“University of Maryland has a program that allows a few select students to take college level science and math classes for the spring semester. It’s by teacher recommendation only. It’s an opportunity to get a jump start on an already competitive program.”

Nick stared at him, unsure where this was going.

“I’d like to recommend you. But I also need to know you’re focused.”

Reassure him. Say you’re focused. Or thank you. Say thank you.

But he couldn’t say anything. A jump start? He was terrified of the prospect of leaving his brothers to start college next fall, and this guy wanted to accelerate that by nine months.

Dr. Cutter grabbed a cardigan off the back of his desk chair and shivered. “It certainly got chilly in here. Do you have any thoughts?”

Nick grabbed his bag and stood up. “I need to think about it.” He bolted for the door.

“Nick!”

The instinct to obey authority overrode his desire to get the hell out of the classroom. Nick stopped in the doorway, but he didn’t turn all the way around.

“I don’t know what’s going on with you,” said Dr. Cutter, “but make sure it doesn’t damage your chances at a future.”

His voice wasn’t unkind, and Nick swallowed.

Then Dr. Cutter added, “I want to make sure I recommend the right student for this opportunity. Do I make myself clear?”

“Perfectly. Thank you.”

He should have been excited.

He wasn’t.

At lunch, he sat with his brothers and their girlfriends, but Hunter and Quinn didn’t show up. He didn’t care what his roommate was up to, but he did care about Quinn. Nick sent her a quick text.

She responded almost immediately.

I’m getting study help for US History. I’ll see you later. Can you give me a ride to the studio tonight?

The studio. Adam.

He mentally calculated. He was supposed to help Michael on Wednesdays, but they’d be done by seven-ish.

Sure. 7:45?

“What’s eating you?” said Chris.

“Nothing,” said Nick. He set the phone next to his tray and drove his fork into the cafeteria meat loaf.

Becca leaned in against the table. “Is Quinn okay?” she asked quietly. “She’s really upset about the Elemental stuff.”

She hadn’t said anything to Nick, but he knew Quinn didn’t want Becca to know how rough her home life had turned. And maybe she was still smarting from the secrets Becca had kept. Nick didn’t necessarily agree with either course of action, but Quinn wasn’t exactly giving him all the details, either. He nodded. “I’ll talk to her. I’m taking her to dance tonight.”

Gabriel snorted. “Wow, playing chauffeur. Sounds like true love to me.”

His girlfriend Layne hit him. “Leave him alone.”

“Will you tell her I’m worried about her?” said Becca. “I don’t—I didn’t mean to hurt her.”