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I shrug. “Do you want to attend college or get a job?”
Her expression turns a little serious. “We haven’t really discussed it yet.”
“Is it bothering you?”
She shakes her head. “I want to attend veterinary school in the fall. It’s what I’ve been working for and there’s one not too far from here.” Her throat bobs as she swallows. “As long as I get in.”
“You will, as you are the smartest person I know.” She really is a brain box with school, as in traditional school subjects, rather than the unconventional subjects we take at SA. “Does that mean you are going to sit your SATs?”
She nods. “Of course. I’ve booked my slot already.”
“A true planner. I wish I knew what the fuck I was doing after graduation.”
She comes to sit next to me. “You don’t have any idea?”
“My father wants to marry me off. I don’t want that.”
“So tell him.”
I shake my head. “It’s not that simple.”
Eva nods. “Believe me, I understand that more than you know.” She draws in a deep breath. “My family was exactly the same. They wouldn’t listen to me.” Her brow furrows. “My mom even tried to kill me for doing what I wanted.”
I swallow hard, as the Carmichael family is far less ruthless than mine. “It’s why I can’t tell him what I want. My father would probably murder me the moment I did.”
Eva doesn’t say a word to the contrary. “Shall we stop dwelling on this and get some pizza at Fratelli’s?
My stomach rumbles in response. “Hell yeah.” I eye the beautiful lilac dress she’s wearing. “Yes or no to the dress?”
Eva glances at it in the mirror. “I love it. What do you think?”
I nod. “It’s beautiful. I’m sure Oak will love it.” I wink, still finding a little odd calling Principal Byrne by his first name, but Eva always refers to him naturally by his first name.
Eva blushes. “Okay, I think I’ll get it.” Her attention moves to the dresses I tried on and hated everyone. “Are you sure you don’t like any of those?”
I nod. “Positive.”
“We can continue shopping after lunch.”
“Sounds good.”
It’s amusing how much Eva has changed since I met her. The girl I met not long after the start of the academic year was timid and shy. Certainly not a girl who enjoys going shopping all day for dresses. Hell, she hardly owned any dresses. She has come out of her shell since she arrived.
We pay for Eva’s dress and then head down the main street toward Fratelli’s pizzeria. They do the best pizza in town. Once we’re in, they seat us near the back and we order a bottle of wine to share, using our fake IDs.
“So, how is everything with Coach?” Eva asks.
Heat slams into me as I know she means him constantly trying to get me into his bed, but that ship sailed months ago. “What do you mean?”
“Is he still being an asshole?” She looks up from her menu and I try to compose myself.
I shake my head. “Not so bad.” It’s a brief answer, as I fear if I talk too much, I’ll reveal the truth.
“So he’s stopped trying to get you in his bed?”
I nod. “Yeah, thankfully. I guess persistence paid off.” I don’t enjoy lying to my friends, but telling her I gave in and slept with him would bring up questions I can’t answer. Why didn’t I fight back? And the reason is he blackmailed me. Anita has remained silent about it, which I never expected. Maybe she’s scared I’ll break more of her bones.
“I guess so,” Eva says, as the server approaches our table.
