Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 90972 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 455(@200wpm)___ 364(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90972 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 455(@200wpm)___ 364(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
“You know what to do,” Dad sighs behind me like he has no control over this. He even manages to sound regretful somehow.
Until he grunts in satisfaction when I land the first punch.
Chapter 2
Tamson
I stepped foot on campus five minutes ago, and I already know I don’t belong here.
“You’ll see, Tammy.” I can hear Dad’s happy, hope-filled voice in my head as I walk around feeling like an alien who just landed on a new planet where everybody wears designer clothes and looks at me like I’m a hobo.
“Wicked Falls University. This is your big break.”
I’m glad he feels that way. I’m not so sure. There has to be something wrong with me, since everybody who heard about my scholarship acted like it was the best thing that’s ever happened to anyone.
I only know that right now, I’m wishing there was no scholarship paying my way through school, because I can’t imagine feeling this way all the time. I guess it will get better, right? I won’t be a fish out of water forever. People will get used to the daughter of a convenience store owner walking the same campus as they do and breathing the same rarefied air.
Right?
Then again, what do I care? A flash of something hot and determined heats up my chest and makes me walk a little faster while I raise my chin. To hell with them. I’m here to get an education. Let them scoff at me or roll their eyes at each other. I recognize some of them—they come to the store, buying snacks for parties and stuff like that. I guess they never figured on having to share their precious campus with the checkout girl.
It doesn’t matter. I’ll go to class, keep my head down, do my work. That’s what I’m here for. I’m not trying to win a popularity contest.
Somehow, it doesn’t matter how many times I say that to myself as I walk across campus, the sounds of laughter and excited conversation ringing in my ears, floating my way from all directions. It seems like everybody knows everybody else. They’re all friends.
“I heard you got lucky last night… It’s amazing you’re alive after everything you drank… She could suck a golf ball through a garden hose…”
An icy finger full of discomfort travels up my spine when the guy who made that last charming remark glances my way as I pass by. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him before, but that doesn’t stop him from looking me up and down like he’s figuring out whether I’m worth approaching.
I hate when guys give me those looks. I get them all the time at the store. It’s like they can’t just exist and let me do the same. They’re always assessing, considering.
And in this case, I clearly didn’t make the cut, since he only scoffs before turning back to his friends. Message received. Not that I wanted him to approach me or anything like that, but I could do without the dirty look.
My grip tightens on the strap of my backpack, slung over my shoulder, and I lower my head a little before continuing on my way. I don’t need to be friends with any of these people.
Even though I wish I could be. Admitting that, even to myself, makes my heart sink, because let’s face it, I’m never going to be one of them. That’s what Dad doesn’t understand and never will. When you come from this world, you’re not exactly tripping over yourself out of eagerness to invite others into your circle. That’s not how it works.
But then, he honestly thinks that just because people are kind to him in the store, it means they see him as an equal. They don’t, not in this town where money and status mean everything.
We’re the working class. People who are fine to talk to if you need to know where to find the dog food or toilet paper. Otherwise? We might as well not exist. That’s why he couldn’t understand why I wasn’t overjoyed when I broke the news that I would be attending Wicked Falls University. To him, this brings me one step closer to living the kind of life he’s always wanted for me.
His heart is in the right place, but his blindness to the truth leaves a bitter taste in my mouth just the same.
My first class is in the liberal arts building, straight ahead. I made it a point to study the campus map over the past few days so I would know my way around without having to ask for help. Just one more way for me to look like an outsider. That means I can walk with confidence in the right direction, like I belong here.
I just have to remember I belong here as much as anybody else does.