“TY is a piss-take, I won’t argue that. But school, Alex…just because your friends aren’t going—”

“You know that it’s not Con’s fault TY is shit! Even if we weren’t friends I—”

“I never mentioned anyone’s names. I’m just saying that yeah, maybe TY isn’t like the other years, but you still need to keep on top. You know I’m not giving out to you here, alright? I’m not gonna start cracking the whip and making you study or telling you who to hang out with and when and where. You’re a good kid. You’ve always done well. I just…I just want you to keep your head up, alright? You know I don’t expect all A’s or anything like that. You’re allowed have fun. Just don’t be getting in so much trouble all the damn time.” Claire peered at me closely. “Just remember that you need to keep on top, you know—if you change your mind about college.”

“I thought we already established I wouldn’t be going to college.”

“I know. If that’s what you decide you want. I’m just saying, you could decide later that you do. Keep an open mind, kid.”

“I’ve only ever wanted to go to London. I’m hardly gonna change my mind now.”

“Jesus, Alex, I know! You’re a stubborn git when you want to be. All I’m saying is that your grades might matter at some point, okay? You don’t want them to start slipping.”

I knew it wouldn’t be fair of me to try and rebuke her advice when it was entirely reasonable. I had slipped, and that was obvious. Ever since Connie had made her mark on my life, I was a completely different student—still smart, still bright, but not nearly as dedicated and hard-working as the version of myself that had existed before. What interest had I in teachers and lectures and theories and notes when Connie O’Reilly demanded my attention? What use was there in studying and striving for top marks when a brand-new world had opened up to me—one that was exhilarating and wild? I would never become a bad student, and of that I was certain. Any result that wasn’t an Honors grade left me reeling even if I hadn’t so much as opened the book for it. But I had eased off, slacked off, and there was no denying that. Not even to myself.

“Hey. You did great in your Midterms, didn’t you?”

“Well, yeah. Of course I did. We both know I wouldn’t be sitting here if I didn’t, I’d be somewhere else crying.”

“I trust you, kid. Just keep your head up.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

I stood up and stretched my clenched muscles. Claire raised an eyebrow.

“Heading out?”

“Yeah.”

“Where to?”

As if she didn’t already know. “Con’s.”

She sighed and looked away, barely even reacting when I bid her a quick farewell, knowing that I probably wouldn’t see her until the same time the next day. I set about cycling toward the O’Reilly’s and it was Connie’s sister Emily who opened the door. She was older than us by a year, almost identical to Connie in every way. She was tall and gracious, effortlessly beautiful; as ruthless as Connie was, but far more cunning, manipulative, bitchy.