“Hadley Grace Daniels, that isenough!” Mrs. Nora’s voice cracks like a whip through the kitchen. “This little tour of bitterness and anger you’re on? It endsnow.You’ve been hateful and cold to your brother for weeks. He’s tried to explain, to apologize, and you’ve done nothing but shut him out. Stop being so self-centered. Hudson has been punished enough.”
The sound of her shouting lingers. Everyone is staring, mouths open.
Mrs. Nora’s hand flies to her mouth, her eyes going wide with shock. “Hadley, sweetheart… I'm so sorry,” she breathes out, horrified by her own words.
But Hadley’s already shaking her head. “It’s always going to be Hudson first, isn’t it? Will I ever matter?” It comes out thin, strained—broken.
“Hads—” Hudson starts, reaching toward her.
She spins on her heel and bolts from the kitchen, the sounds of her crying echoing behind her.
“Give her some time to cool off.” Mr. Daniels’ tired voice cuts through the tension. “We can try talking to her later. She knows things have been stressful lately. She’ll come around.”
Hudson drops back into the chair like his legs won’t hold him any longer. “She’s never going to forgive me,” he mutters. His hands shake as he shoves his hair off his forehead. He starts thumbing through the pile of mail, like it’ll hide his anxiety.
He pauses over a white envelope with a gold-embossed emblem in the corner. He turns it over and starts tearing it open.
“What’s that?” his mom asks.
“It’s from Ashbridge State. Probably the official letter for my scholarship.”
“Perfect timing,” she exhales, sliding into the seat across from him. “We could use some good news right now.”
Hudson unfolds the crisp white paper and starts reading, his face falling.
“Well?” I ask, my stomach twisting. He doesn’t answer, just hands the letter to me with a blank expression.
I take it from him and begin reading aloud.
Dear Mr. Daniels,
We regret to inform you that the William Wells Academic Scholarship awarded to you in January of this year has been revoked due to a breach of the morality clause. Please see the attached - Article six, Section two: Matters of The Law.
You are in violation of subsection three, which states “no person will be eligible for the WWAS who is or has been accused of a violent crime. Proven innocence may be grounds for reinstatement, but may only be applied to the next academic year.”
Please note that due to the bylaws of this institution and therefore its subsidiaries within, this committee is bound and obligated to report any negative findings to the Dean of Admissions. Please see his letter on page two.
Regretfully,
Susan Finch, Director of Student Financial Services
I finish reading the first page and quickly flip to the next. A lump swells in my throat as I begin the second letter.
Dear Mr. Daniels,
It has been brought to my attention by my colleagues in the Student Financial Services department that you are in breach of the morality clause of the aforementioned scholarship. When allegations of this serious nature arebrought to light, we as an institution must review the student in question to determine if their accepted status should be overturned. Seeing as this incident is currently based on hearsay and no legal fact, in lieu of expulsion, we as the governing body of this school have decided to suspend your position as a freshman for the upcoming fall semester, pending the legal decision of the courts.
Please feel free to contact me regarding this matter if it is resolved so we may revisit your status as an incoming freshman for this upcoming semester.
Regards,
Augustus Edwards, Dean of Admissions
My hands tighten around the paper. This is bullshit. Hud doesn’t deserve to have another thing taken from him.
When I look up, Hudson’s knee is bouncing like a jackhammer, his eyes locked on some invisible point on the kitchen wall.
“Hudson, we’ll get this figured out,” Mr. Daniels states, forcing confidence into his tone. “Screw the scholarship. Mom and I will pay your tuition. Once the detective sees the video from the cabin, you’ll be cleared. Your place at AB State will be reinstated before the semester starts.”
