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She rose fro it, she slid it back beneath Amber’s desk "I’ll let you think it over I know you’ll come around"

Because she had just taken away my freedom And what freedom was that really, anyway, if it could be seized with a snap of her fingers? I never really had it to begin with, I realized I was at theto Dartford and supportingtuition, room, and board all on my own--overwhelmed me Oh, and without a car or insurance If I left here, I’d be on reed,the words nu my shoulder, she turned and walked from the room

As soon as she left, I fell back on the bed, every part of me suddenly as heavy as lead

Chapter 21

THE DAY AFTER MY conversation with Moee Cos along

A week passed before I forcedwithered and died in me with every swipe and scratch of n e Instead, I shoved the application forht wasn’t out of et they were there Nor would Mom let me She reminded me every day that there was a July twentieth deadline

"Maybe you don’t want to finish college," she suggested over breakfast oneher warily, wondering if this was soe She was an educator for God’s sake A principal

Moed "You can live here and work at the bank Of course, I’d like you to coe isn’t for everyone Even I know that" She lifted the coffeepot to refill her ree once you marry Harris anyway? I’ Start a family"

Oh My God I looked down at my bowl and spooned another mouthful of Cheerios into ht about that idea When had my life turned into this world of suck?

I HELD BACK MY tears through the phone call with Pepper I didn’t need her to kno upset I truly was I tried to sound practical

"I can’t afford tuition, Pepperand all my other expenses on top of that"

"You can live at Mulvaney’s You don’t have to pay rent, and we can float your utilities for a while You use so little anyway and it’s all rolled into the business"

"I appreciate that" And it really was generous, but that still left tuition and all et a job, but that still left tuition and books It was a lot to wrap my head around Mom knew that She expected me to fall in line I rubbed the center ofto ache I’d taken a run after breakfast but the endorphins had done little to alleviate the pressure building up inback I just need tiure out a planhow I can ht not be coia, you know if you drop out it will be harder to get back into Dartford Have you called Dr Chase?"

"Yes I explained I had a faency and wouldn’t be back for the su"