“I have the money. I just don’t have access to it yet. My uncle said he’s giving me a spending account with a debit card. I didn’t plan on using it but I kind of have to if I want a phone. I need to get a job so I can make my own money.”
“Why get a job if your uncle’s giving you money?”
“I don’t like taking money from him. Then I’ll feel like I owe him.”
“If he lives in my neighborhood, believe me, he’s got more money than he’ll ever spend.”
“I know but I don’t feel right spending his money. I’d rather have my own.”
“Just take it. There aren’t many jobs around here and the jobs you’d get wouldn’t pay much.” He’s already finished with his burrito, and I’ve only had two bites. “So who’s your uncle? I don’t know the neighbors that well, but I might know him.”
“You probably do. He’s an actor. Brock Halliway.”
Jackson smiles and nods. “The Halliways.”
“You know them?”
He laughs to himself. “Yeah.”
“Why is that funny?”
He takes a drink of his water. “You almost done?”
“You’re really bad at answering questions.”
“Let me guess,” he says, leaning back in the booth. “Twisted Pine? That’s where you’re going?”
“Yeah. Why?”
“You definitely won’t have time for a job. They give out a shitload of homework, and they expect you to do extracurriculars.”
“I’m not joining clubs, if that’s what you mean.”
“You do any sports?”
“I suck at sports.”
“What about cheerleading?”
“Me? A cheerleader? I couldn’t even stay up when a wave hit me. Put me on top of a pyramid, I’d die.”
“They’re not gymnasts. They just dance around.”
“How do you know all this?”
“I live here. It’s not a big town. Not a lot of schools.”
“Wait.” I sit back, eyeing him. “You go there, don’t you? You have to. You’re rich.”
“I don’t go there.”
“You don’t? You go to public?”
“Legion High.” He gets up from the table. “Let’s go. I like the burritos but the atmosphere sucks.”
It does. The place is small with just a few places to sit.
“Where are we going?” I ask as he drives out of the parking lot.
