Chapter 5: Confessions on the Run

But I also didn’t want to miss a free tutoring session with the valedictorian. Rumor had it he charged $60 an hour. With my questions and slow brain, I’d save at least $120.

I mulled it over and decided to do both.

And since the two of them fought every time they met, I figured I’d better keep it secret from each.

To be flawless, I prepped two outfits and two bags.

Genius. I even admired my own cleverness.

Until I pulled out a pair of skates at the library.

I froze, and so did Carter.

"Is this your homework?"

My face turned red instantly, like a kid caught doodling by the teacher.

"No, it’s not. I grabbed the wrong bag..."

I rummaged through the banana bag, finally feeling something thin.

This must be my homework!

With a flourish, I pulled it out—a sanitary pad.

Carter looked at me with a complicated expression: "If you don’t want to study, it’s fine. I’ve organized the notes for you. Take them home. If you don’t get it, ask again."

He started packing up.

I panicked, face burning, and explained: "I really want to learn, I swear! It’s $60 an hour, I’d be crazy not to take it!"

In my rush, I blurted out my true thoughts.

"I’m just greedy. I rushed to get breakfast at the dining hall and grabbed the wrong bag..."

Carter’s face got even weirder. Seeing him nearly done packing, I couldn’t let him leave.

I stood up, eyes determined, pressing his shoulders and forcing him back into his seat:

"I really, really love learning—math, calculus, linear algebra, every question I can’t answer. Valedictorian, please give me another chance!"

Before he could reply, I dashed to the copy room next door and made a copy of my homework.

Luckily, Carter was moved by my thirst for knowledge and stayed.

I happily slid my questions in front of him and began a three-hour "prison sentence."

When I left the library, my legs were weak, my face colorless, and I felt like math had drained my soul.

In contrast, the patient valedictorian looked energized and satisfied:

"Come by next time if you’re stuck."

"Th-thank you."

"No problem." Carter whipped out his phone and showed me a Venmo QR code. "Three hours, $180. Student discount, 10% off. First time, another 20% off. Total, $129."

"Wait, isn’t this free..."

Carter cut me off and switched screens: "Cash App works too."

I tearfully paid a quarter of my monthly allowance.

Back in the dorm, I collapsed on the bed, starving and exhausted.

My roommate, gaming with headphones, let me rest quietly.

My head spun with Carter’s math notes and impossible symbols. I passed out on the bed like a log.

Until my phone’s barking alarm woke me up.

"What time is it? Why am I so hungry?"

Maribel popped a strawberry in her mouth: "Hungry? I just bought strawberries, want some?"

"Of course!"

I turned off the weird alarm and squeezed in next to her to watch Netflix.

When the main character went to the mountaintop, we both fast-forwarded.

"By the way," Maribel chewed a strawberry, "You’re back so soon? I thought skating would take longer."

"Wait! What did you just say?"

"Skating would take longer."

"Crap, I’m dead."

My eyes went blank, and the strawberry fell onto my knee.

"That’s it, Mari, you’ll have to claim my body."

"Where are you?"

"You’re late."

"You messing with me?"

An hour ago, Sean sent these texts, all unanswered.

I nervously walked to the agreed spot by the school gate, but it was deserted.

The 800-word apology I sent Sean got no reply.

Maribel looked around: "Josie, you think a bunch of guys in black are gonna show up and throw us in a van?"

"I’ll go to the rink and find him. If he hits me, I’ll call the cops!"

"...You’re brave."

Full of bravado at the gate, I lost all confidence at the skating rink. There were too many people.

Everyone was in gear, faces covered. They looked like clones—even their parents wouldn’t recognize them.

I searched for someone with Sean’s build.

No luck. I hid in a corner and sent Sean a photo:

"I really came, where are you?"

"I know I messed up, please forgive me."

Still no reply.

I put on my gear and skated alone for two hours. I paid, so I had to get my money’s worth.

Afterward, I shivered as I took off the gear.

My feet didn’t cooperate, and I felt like I’d do the splits just walking.

Today was a disaster. Hugging my little bag, I counted my losses.

Since mixing up Sean and Carter, I’d bought fruit as an apology, paid for a tutor, and paid to skate alone.

A loss! A huge loss!

While I wondered how to recover my wasted money, a shadow blocked my way.

Not one, but two, three, four, five.

Five guys with wild dyed hair blocked my way.