Eva kept Carly behind once she’d wrapped up.
“Did you enjoy that?” Eva said, though she already knew the answer—there was a spark in Carly’s eyes she hadn’t seen since her biology classes last year.
“Yeah.”
“So, tell me, then—what’s going on in your chemistry class?”
Carly’s face darkened. “What do you mean?”
“Don’t play dumb with me.” Eva leaned back in her desk chair, her gaze trained on Carly’s face. “Teachers talk sometimes. I know you’re struggling. What I don’t know is why.” Carly had always seemed herself in homeroom, but Eva knew that didn’t mean everything was fine. She was no stranger to putting on a brave face to fool everyone else into thinking you were okay. “Talk to me. Is it something at home? Something in school? An issue with Miss Cross in particular?”
Carly stayed silent, and Eva sighed. No matter—Carly might be stubborn, but so was Eva. She could wait her out.
Eventually, an answer came.
“It’s not Miss Cross. She’s…way too peppy and tries too hard, but she’s not a bad teacher.”
Eva’s lips twitched at the description of Lily.
“And everything’s fine at home. My mom’s boyfriend is still around, but he’s growing on me. There’s still time for him to pack up and leave like all the others do”—vulnerability flashed across Carly’s face—“but there’s nothing wrong.”
“What is it, then?” Eva didn’t believe for a second Carly would stop trying for no reason.
“I just…I don’t get it.” Carly ran a frustrated hand through her hair. “Biology was easy—and it was interesting—but chemistry is—it’s boring and it’s complicated and I feel like if I zone out for even one second than I’m completely lost. Sometimes it’s like Miss Cross is speaking a foreign language, and I know she’d help me if I asked but it’s been so long that it almost feels like it’s too late.” The words came out quickly, like they’d been building for a while. “And then what if she does spend time helping me and I still can’t do it? What if I don’t ever get it? At least if I don’t try—”
“Then if you fail it’s not because your best isn’t good enough.” Eva watched Carly’s cheeks flush, shoulders sinking as she hunched in on herself, and sighed. “Do you still want to be a veterinarian?”
Carly’s lip trembled. “Yeah, but I know I’m not good enough.”
“Don’t ever say something like that again,” Eva said, voice so sharp Carly’s head snapped up. “You are good enough. No matter what. And if you’re willing to try, I know Miss Cross will help you get the chemistry grade you need. I know you’re worried, but believe me when I say she won’t give up on you.” Eva might not have the highest opinion of Lily as a person, but she’d proven to be annoyingly determined when it came to trying to get Eva to like her. Eva saw no reason why she wouldn’t apply that same determination to Carly’s education. Lily hadn’t had to come to Eva about Carly, after all. She could’ve let Carly flounder, flunk out of her class, but instead Lily had swallowed her pride and asked Eva for help.
Eva had a new-found respect for the woman.
“Okay.” Carly fiddled with the strap of the bag on her shoulder, jaw set. “I’ll go and talk to her.”
“Do you want me to come with you?”
“No, it’s okay. I should do this on my own.” Carly slouched toward the door, and Eva watched her go, hoping she’d helped.
Eva’s phone buzzed, drawing her attention. A message from Molly awaited her.
What’s your favorite season?
Eva wondered if Molly had a list of questions stashed away somewhere. She seemed to have a new one each day. Yesterday had been about Eva’s favorite book, the day before that her best vacation spot, before that, her earliest childhood memory.
Each time, she’d answered honestly. It was unlike Eva to offer up parts of herself—any part, no matter how innocuous—willingly, feeding Molly tidbits about her life. But then, maybe it wasn’t so surprising. Since moving, her mother was the only person Eva had to talk to. It was nice to have someone else, much as Eva liked to insist she was fine on her own. It was easier for her to open up, too, when she was talking to a phone screen.
Winter, Eva typed, without thinking, and the dots appeared straight away. Realizing her mistake, she was quick to write a follow-up.Don’t you dare make another Frozen joke.
The dots disappeared, then re-appeared.
You know me so well.
Eva felt a flutter of something in her chest. Did she? Certainly, Molly knew Eva better than most of the people around her, but that wasn’t difficult. It was strange to think the same might be true in reverse. Did Molly have a hard time trusting, too?
Eva could ask, but that strayed into territory they’d yet to touch upon. Their conversations were light-hearted, fun, steering well clear of anything remotely serious. Which was part of the appeal, Eva supposed. This way, it was less real.
What’s yours?
