“It’s what I had from when I got my driver’s license. Oh wait.” A memory starts to resurface in my head. “There was something with my number back then. Dad told me that I had to get a new number, which is why I had to wait a month to take my test.” That must be it. But why the new number doesn’t work now still doesn’t make sense.

“You mean you had to get a new card, not number.”

I shake my head. “I’m pretty sure I had to get a new number.”

Ms. Pieper looks blankly at me. I can’t read what she’s thinking, which makes me feel worse.

“Isn’t that what happens when you lose your social security number?” I ask, because frankly I have no clue how it all works. I’ve only needed that number to get a driver’s license and apply to college. Dad always handles that stuff.

After a few uncomfortable seconds, Ms. Pieper stands up. “Well, I’m sure this is nothing. There has to be an explanation. I’ll call up admissions offices at the campuses and figure it out.”

I bite my lip. “Because I’m not sure if this means I have to start over. Or if I can continue to apply for scholarships if I don’t know where I’ll even be going.”

She gives me that smile that she reserves for the most troubled students. “Allison, this is my job. You shouldn’t be stressing over it. Why don’t you take a few days off from college and scholarships while I figure this out?”

It was the same thing Dad said to me yesterday: take a break.

He was right. Ms. Pieper is right. I’m becoming unraveled. For the next week, I’ll be mellow and chill. All the other things can wait.

“Sounds good?” she asks.

I stand up and nod. “It sounds great.”

Chapter Seven

Chapter

SEVEN

Since my meeting with Ms. Pieper yesterday, I’ve been walking around with a considerable weight off my shoulders. I’m going to enjoy the next few days of not having to worry about anything but my homework. And, well, the whole Neil situation.

But I’m slowing my roll when it comes to college. There’s a part of me that hopes it’ll take her even longer to straighten everything out. I didn’t realize how much I needed a break until I was given permission to take one.

Even last night with my dad (and some chicken with broccoli and an old black-and-white movie) was relaxing. He and I are back to normal. Instead of fretting over every little thing, I’m going to appreciate all that I have.

Which is a lot.

We’ll see how long this mellow version of me lasts.

“Morning,” Neil greets me as I step outside my house to go to school.