Page 25 of Something that Could Last

“Engineering? Impressive,” Tiff replies, giving Abby a hopeful look. “I’ve heard engineering programs are really tough.”

“It’s definitely a challenge. You have to be dedicated, but it’ll be worth it.”

“What will you do once you graduate?” Abby asks.

“I have no idea,” I reply honestly before taking another drink from my bottle. “I’ll probably end up working for an engineering firm for a few years to get some experience. Then I can pursue something I actually care about.” I leave it at that, not wanting to sound like a PSA from UNICEF.

“Whatdoyou care about?” Tiff presses, her eyes flicking to Abby briefly.

“Jacob here thinks he’s going to save the world with clean water,” Luke goads me. He doesn’t see the point in actuallyparticipatingin humanitarian efforts, just donating money to others who are willing to do the “dirty work.”

Abby and Tiff look at me inquisitively, confusion etched on their faces.

“There are a lot of people in this world who don’t have access to clean drinking water or proper sanitation,” I explain. “A few organizations are making great strides to change that, and I want to be part of it.”

“That's very noble. I doubt many people think much about that.”

Abby thinks I'm noble. I'll be damned if that doesn't make me want to slay dragons and become her knight in shining armor.

I nod my head. “Most of us just take those things for granted because we've always had them. We have no idea what it’s like to live without it, but people die every day because they don’t have enough food or clean water to drink.” Hell, I’d never thought of it either, until I visited Africa with my dad when I was sixteen and saw it for myself. It sparked my curiosity, and that curiosity grew into a passion I knew I had to pursue.

“That's awful,” Tiff agrees.

“Tell them about that internship you're up for,” Luke prods. Jerk. He knows I don’t like telling people about it.

“They don't want to hear about that,” I declare, waving him off. The fewer people who know about it the better. My chances of being chosen are slim. “Besides, I don't even know if I got it yet. I'm up against two other grad students from my program alone.”

“I'd like to hear about it.” How can I say no to Abby when she's looking up at me like I’m the hero in her own personal fairy tale?

I study her sweet face and soft smile a moment before continuing. “There's this non-profit in D.C. that's working to get clean drinking water to remote areas of Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, and they allow engineering students to participate in a six-week internship every summer. They get to help develop irrigation and sanitation systems, build wells, and repair and improve any existing infrastructure. Every year, the organization recruits a handful of interns to take overseas. It’s extremely competitive because an internship like this one looks good on job applications, but that’s not why I’m doing it. Well, trying to do it. There's no guarantee I'll be chosen.”

“I'm sure your dad could pull a few strings. Didn’t your parents donate a shit ton of money to them last year? Besides, a United States Senator with friends in high places can probably make just about anything happen,” Luke smirks. I want to wipe that stupid look off his face with my fist, but I grit my teeth instead.

“Senator?”

Abby's confused look makes my chest constrict with guilt. I haven't told her yet who I am, or who my father is. I'm not exactly ready for that conversation, but Luke can't keep his trap shut. Before I have a chance to explain, he opens that big mouth of his again.

“Didn't Jacob tell you? His old man is Arthur Daniels.” She glances between us perplexed, the significance of the name lost on her. “You know,” Luke prompts. “The senator from Virginia.” That's it. I'm going to fucking kill him. My father’s name and face have been all over the media lately due to his growing leadership responsibilities and popularity among his constituents. There’s no way she doesn’t know who he is.

Abby's eyes widen with recognition and shock, and she starts to fidget in my arms. “Oh. I didn't know that.”

Great. She already seems uncomfortable with our socioeconomic differences. I can't imagine how learning that my father is a politician makes her feel. Money and power don’t attract girls like her.

I guess it's time to come clean now. “That's why we're here, actually. I needed to get away. My father has gotten a lot of media attention lately, and sometimes that attention extends to the rest of his family. I just needed a break from it all.” I want to kiss the worried frown from her pretty face. “I'm sorry I didn't tell you.” It's not like I wasn't going to. I was definitely going to tell her. I think.

“It's okay,” she concedes, her posture relaxing again. “I’m sure you don’t want to be defined by who your parents are. Nobody does.” She smiles up at me, but there’s pain behind her eyes. “I couldn't imagine living in the public eye. Do reporters bother you often?”

“Not all the time. They focus mainly on my dad. I did have a reporter approach me on campus one day between classes.” The memory of that day still pisses me off. The guy was spouting off some bullshit about my dad being a corporate puppet and taking bribes. “I let him know I didn't appreciate him coming at me like that, and the whole incident ended up online.” I don't tell her about breaking his camera and nearly breaking his fucking jaw. Hence, being detained. Luke grabbed me before I could land the first punch. Thank God. I would have ended up in jail, and my dad would have gotten even more negative publicity.

“My parents went ape shit. I don't know if they were more upset that a reporter tracked me down at school, or that I made the senator look bad.” Okay, that's enough. I've said too much already. She doesn't need to know any more about my messed-up family life.

Abby looks at me sympathetically and I can't help but smile at her. This girl has probably been through more shit than I can even imagine, yet she can still find it in her heart to have compassion for the spoiled rich kid who has never wanted for anything... except for maybe a normal life and family.

“Do you have any siblings?” Abby asks.

“Yes, I have a brother, Logan. He's fifteen.” I hesitate, debating whether I should tell her the rest. I guess it's best to be completely open and honest with her. It just hurts so damn bad to talk about it. “I had a sister. Her name was Peyton. She died when she was seven. Leukemia.” I take a deep breath and let it out before continuing. The hardest part is thinking about the life she never got the chance to live. “She would have graduated high school this year.” Another reason I needed to get out of there. The memories of her, in that house, I just couldn't take it anymore. It’s not as bad when I’m away at school. Her dainty laughter and cotton candy smell don’t haunt me there.

I stare down at the water bubbling around me, trying to suppress the emotions causing my chest to ache. I've never really gotten over Peyton's death. She was my little sister and I was her big brother. I was supposed to protect her from everything, but nothing I did stopped the cancer from consuming her frail body and claiming her life.

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