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“Gifts …?” I scoff at that “You call this place a gift?”

My mother’s face hardens, any trace of sentiot to do it your way in California You got to do it your way up in Chicago You got to do it your way in New York It doesn’t see, Donovan”

“This place is backwards” I throw ht “I didn’t even start the fight I just—”

“Oh, you never start the fight, do you?”

Her airy sarcas to shout, but I hold back “Mom … I had to act That jock was about to shove a pound of food down Toby’s throat”

“What did I tell you, hmm? What did I warn you not to do?”

Is she serious right now? “Mom …”

“Don’t involve yourself in trouble That’s what I said The one rule You are going to learn a thing or two about respect here in Spruce Just like I did There are many opportunities here for you Don’t ruin this for yourself”

“But that stupid jock kid—”

“Jack and I had a long conversation Y’know, he was a teacher when I attended Spruce High, long before he became its principal You should be thankful he reet suspended yesterday and only earned a slap on the wrist It’s iht you?” She clears her throat “And that ‘stupid jock kid’ you’re referring to is lined up to be the next Tanner Strong, fro is?”

Already laying it in thick with the principal Myovertime on the socialite path “Tanner who?”

“You need to learn who’s who here People are power” She closes her laptop and leans over the table, her elbows resting on it “If you make everyone your enemy, you’ll have no one on your tea to i a better effort to learn and apply it earlier,your senior year”

I close htness at last too much to bear

My ive it a squeeze I think is s instead “Look at this as an opportunity A brand nen for you New faces New friends A new chance The world’s yours, Donovan, if you just learn to cooperate with it”