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Here goes nothing.“I should’ve told you that part too, but I chickened out.”
“So what’s the deal?”
“He was a patient at the same hospital. He beat cancer too. When I saw him again after so many years, I freaked. Apparently, that’s the effect my parents have on me. He was the only one who knew my secret, and I thought he might…but now you do too. So I’ve got to learn to trust more people in my life.”
“Man, I’m sorry you’ve been carrying this around.”
“We all have shit we carry around.” I motioned to him, as a reminder that we’d just discussed him being scared to admit to his parents that he hated his business classes.
“Tell me about it,” he muttered. “So, Lark’s a good guy?”
I couldn’t help the smile that pulled at my lips. “Yeah, he is. And I want to get to know him again.”
He nodded. “What’s with the Band-Aids?”
“No clue.”
But maybe he’d trust me enough someday too.
11
LARK
The students had gatheredin the large rotunda for Parents’ Day as some of the parents had begun arriving. It had been decorated elaborately with flower arrangements and an arch of balloons that read: WELCOME. I just hoped Mom and Star got here before my nerves got the best of me.
Emil had introduced me to his mom and dad, who seemed nice enough, but I still felt under their scrutiny, as I did with the other parents there. Or perhaps it was my imagination. It wasn’t like I hadscholarship studenttaped to my back, but labels mattered to these people. I could’ve sworn I felt more than one set of eyes study me from my collared shirt down to my sneakers. Thankfully, sneakers were allowed as long as they weren’t ripped or dirty. Mine were just an off-brand and dull with wear.
I also couldn’t help glancing across the room to where Henry and Spencer were standing with their parents. I recognized Mr. and Mrs. Albrecht immediately, mostly because of how stiff and proper they always looked. Mr. Albrecht wore a suit and tie, and Mrs. Albrecht an expensive-looking silk dress. Most of the parents had dressed up, and I panicked because I hadn’t warned Mom that might be the case. But how could I have known? At least Emil’s parents weren’t wearing anything formal or flashy.
Henry and Spencer were in ties and button-down shirts too, and Henry looked very handsome, but given how rigidly he was standing, he wasn’t very comfortable, either about the visit or the clothing.
“Don’t worry so much,”Mom had said that morning as we were frantically trying to get out the door because we were running late. She kissed my cheek and sent me off, but it had done nothing to assuage my anxiety.
Especially since I never told her…about Henry.
So I might’ve majorly fucked this up. I could only hope we never came in close contact with the Albrechts and that she wouldn’t recognize them.
Just as I was about to lift my phone to text Mom that she was late, she and Star finally entered through the main door. Mom looked nice in tailored slacks and a white lace blouse I’d never seen before, so she must’ve bought it for this occasion. God, I loved her for not showing up in her ripped jeans, boho flowy top, and twenty-year-old Birkenstocks that she loved so much.
I lifted my hand in a wave, and when Star and I locked eyes, she screeched and began running toward me as if she hadn’t seen me in days. I couldn’t help smiling because she was the cutest, especially in her yellow dress and pigtails Mom had taken the time to style.
It felt like I had the attention of the entire room when I crouched down to take the brunt of her weight as she threw her arms around my neck. My gaze connected with Henry’s over her shoulder, and he offered a weak smile, his cheeks flushing, which was the second clue that he was as uncomfortable with this whole thing as I was. Or maybe it was because of whatever happened between us in the supply closet the other day. I thought maybe he was going to kiss me, and I would’ve welcomed it. Which would likely be a bad idea, given how our semester had started off.
I pecked Star’s head, then clutched her hand as I stood to greet Mom.
“She was so excited to see you,” Mom said with a smile as she bussed my cheek.
I laughed. “You’d think I lived in the dorms.”
I felt people’s eyes on us, and maybe not only because Star had just made a spectacle of herself. I’d been stupid enough to think college would be different. Maybe if I’d decided to attend a public university… But then I’d be applying for student loans and financial aid, and being accepted to Roosevelt was supposed to be my dream.
“Do you want to get some punch and snacks?” I asked Mom.
Star answered emphatically, “Yes!”
She tugged on my arm, and we made our way to the refreshments table, where we piled on a plate of cheese and crackers, veggies and dip, and then poured three cups of punch. I introduced my family to Emil and his parents, and we chatted for a bit about the dance program. What Emil said about his parents was right on—they didn’t treat Mom any differently. In fact, his mom complimented my mother’s blouse.
We waited as the university president made a speech and some announcements, which seemed to take forever. I didn’t know who was squirming more, me or Star, but I had made sure to stay on the other side of the room from the Albrechts.
