"Brook, I've made a decision." She stands up straighter, her head held high.
"Let me guess, you're marrying the rich guy?"
"No! Of course not. We just started dating."
"Then what is it?"
"You're going back to Haverhill. I know it isn't what you want but it's what's best for you. You start on Monday. We don't have the house yet so I'll be driving you and picking you up."
"Yeah, I don't think so," I say with a laugh.
"Brook, I'm serious. Your father and I talked and decided you're going there whether you like it or not. I'll see you when I get home."
She walks off. I hear the door open and close as she leaves.
I stand in my room, the sweatshirt I had in my hand falling to the floor.
What just happened? Are my parents really doing this? Forcing me to go to Haverhill?
I can't go back there. I can't leave Dean, and Jake, and all my friends. They've become like family to me.
My mom promised me she'd let me make this decision, but that was before her new boyfriend lured her back to our old life. Now all she cares about is being rich again.
Another broken promise. And there's no way I'll be able to change her mind.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Brook
Friday night I sat with Dean at the football game but didn't tell him I was leaving. He was having a good time and I didn't want to ruin it. Everyone came up to talk to him, even people he didn't know. Dean doesn't like a lot of attention but he was smiling so I think he was okay with it.
During halftime Dean was called down to the field and his coach presented him with a check for fifteen thousand dollars. He was shocked. Jake was too. Jake got all excited, thinking they were rich, until I explained the money would be used to pay medical bills. I'm sure it's not enough but it's a start. Most of the money came from local businesses since most of the people who go here couldn't afford to donate much.
This morning I went to Dean's house and told him about the move. We're trying to get as much time as we can together before I have to leave. He's more hopeful than I am. He keeps telling me it's only for a few months and that we'll still see each other but he doesn't realize how much a school like Haverhill consumes your life.
I start at Haverhill on Monday but the move isn't for another week, giving us time to pack. The house my dad rented is a smaller version of our old one and just a few blocks away from it. My mom's thrilled we'll be so close to our old neighborhood where all her friends live. Breaking our lease at the apartment means a penalty of a few thousand dollars but my dad's willing to pay it. He's determined to get me away from Dean. Chad told my dad all these horrible things about Dean, things that aren't even true, so my dad would take immediate action to get me out of here.
My phone rings. It's Eve. I told her about the move last night on the way to the game. She was sad, but said we'll still see each other. But I don't know how that'll happen when she works every weekend.
"Hey," I answer, sounding like the world's about to end, because that's what it feels like. For the first time in my life I know what it feels like to be happy, and now I have to go back to pretending.
"You still at Dean's?" Eve asks.
"No. He took a pain pill that made him really tired so I came home so he could rest."
"I'm surprised you didn't stay there. I didn't think you'd leave his side until you had to go."
"I wanted to stay but I have all this stuff I need to do before Monday. I already have homework for Haverhill. Can you believe that?"
"That's insane. Glad I'm not going there."
"I'm dreading it. I'll go from an hour of studying a day to five or six."
"Seriously? You really have to study that much?"
"It's not just studying. It's the assignments. They give out so much homework it's almost impossible to get it done. I won't be sleeping much. Or seeing my boyfriend. Dean keeps telling me we'll still see each other but he doesn't understand how little time I'll have. My weekends will be spent catching up on all the homework I didn't get done during the week."
"You guys can talk on the phone. You can have sexy late night phone dates after you're done studying."
