Page 43 of Cruel Legacy

“The same thing anyone with something valuable would suggest when presented with the opportunity to lose it. Pay a fair compensation to acquire it.”

“And who decides what’s fair?”

“The person in possession of the item.”

He stands, crosses the room, and sets his glass down on the bar cart. He turns back to me with his arms folded across his chest. “Given that model, how do we prevent price gouging?”

“Nobody’s worried about that shit now. So I doubt it was even a thing back then.” He gives me a funny look. “I can see you don’t agree. It’s cool, neither does Dr. Schmidt. So if I flunk this class, at least you know why.”

“You’re flunking?” Aunt Moira asks with a worried look on her face.

“I said if.IfI flunk this class.” The thought makes me sick. I’ve never gotten a failing grade before, but I won’t pretend to agree with something I don’t, just for an A. “Don’t worry, I’ll pay the money back if I do.”

Uncle Scott bypasses theifpart and acts like a failing grade is a done deal. “Why would you risk a poor grade rather than dropping the class?”

Is he serious? “Why would I drop the class and deprive the other students of an alternate viewpoint? That would be selfish of me.”

I brace myself for whatever he’s gonna say next. Aside from asking about my grade, Moira didn’t say anything during our exchange, but she’s on his side. She’s his wife and all. Maybe I should’ve invited LJ as backup. But then again, why subject her to this shit show?

Someone clears their throat behind us and announces dinner is ready. Great. The sooner we sit down to eat, the sooner I can go. If I do the oldmove it around your plate trick, I can pretend to be full, faster and speed up my departure time.

“I enjoyed hearing your viewpoint, Thea. It was a well though out argument.” Scott says, breaking to the silence.

“You did?”

He settles into his seat before he answers. “Yes. Healthy debate is good. And I agree people should be free to express their views even if they’re in disagreement.”

“You don’t care if my views cause me to get a failing grade?”

“We want you to do your best, and I’m sure you’ll pass, as long as you’re answering the questions on the test according to the source material in your textbook or lecture notes.”

I dig into my plate as soon as it’s placed in front of me. We eat in silence for a few minutes and then it’s back to making small talk. Moira’s fixated on this friend thing. “You didn’t answer earlier, Thea. When I asked about friends.”

I humor her, divulging a little bit about LJ. “I have one person I guess you’d call a friend. And I’m friendly with people in my classes, but I’m not planning any vacation trips or shopping sprees with anyone just yet, if that’s what you mean.”

“What about the dorm? I heard they upgraded the lounge area. Are they still doing the dorm movie night on Thursdays? Or the floor wars?” She chuckles. “I remember that used to be a big thing.”

My aunt seems to know more about Vale Tower than I do. “I don’t spend time in the lounge or on the other floors. If there’s some kind of dorm competition, my neighbors are definitely participating in it without me. Maybe I should knock on their doors and invite myself along next time.” I scoff at my own suggestion. “Actually, they’d probably just announce they won without even competing.”

“Your neighbors… so you’ve met them?”

“Sure have.” I look at my watch. “I’m sorry I’ve gotta go.”

“You’re leaving. Already?”

I ignore the sound of sadness in her voice. I came. I ate. What else did they expect? “Dinner was great, but I promised LJ I’d meet her at The Circle for one of those sorority mixers or whatever.”

I could be imaging things, but I think they both look uncomfortable at the idea. Me too, folks. Me too.

“Look, I know it’s not my style, but I guess the only way you can get an invitation to pledge one of these silly little clubs is if you put your face out there. Right now, LJ’s face is hidden, and some of that might be because of her association with me. I figure I owe her one. She didn’t ask to be caught up in my conflict with the Coxsuckers.”

Moira and Scott share a look. “Coxsuckers?” Her lips move like she’s having a bit of trouble saying the word. She’ll need to get used to me cussing if she insists on me coming around.

“My neighbors with the idiotic club name. The triumphant-whatevers.”

“The Triumvirates?”

I snap my fingers. “That’s them.”

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