong crowd doesn’t mean I can’t have friends in school. I’m tired of this bullshit.”

“Language, Lily. I’m warning you.”

“I’m warning you. Stop mothering me. I’m not your child, OK? I’m your sister. The Antimony Association is a bunch of nerdy wannabes. And maybe they’re not my first choice as far as social groups go, but I don’t have a lot of options since I’m stuck here in Colorado going to a school nobody cares about.”

I’m about to explain that antimony is a silver metallic metal, but then she’d just say, So what? And I can’t get into the whole silver connection with her. So I don’t bother. These girls really are nobodies anyway. Rancher’s daughter? Doggie daycare empire? First-generation scholarship students? I mean, please. They aren’t even close to being top-tier Ivy League recruits. The Silver Society wouldn’t give them the time of day, let alone build a chapter around them. In fact, they are probably the perfect group of friends for my baby sister. Rational middle-class people.

I sigh and give in. “OK. You’re right. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have made a big deal about it.”

But Lily’s angry face doesn’t dissipate. She crosses her arms and stands her ground.

“I’m sorry,” I say again. “Really. They’re harmless. Nerds.” I offer a smile as my olive branch.

“They’re nice,” she insists. “And I want that scholarship. Lauren is the head of the club and she likes me. Michelle is going to take over when Lauren leaves next year, so I need to be friends with her too because I’m going to be competing with Kelly for the senior scholarships. We’re both freshman.”

“I said OK.” Now she’s got me on the defensive and I don’t like it. “I’m sure they’re all very nice girls. Maybe you can… bring them over for lunch one day? Hmm? My treat?”

Lily considers if she should relent and forgive me or dig in her heels. But we’re not fighting sisters. We’ve always been close. So she smiles and says, “That would be great. I’m sure they’d love to meet you for real. I mean, you’re kinda famous, right?”

“No,” I say, laughing. “No. Do not tell them what I do, Lily. You will ruin your chances at that scholarship for sure.”

“What?” she asks innocently. “You’re just an eccentric photographer.”

I laugh again. “Right. Stick to the story and you’re fine.”

“Thanks,” Lily says, leaning up to kiss my cheek. “I’ll call you later. I gotta get back. We were having a riveting conversation about proton pumps and ion channels.”

“Riveting,” I say. She smiles one more time, then turns away and disappears into the crowd of people lining up inside to get coffee.