Page 7 of Klutch's Kryptonite

As much as I know better, a flutter of anticipation explodes in my belly as we approach campus.

As we stroll further onto campus there are students sprawled out on the grass in the quad, textbooks open beside them. Others hurry between buildings on their way to their next classes. That’s exactly what I want—the freedom that comes with having an education, with having options. I don’t want to spend the rest of my life like my father. Bumbling around from part-time job to part-time job. Always owing someone, always looking over my shoulder.

No thanks.

“Look at them.” I keep my voice low as I nod toward a group of nursing students in scrubs that are crossing the quad. “That’s going to be me in a couple years.”

“And I’ll be on my way to becoming the badass lawyer who gets innocent people out of prison,” she replies, her voice taking on that edge it always does when she thinks about her brother.

Jaxon Lewis was sentenced to life for a murder he didn’t commit when McKenna was just thirteen. His public defender had been so overworked and underpaid that he’d repeatedly mixed up Jaxon’s case with others, even calling him by the wrong name in court. It’s the reason McKenna has decided to become a lawyer—to make sure what happened to her brother never happens to anyone else.

“First things first,” I say as we approach the admissions building. “We need to figure out how much this is actually going to cost us.”

McKenna grimaces. “Way to kill the vibe, Dems.”

“Just being a realist, babe.” I shrug. “We both need to find better jobs this summer if we want to make this happen.”

Kenny’s brows snap together. “I thought you were still at Mel’s?”

“I am, but the tips have been really crappy lately. I’m barely covering rent and groceries, let alone saving anything.” I don’t mention that half my paycheck goes to bailing my dad out of whatever mess he’s gotten himself into at the time. Not that I really need to, though. McKenna knows all about my dad and his string of get-rich-quick schemes. They never pan out.

McKenna pushes open the door to the admissions office. “Well, I’m definitely looking for something that pays better. Folding clothes at the mall isn’t going to fund my law school dreams.”

The blast of air conditioning hits us as we step inside, and a chill skates down my spine.

“Hi, we’re here to get information about enrolling for fall semester,” I tell the woman at the front desk.

She smiles and hands us each a packet. “The advisors can see you in about fifteen minutes. Have a seat and fill these out while you wait.”

I hand one of the packets to Kenny and walk over to the row of chairs pushed up against the far wall. My stomach twists as I flip through the information.

“Holy shit,” McKenna whispers. “This is a lot of money.”

I swallow hard. “It’s an investment in our future, right?”

But as I scan over the numbers, all I can think is How the hell am I going to make this work?

An hour later, we stumble out of the admissions office, both of us shell-shocked.

“Four thousand dollars,” McKenna says for the tenth time. “Four thousand fucking dollars for one semester. And that’s just tuition and books.”

I nod numbly. “At least there’s financial aid. If we both get those federal grants?—”

“Big if,” she cuts in. “And even then, it probably won’t cover everything.”

We make our way back to the light rail station in silence, the excitement from earlier has evaporated. As we wait for the train, I mentally calculate how many extra shifts I’ll need to pick up at Mel’s to save enough by September.

“Maybe we should rob a bank,” McKenna suggests as we board the southbound train.

I snort. “Yeah, that’ll look great on our college applications. ‘Extracurricular activities: armed robbery.’”

“I’m just saying, there’s gotta be a faster way to make money than serving greasy burgers and double shifts at the mall.”

The train lurches forward, and I grab a handrail to steady myself. “If you figure it out, let me know.”

We fall into easier conversation as the train carries us away from campus and back toward our neighborhood. McKenna launches into the latest drama with her ex-boyfriend, and I’m grateful for the distraction.

“I swear, he’s texted me like fifty times since yesterday,” she says, rolling her eyes. “Like, you cheat on me with my cousin and think I’m going to give you another chance? Please.”

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