It made sense: they all agreed with that. There just wasn’t time for them to do everything. Evelyn’s auditions would pop up out of nowhere, clashing with her classes, and they needed to make time for babysitting and waitressing or they’d have no money. Study was always pushed to the bottom of the list. Alex had studied several of Nicole’s subjects the previous year, Evelyn the others, and vice versa. It was easy to rework old essays and assignments.

It’s smart, Nicole had insisted when it first came up. We’re using our initiative. This way we all play to our strengths. And there has to be a benefit to us all looking so similar—we’re like sisters. She’d grinned at Alex, holding her hand up. And Evelyn’s a weapon when it comes to essays. We all win.

Alex had high-fived her back, but her stomach had rolled. And when she’d showed Nicole’s ID at the exam entrance, trying to look as nonchalant as possible, she’d thought she might pass out.

It wasn’t supposed to be all the time. They still went to tutorials, the occasional lecture. But it took the pressure off, and Nicole was right, it was smart. For the past twelve months they’d all averaged distinctions. They’d worked more and finally earned some decent cash. And it was never as bad as that first time. It got easier.

There was tension, though. The loose rules they had all agreed to slipped a little. Evelyn started complaining that she was doing more than her fair share. They got sloppy. The essay that Alex and Nicole handed in for their psychology class was too similar, with short sections copied and pasted. They’d argued about it, but there hadn’t been time to change it.

Alex wrinkles her nose. The professor’s office smells of body odour, damp boots and old coffee. Someone should open a window.

A few weeks ago, Alex was in her bedroom, and Nicole was in the backyard smoking a cigarette while talking on her phone. Alex overheard her mention a deadline and that she could pay two hundred dollars. She’d gone outside the group, and now they’re here, probably about to get expelled. Blacklisted from every university in the country. Everything Alex has ever worked for is about to go up in smoke.

‘Nice try,’ the professor says eventually. ‘But I’m well aware this isn’t the first time, Ms Horrowitz. I have proof.’

Nicole’s eyes narrow momentarily before widening in protest. She opens her mouth, but he holds up his hand.

‘I understand how challenging it is when you come into financial hardship.’ He takes off his glasses to rub at his eyes. ‘How it can lead to poor decisions.’ Returns the glasses to the bridge of his nose. ‘Decisions that have long-term implications.’