And certainly not courage. No, money doesn’t buy courage. In fact, if I’ve learned anything since the scandal, it’s that the opposite is true.

Money makes you weak because it tricks you into thinking you’re strong.

“I wish it worked like that, Isla,” Hudson says. “I really, really do.”

CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR

Then

I need a breath mint. Levi texted, Be there in five, and I’m pretty sure this is it, the moment I’ve been hoping for all year—Levi Haas is going to ask me to the prom. Of course I had red onions on my salad at lunch, even though I told the guy explicitly please no red onions, and I don’t have time to run upstairs to the bathroom to brush my teeth again. I can’t risk Isla opening the door and ruining whatever Levi has planned.

I’m nervous, which is silly. He’s the one doing the asking. I only have to smile and say yes. It’s not like I expect some elaborate promposal, because that isn’t really a big thing at Wood Valley. Still, this is another milestone reached, which seems to be happening almost daily. First getting into college, now prom, next graduation.

Check, check, check.

Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye.

I’ve already picked out an array of dresses for the dance, and I make a mental note to buy a new makeup palette to test before the big night. Maybe I’ll try teal eyelids. I can be brave for once.

“Dad, help!” I yell, sprinting to his office, since I know he usually keeps Altoids in there for emergencies. “I can’t get asked to the prom with onion breath.” I simultaneously brush my hair with one hand and put on lip gloss with the other, a brilliant effort at multitasking. I need to be prepared. I bet we’ll take an after-ask selfie, and Levi will post it on Instagram with a cute caption like She said yes.