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Prologue

Violet

I look down at the dress I’h the ends of my pale blonde hair

Can they tell I don’t belong here?

My dress is designer, and I think it looks new I bought it at a secondhand store lastthis interview

I only paid four dollars for this dress It probably cost more new thanit helps h this interview

I take a deep breath, trying to settle uy across fros today It’s the end of the day and now it’s just ot dark hair and it’s lazily cut, the bangs trailing in his eyes He’s good looking, could probably be a model It wouldn’t surprisefaded jeans and a T-shirt There’s not a designer tag in sight

Shit Maybe I ed Did I overdress? Will they think I don’t need the scholarship?

A fresh wave of panic hits me

I really need this scholarship Going to Black Mountain Acadefar away from the life my mother led

The life she squandered The life she wasted

I shake off thoughts of my mother when the principal comes out I practically hold oes back to the guy sitting across from me

“Mr Trenton, you’re next,” he says and the disappoint I’d be next I have a lot to do today

After I finish this interview, I have to find a place to stay and a job If soet this scholarship, the whole job thing will become a lot more complicated

It doesn’tto do whatever it takes toback to California, unless it’s with a prestigious law degree and a career as an entertain in the slums

I’ain