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Unlike Katniss Everdeen froer Games, the odds were not in auntlet with a date nohich was disappointing In only fourto leave for college I had wanted one final year ofas many memories as I could with my friends—with Ethan

By the tiht I was in the clear Other than Macky in the hall this , no one said much about my feud with Carson Unfortunately, he was inhim

When I entered the rooe lab table next toeye-contact with the table next to ours where I knew Carson would be seated A ripple of exciteh the roon beakers, PH test strips, scales, and everything else we required for the experi, I returned to s, and Sarah yawned, then said, “Oh ht I’m just spent”

I said nothing, knohere this was going because if there was one way in which I could rely on Sarah as a partner, it was for her to be epically lazy More often than not, she copied my notes and homework Rarely did she actually help me with any of the labs or experiments, and the fact that we had a sub made it exponentially easier for her to slack off

“Do you think you could handle this one? Maybe I could just watch and take notes,” she said, though we both knew her idea of taking notes was napping behind her bookbag

I sighed For once, I wanted to say no I wanted to tell her I was sick of pulling her weight

Movehttoward Sarah Then he pulled a face andmovement across his throat as if to tell me not to do it

Turning back to her, I opened my mouth to tell her no, but what came out was, “Whatever”

Out of the corner of my eye, Carson shook his head, disappointed, which annoyedthe extra work What did he care?

Before I could even shoot hi, “Uh, my partner’s out sick today Do you care if I pair up with another group?” The substitute waved hiazine than anything happening in the classroo Sarah aside and bu into me

“What are you doing?” I asked, feigning annoyance Even if the world were ending, I would never adlad to have a real partner Even if it was Carson

“You’re welcorinned

I placed one hand on my hip “Like I need your help”

“At least you won’t have to do all the work alone,” Carson said “And if there’s one thing I’led his brows, earning him an eye roll

Behind us, we heard a