Page 10 of SNOB

“You’re really good,” she says slowly like she’s calculating something. “You know, you can absolutely get into Saint Bons with your skills.”

“I’ll need more than some shitty drawings to get into a school like that.”

“They're not shitty.” She looks into my eyes, her words firm. “My dad happens to be on the board. I say one word about you and how you helped me today and he’ll be happy to get you in. Besides, few people I know need that art scholarship and you definitely do.”

“I’d never set foot in Saint Bons.” A waiter with a tray of wine goes behind me and I grab one. Just the idea of going to SBU makes my skin crawl. My mind shifts to Uncle Jake on the sofa of our shitty home. “I need a job. Something that pays well.”

“Did you miss the part where I said scholarship?” I wish The Bob would use some of this sass on Hannah. “Money won’t be an issue and the graduates from Saint Bons get the most prestigious offers. Not only will you get a free ride, but doors will open for you and they’ll open wide.”

“You’re really selling the place, but I don’t belong here. Students will know that.” Everyone will.

“Considering how you stood up to Hannah, that won’t be a problem.” She puts her pen to her mouth, in thought. “That’s if she doesn’t run her mouth to the reigning Crowns of the school, but you can handle it.”

“The Crowns?”

“It wouldn’t be Paradise Hill without them. Malcolm, Gray and Ry. They’re beautiful…” She trails off, her pen swirling around a couple strands of her hair. “And brutal, especially to newcomers. But that’s beyond you, isn’t it?”

“Nothing about The Hill scares me,” I scoff.

“Don’t fuck with them.” Her demeanour shifts, a look on her face like she saw a monster. “I know you’re from The Valley, but stay clear.” She leans in like she’s making a business deal. She might not be as bad as Hannah but she still has The Hill in her blood. “Along with the Paradise Posse, the Crowns run the university, and The Hill.” It’s hard not to snort and that makes Greta laugh too. She rolls her eyes, playing into it. “It’s all silly but that’s the way things are here. You’ll see.”

“And you think I’ll fit into all that?”

“Only one way to find out. Say the word, and I’ll let Daddy know.” She leans into the word as if she knows this world is bullshit.

“What’s in it for you?”

“You helped me. I was born here and no one has ever done what you just did. I’m only paying it back. You know we like to pay it back.” She winks as if she’s in on her joke.

The elite only give back when it benefits them and something tells me there’s a benefit for her too. I don’t say anything, leaning into the silence.

“And okay, it’ll be worth it to see Hannah humiliated a couple more times before I graduate.” That makes me chuckle and The Bob smiles. “ I need to keep my head down and get through classes, but Hannah makes it really hard. But, what do you say? You’ll have to do the work and I can’t help you if you don’t go to class or exams. I can only get you in. Once you’re in SBU, getting a job like this will be laughable. Plus, they have to hire students.”

Don’t miss an opportunity.

Jake’s voice rings in my head. The coherent, sober Jake. And Dad? He’d call me insane for passing up a free ride to a prestigious school. All because I helped someone.

My finger taps against the locket around my neck before a laugh escapes me. “Fuck it. Let’s do this.” Shaking my head, I reach out a hand, solidifying my decision. “I didn’t get your name.”

“Greta.” She smiles, her thin lips reaching her eyes as she takes my hand. “Fukushima.”

I choke on my spit hearing that last name.

“As in Hiroshi Fukushima?” I confirm. “The guy who made the PlayBox?"

“Guilty,” she winces as if that last name comes with pain. “So, you ready for this?”

I smile at the way my day’s turned around. A new friend. A new opportunity. What could go wrong? “I’m always ready.”

FOUR

MAC

“Welcome back, McKinsley.” Gray hangs the bottle of Macallan over the glass rail, platinum rings shining under the moon. Both match his hair. “Finally. The Crowned back together.”

“Mac McKinsley at your service.” I raise my glass to the moon and it’s about as high as I am, blurring the longer I stare. “For one night only.” Taking a sip from the crystal glass, spicy notes settle on my tongue as I stare at the lights below. A spotlight shines in the distance from one of Father’s newest hot spots.

“Good luck with Coach tomorrow.” Ryung stands on my other side, hiding his stupid sly smile in his black wine glass but I see it. I also don’t miss the fucker’s usual condescending tone. His phone sits in his other hand, a video of a woman getting railed in a brutal way from behind playing on it. The Red Light. It’s a site making its way around campus. It’s known for featuring the filthiest women and the things they do.

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