Ever After (East Raven Academy Book 1)(22)

I look up at her. “Yeah. Why?”

“I’m Ms. Crawford,” she says. “I’m the councilor at East Raven. I’d like to set up a time to meet with you.”

“Umm... why?”

“To discuss your future,” she says. “Also, the dean and your uncle thought it would be beneficial.”

Uh.

No.

Just, no.

“Are you free today after school?” she asks, touching her screen.

“Nope. I’m trying out for soccer,” I answer.

“What about tomorrow?”

“It depends on if I make the team. We practice Monday through Thursday,” I say.

“Right,” she says, pursing her lips. “Then Friday it is. Four o’clock. Don’t be late.”

She turns on her heel and walks off.

Just great.

“We all have to go talk to the councilor,” Estaine tells me. “They want us all to go to an ivy league after we graduate, because it looks good on the school if we do.”

“Oh, I already know I’m going to Berkeley,” I say. “It’s where my parents met.”

And the truth just slips out before I can stop it.

Ah, why?

Well, at least this isn’t a huge secret. I mean, even though my parents are supposed to be dead, I would still know where they went to school.

“My parents went to Yale,” Estaine says.

“I’ll probably go to Harvard,” Ian says. “My dad went there.”

“I think I’m with Phoenix on this one. Berkeley sounds awesome,” Teagan says. “I’d rather go to school on the West Coast than the East Coast. It’s too cold up here.”

“You’re from Texas. You think anything below fifty is cold,” Jason says.

“Because anything below fifty is cold,” Teagan says.

“I agree with Teagan,” I say. “But I don’t think I’d survive the Texas humidity. We don’t have humidity in Malibu.”

“I should move to Malibu,” Emma says. “Can you imagine having a good hair day, every day?”

“Like you have to worry about frizz anyway,” Teagan says.

Emma does have good hair.

“Do we really have you listen to you guys talk about hair?” Jason asks. “Really. California has more to offer than just good weather.”

“Oh, yeah? And what’s that?” Teagan asks.

“Girls. Lots and lots of hot girls,” Jason answers.

Ian and Bryce both high five him, but Emma, Teagan and I all roll our eyes. Do guys ever think about anything other than girls?

I watch as Jason shoves half a taco into his mouth.

Well, I suppose that girls and food are all guys think about.

So gross.

“I can’t believe we have to put up with them,” Teagan says.

“Me, either,” I say.

“Hey, what about me?” Estaine asks.

“You’re the only guy at this table who isn’t a complete pig,” Teagan says.

I nod my head in agreement. “She’s right.”

“Thanks,” Estaine says, then looks at me. “Aren’t soccer tryouts this afternoon?”

“Yep,” I answer. “I’m excited.”

“I want to come watch you tryout. I’ll cheer you on,” he says.

“Me, too,” Emma says. “Soccer tryouts happen right after dance team tryouts, so I’ll just walk over afterwards.”

“Awesome. Thanks guys,” I say.

It feels good to have friends.

Now, I just hope I really don’t suck.





6pm.





A huge mistake.





Soccer tryouts are over, but I won’t know if I made the team until tomorrow. Though, Teagan assures me that I most definitely made the team. And I think she’s right. I did awesome.

Teagan was going to somebody’s dorm to hang out until dinner, so I decided to use my free time to video chat with Brooks. I can’t believe we’re both actually free. I also can’t believe how nervous I am when I hear my computer start ringing.

“Hello,” I answer. His screen is black as I wait for the video feed to come through.

“Phoenix, hey,” Brooks says, as his video shows up. Even on a pixelated screen, he’s still gorgeous. “How were soccer tryouts?”

“Good,” I answer. “I mean, I was completely awesome. Teagan assured me that I made the team.”

“She’s the captain, right?” he asks.

“Yeah. And my roommate,” I answer. “Really, she’s my best friend at East Raven. Well, her and Estaine.”

“Estaine Rinaldi?”

“Yeah.” I remember the negative reaction I got from Estaine when I told him I had talked to Brooks. “You know him?”

“Yeah,” Brooks says, not at all sounding thrilled. “He and I don’t exactly get along.”

“Why?” I ask, then realize I probably sound rude. I backtrack, trying not to sound nosey. Even though, I kind of am. “I just mean... Estaine seems to get along with everybody.” Which is true. “He’s one of the nicest guys here.”