“The psychiatrist at the local asylum probably thinks so.”
“Wait, we have a local asylum?”
I steeple my fingers, marveling at how Havoc can spend more than ten minutes with my sister without wanting to jump out a window.
“Havoc said you wanted to see me?”
“I did? Oh, right, I did. You know that school you were looking at?”
“The one with the red and grey uniforms?”
“No, the other one.”
“The one with the donkey mascot?”
“No, the other one. And who has a donkey for a mascot? That’s just weird.”
“Not sure why a bunch of first graders need a mascot, full stop. But what do I know?”
“Not much, apparently.”
I kick her in the shins, making her scowl. “You’re mean.”
“And you’re annoying. Which school are you talking about, Nevaeh?”
“The fancy one for kids like Star.”
“Do you mean the private one where I would have to sell a kidney and my spleen on the black market to afford a space?”
“Yes. That one. They have classes for gifted and talented students, right? And for those who need a little extra assistance?”
“I think that they have a class for pretty much everything, which isn’t surprising given how much that place costs.”
“Yeah, about that?—”
“Neveah…”
“Look,” she takes my hands in hers and squeezes them. “This is the one. I saw what you and Star were like after you visited the place. None of the others elicited any kind of reaction unless it was in the negative.”
“It’s too expensive. I can’t afford it.”
“But I can. And before you interrupt me again, I want to do this. I missed out on all of Star’s birthdays and Christmases and over a decade of yours. I’m in a fortunate position to be able to do this, one where neither of us will have to sell our organs. Please let me do this for Star.”
I blow out a wobbly breath, not sure what to say. Pride makes me want to refuse. It’s not her job to take care of me or Star, but will I really sacrifice Star’s happiness so I can feel better about myself? No. There isn’t much I won’t do for that little girl.
I feel my face flush as I nod, looking away. “Thanks, Nevaeh.”
“No, don’t do that. You have nothing to feel bad about here. Besides, can you honestly tell me that if the roles were reversed, that you wouldn’t do the same?”
Dammit, she’s got me there. “Alright, point taken. She needs this. And this place, it was amazing, Nevaeh.”
“And after everything she’s been through, she deserves the best.”
“Yeah, she does.” I smile, pulling my hands free and leaning back.
“What about you? Once we get Star sorted, what do you want to do?”
I shrug. “Ambros is teaching me how to fight.”
