The Sophomore (College Years #2) - Monica Murphy Page 0,36

I don’t bother correcting her.

“You don’t know what it’s like to struggle financially. Your dad pays for everything. And I’m not jealous, or mad about it. I’ve been around that sort of thing since Ava and I became such good friends. I’m used to it. I benefit from my friends’ good fortune. But I wasn’t born into a wealthy family. Not even close. I have to work and save and sometimes struggle a little bit. It’s not fun, but I also know my life isn’t so bad. I have a lot of things to be grateful for,” she says, sounding so logical. Downright content, even.

She goes silent for a moment and I absorb her words. I never really thought about Ellie’s financial circumstance before. I mean, it’s obvious. The old Saturn is what finally tipped me off and made me realize she comes from a middle-class family. Nothing wrong with that, of course. Though I wonder if Ellie realizes that.

“So no, I don’t really want you to tow my car to a mechanic shop, because I won’t be able to afford fixing my car. My parents can’t either. I’m praying all it is, is a gas problem and that’s it,” she further explains, sinking into the seat with a soft sigh.

I’m quiet as I drive back to her car, hoping that it’s only a gas problem.

Wishing I could solve all of her problems with a snap of my fingers. A worried, stressed out Ellie worries and stresses me out.

Not that she’ll let me ease her burden. She’s too proud. Too stubborn. I’m sure she’ll think I’ll want something in return. I can admit I’m selfish, but when it comes to Ellie…

I just want to help her. That’s it. No strings attached. When Ellie’s okay, all is right in my world.

And I don’t know how to feel about that.

Twelve

Ellie

My little car issue turned into an all-afternoon endeavor.

Adding gas to my tank didn’t help at all. The car still wouldn’t start. Kept making this weird clicking noise every time I turned the engine. Jackson went on YouTube—no joke—did a little investigating and figured out it could be the alternator.

After waiting for a tow truck to show up, which took over an hour, we followed the driver to a local mechanic shop. I absolutely did not want to go that route. I can’t afford fixing my car right now, but Jackson insisted. He was kind of a dick about it, really. Gave me no choice but to go along with his decision, and I finally gave in.

Eventually.

We’re still sitting in the waiting room of the mechanic shop around three o’clock; Jackson texts one of his coaches and says he can’t make it to practice.

“Oh my God, you can’t miss practice,” I protest after he tells me.

He shrugs his broad shoulders, not seeming too bothered by it. “I don’t mind.”

“Will they be mad?” I really, really hope they won’t be mad. I don’t want him to get in trouble because of something that happened to me. Last year he skipped a couple of practices with Tony and the coaches came down hard on both of them.

“This is legit. I explained everything to them and they understand,” he says. “It’s not like I’m skipping just to be a prick.”

“What did you tell them?”

“I said I was helping out my girlfriend.” His cheeks turn red.

And my heart soars.

Stupid heart.

“Your girlfriend, huh?” I jab him in the ribs with my elbow, trying not to read too much into this whatsoever. “Didn’t realize we were in a relationship.”

It would be my every secret wish come true if we were in a relationship, but I know that won’t happen. And even if it eventually did, he would break my heart into a million tiny pieces and destroy me.

No thanks. I need someone safe. Like Carson.

Oh shit.

Whipping out my phone, I send him a quick text.

Me: I’m having car trouble right now. At a shop, waiting to hear the damage. I don’t know if I can make the movies tonight.

Carson: Oh no. What happened? I wondered why you weren’t in class.

It really killed me that I had to skip class. That is not something I ever do.

I explain via text to Carson everything that happened, that my afternoon has been really stressful so far, and how I don’t think I’m up to going out tonight.

Though honestly, if he would’ve tried to convince me that he still wanted to take me out and treat me right, I’d go for it. Silly