22
Suspicious Shininess
I was waiting for Scott when he arrived Wednesday to take care of the yard. From my swing, I watched as he rode past on the mower.
When everything was done, he returned from putting away his equipment with two bottles of water. We swayed silently on the swing while he polished his off.
He batted the empty bottle against his leg. “Do you have something to tell me?”
There was an edge to his tone that raised my hackles. “Nothing comes to mind.”
“I’ve been talking to Kimberley.”
“Do you think you could’ve led with that?” This felt like an ambush. No, it was more than that. A betrayal. “Since when have you been swapping stories with Kimberley?”
“Since her mom and my dad have left on a vacation together. I’m watching out for her.”
My attitude deflated a little. “She told you about our disagreement on Monday.”
“I think a better word would be altercation.”
“Whoa. Big word.” Uh. Had I really just said that?
“Nice, Sara. Is this your week to attack everyone you know?” He jumped to his feet and started across the yard.
“Scott, wait.”
He stopped, his back to me.
I drew even with him. “I have a side to this story.”
“I’m listening.”
“Piedmont put me on academic probation.”
He glanced at me. “Before you’ve even arrived? Why?”
“It’s complicated, and I deserved it.”
“So you won’t get to be a normal freshman.”
Hearing him say it made me unexpectedly emotional. “No.”
“Can you do anything about it?”
“I’m sorting through the options, but I’ve decided that I won’t go to Piedmont.”
“How long have you known?”
“Since Friday.”
He looked away. “You could’ve told Kimberley and Lacey.”
“I didn’t want to rain on Lacey’s parade.”
“You managed to do that, anyway.”
I planted myself directly in front of him, so close that he had no choice but to look me in the face. “Thanks for being so supportive. This is hard and embarrassing, and I don’t know how to handle it.”
