“But you said we were going to your house—” I start.
“Well, I lied. Sorry,” he interrupts, leaning back now. “Can we just move on? Decide what the hell we’re doing next.”
I sigh. “After you left, I was thinking of how to take Niveus down, but after speaking to Belle, I realize they’re too powerful for us to do this alone,” I say.
“Who’s Belle?” Terrell asks.
I really hate Devon for not consulting me on involving a complete stranger.
“She’s a girl I know from school, she was in on it too… When I confronted her, she told me a bunch of things about how her family is involved, and this—Aces—is a tradition they call social eugenics. Some of the kids from our school, legacy kids, the ones with family that have old money and old power, they all go to this camp. It’s where they plan to ruin our futures, and from what she told me… Niveus isn’t the only school that does this.”
Terrell’s eyes are wide. “Eugenics?” he asks.
I nod.
“Whoa,” he says.
Whoa indeed.
“Need me to fill you in on anything else before I go on?” I ask, hoping I don’t sound too sarcastic. He’s trying to help, I guess.
“So, from what I’ve gathered and what Devon’s told me, your school accepts two Black students every ten years, then the immortal Aces target them in their final year, spreading rumors, secrets, and lies they’ve collected… until those Black students drop out. No college prospects, mentally traumatized, with their chances of achieving everything Caucasian-ville promised them crushed,” Terrell says.
So he does know everything.
“Yeah… that’s pretty much what we think is going on. Which is why I think this is something that can’t be fixed without outside help. So, I propose we go to the local news, tell them what we know, and offer an exposé on Niveus Academy. What do you think, Devon?” I ask him.
I think my plan is brilliant.
“I think your plan is stupid,” Devon says. “How can we trust anyone but ourselves after this? This whole experience has taught me that we only have each other in this fight.”
“How do you propose we go about taking them down, then? Since you want to be cynical and irrational.”
I fold my arms, waiting to hear something better. He doesn’t say anything. I smile triumphantly.
“Exactly. This is a good plan. You just need to trust me. I didn’t get voted Head Prefect for no reason,” I say.
“You got voted because you kiss teachers’ asses—and I’m not irrational,” Devon mutters.
“Oh? Says the boy who dated Scotty, literally the worst person anyone couldchooseto date, and a drug dealer!”
“You dated Scotty too, and you shouldn’t talk about things you don’t understand,” Devon says, raising his voice.
“Who’s Scotty?” Terrell asks.
I rub my temples. “You know what, we haven’t got time to argue about this. You either trust me or you don’t. I’ll go to the journalist on my own if I have to. It’s not only a good idea, it’s ouronlyoption. Terrell, tell him it’s a good idea.”
Terrell looks between me and Devon, then nods. “She’s got a point, Von. It is your only option… and the idea doesn’t entirely suck…”
I smile. “So, are you in or are you going to continue throwing a tantrum?” I ask.
Devon wipes his eyes. “Whatever.”
I feel a little bad that he’s visibly upset, but we haven’t got time for paranoia. We need to take Aces down before they hit back harder.
“I have the number for Central News 1 andUS This Morning. I’ll try Central News 1 first… see what they say,” I tell him, taking my phone out to call.
I dial the number before looking up at the two of them. “Any objections? If so, speak now or forever hold your peace.”
