“Actually,” Ms. Bairns says, “I don’t think that will be necessary. I’m a recruiter for Eastpoint University and I’ve actually come to speak with you about a student of yours that our Dual Enrollment program is highly interested in. I do believe I’ve come at the perfect time, too. This wouldn’t happen to be Ms. Avalon Manning, would it?”
“We weren’t expecting you until next week,” Principal Delaney says, not bothering to mask her surprise. I shoot her a confused look, but she's too focused on the woman to see it.
Ms. Bairns smiles. “I was in the area.”
“What the fuck is going on right now?” I demand, uncrossing my ankles as I stand up and face them both.
Principal Delaney drops the woman’s hand and makes a noise that sounds suspiciously like a growl. I don’t have to look at her to know that she's glaring at me—I can feel the burn of it on my skin but I don’t care. I keep my gaze locked on the woman in white.
“What’s going on, Avalon, is that you’re being recruited,” she replies. “Starting next week I would like to enroll you in Eastpoint University.” I open my mouth, but she beats me to the punch. “Eastpoint offers a unique opportunity where select students who have yet to graduate high school can enroll and take credits towards a future degree and those same credits will count towards your high school diploma.” She smiles at me, but my head is in a whirlwind of ‘what the fucks.’ “Since this is your last semester”—she pauses, looking to Principal Delaney as if to confirm and Principal Delaney gives her a nod in return—“you’ll only be required to attend for a full semester, but it is very much Eastpoint’s hope that after you graduate with your diploma, you’ll be willing to stay and continue your education with us.”
I open my mouth, but she jumps ahead. “And if you’re worried about your parents, you needn’t bother. I’ve just come from your mother’s house. She’s already signed off on the agreement.”
My jaw drops. I can’t imagine this woman—in her pristine white clothes—stepping even one centimeter into my ‘mother’s house.’ Had she seen the streaks of dirt and grime nearly an inch thick on the cracked screen door? Or perhaps smelled the scent of days-old vomit and weed in the stale air of the trailer? And still, she came here to try and recruit me? I knew I was smart, but this was suspicious as fuck.
“Ava?” Principal Delaney’s hesitant tone brings me back.
I shake my head. “You can’t be serious.”
“Oh, I’m completely serious, Avalon,” Ms. Bairns replies. “Eastpoint is an elite school and we only recruit those who are eligible for our programs.”
I gesture down to my person. “Then there’s obviously been some mistake,” I say. “I’m not elite anything. Something you would know if you’ve been to my house as you say you have.”
Ms. Bairns smirks as she looks down at me from the perch of her heels. I grit my teeth. A smirk like that makes me want to punch something. Again. “I think you’ll find that, at a place like Eastpoint, elite means more than where you come from. Elite refers to where you’re going. Everyone we recruit is going somewhere far better than anywhere they’ve ever been.”
“That still doesn’t explain why you want to recruit me,” I say, narrowing my eyes. “I can’t even afford college.” And it doesn’t make any sense for a college to try to recruit me. My record with schools isn’t even close to being good. I’ve been kicked out of four schools—five if we’re going to count the one I’m currently standing in. I'm not exactly prime fucking recruitment material and I know it.
“Eastpoint focuses on what’s important,” Ms. Bairns says with a knowing smile. Her ambiguity is not endearing. “And since you’re being recruited, you must understand we’re offering you a position on a scholarship. All program students are offered the same package. You come to Eastpoint, keep your grades at the level they are right now, and you’ll also likely be offered a secondary scholarship to continue your education with us.”
I snort. “Well, thanks, but no thanks,” I say. “I’ve got a plan.”
“Actually, I’m afraid you won’t after today, Ava.” Principal Delaney’s words are ice cold water splashed over my head, reminding me why I'm in this office to begin with. “With everything that’s happened today, I have to take executive action.”
Executive action meaning expulsion. Fuck.
“More than that,” she continues, “you’re looking at a possible assault charge. Brooke’s parents aren’t going to be happy about what happened today.”
I’d known that, and this morning I’d been prepared for it. Now, though, with this woman’s talk of college and diplomas—I’m reminded of the reason why I’ve kept my grades so high. I want to get the fuck out of here, and from the way the woman’s smile widens, she knows it.
“I believe I can handle the student’s parents,” Ms. Bairns says, shocking me.
“Handle them?” I arch an eyebrow at her.
She shrugs. “Eastpoint—and therefore I—am willing to do whatever it takes to get you to our school, Avalon. If it takes a little money then that’s what it takes. I assure you, I’ve gotten my charges out of worse situations.” Ms. Bairns bends and meets my eyes head on. I don’t jerk away or frown. I simply stare and wait, knowing she isn’t done. “So, that begs the question, what will your choice be?”
Choice? With the way she’s talking, she’s not really leaving me much of one. The answer is pretty apparent. It’s Eastpoint University, juvenile detention, or probably jail.
Eastpoint, it is.
4
Avalon
2 weeks later…
Welcome to Rich-People-Ville. Population—top one percenters, their devilish offspring, and now me. To say I’m not exactly overjoyed is an understatement. The second I set sights on Eastpoint University, I know I'm going to fucking hate it here. The buildings look like mini-castles. Stacked brick. Spiked roofs. Tall archways. There's even a clock tower and statues placed in various positions around campus as we drive through the iron front gates.
"College semesters begin a little later than what you’re used to, but I’ve arranged for your classes to start on Monday, so you’ll have the weekend to take a look around campus and settle in,” Ms. Bairns announces, breaking the blessed fucking silence I’d enjoyed for the last two hours—because it’d taken her nearly eight to shut the fuck up as she’d rattled on about Eastpoint this and Eastpoint that. “I have no doubt you’ll be quick to catch up—especially with your academic transcripts.” She chuckles. “I should let you know, though, there are just a few rules we should cover before we get to the dorm."
"Of course there are," I mutter, waving my hand for her to get on with it. I'll decide later whether or not I'll follow them. As far as I'm concerned there are only my personal rules that truly need to be followed. Everything else is mere suggestion.