The lopsided cupcake is slumped on a chipped saucer in the middle of the table. The baked goods are terrible here, yes, but that’s not the point. They got me a victory cupcake. I look up again when Nevaeh calls my name, like she’s been trying to get my attention for a while.

“Maybe you should look a little less emo in your celebration photo,” she says, aiming her phone at me. I cover my face, and she laughs. “I know, I know, you hate the paparazzi. Just give me a thumbs-up, you beautiful winner.”

That catches me completely off guard.

They’re so happy for me. I don’t want to change that, and I don’t want to say the words out loud to them: I didn’t get the scholarship. I can’t afford to go.

I don’t remember the last time I cried, but now I’m crying. My shoulders shake and I gasp a little bit, and I hear Nev’s phone clatter to the table, and Katherine’s arms are around my waist and Nevaeh’s around my shoulders, and Taylor is half out of his seat and across the table, patting my hand and murmuring soothingly at me.

I rub my eyes with the heels of my hands. “I’m sorry! I’m so sorry. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I never do this; you know I never do this.”

Taylor presses my hand in a calloused palm. “You’re totally overwhelmed.”

“It’s huge news,” Nevaeh says on one side of me.

“Of course it’s emotional,” Katherine says, nodding at Nevaeh. “It’s wonderful.”

I can’t take it.

“I didn’t get the scholarship,” I say. There’s a long silence. They’re frowning at one another, like they’re trying to puzzle it out among them. “I got into the program,” I say, and then my breath hitches. I breathe in through my nose. “But I didn’t get the scholarship. So I can’t afford to go. Unless I can magic up six thousand dollars.”

“Your mom—” Katherine starts to say, but I cut her off.

“You know she—there’s no money.” I sit up straight, trying to get myself back together. I catch myself and swallow. “I mean, if I don’t figure out how to make money. Obviously I’ll figure it out.”

“But how?” Taylor says abruptly. He’s mad.

“Taylor,” Katherine warns.

“Am I wrong?” Taylor says. “It’s ridiculous.”

“Taylor,” Nevaeh says.