Read Online Something in Between by Melissa de La Cruz - Free Book Online Page A

coming back.”
    â€œThat’s not true,” I say, even though she’s right, the party’s over.
    â€œThanks for coming, Jas. I’m sorry it went down this way.”
    I give her a hug. “Thanks, Lo. We can help you clean...”
    Lo waves me off. “That’s okay. My parents won’t be back until the end of the weekend. Do you guys have a ride home?”
    Kayla looks down at her phone. “I texted Dylan. He’s going to drop us off at my place.”
    â€œThat was fast,” Lo says.
    â€œWhat’s that supposed to mean?” says Kayla.
    Lo shrugs.
    Kayla frowns.
    Sensing tension building between them, I try to end the conversation. “We don’t want to keep you up. Let’s wait outside, Kayla.”
    â€œHe’s outside anyway,” Kayla says.
    Lo crosses her arms. “Is Julian with him?”
    â€œHow should I know?” Kayla asks, pushing past Lo toward the front door. I give Lo a little wave to say I’m sorry. I don’t know what’s up between her and Kayla. I didn’t think Lo was the territorial type.
    As I follow Kayla outside, Dylan pulls up in a beat-up, rusted-out Camaro. “How are you going to get your car back?” I ask her.
    â€œHe’ll pick us up in the morning. Then I’ll take you back home.”
    â€œIsn’t your mom going to notice the car’s gone?”
    â€œProbably not. Since Dad left, Mom doesn’t really care what I do. She doesn’t have the same expectations of me that your parents do for you, Jasmine.”
    â€œYes, she does,” I tell her. “Stop talking like that.” I guess sometimes I am lucky—my parents can be pains about rules and they’re way too strict, but at least they’ve always pushed me to do well.
    When we walk up, Dylan gets out and puts his arm around Kayla, leading her to the passenger side. I follow behind them, thinking over what Kayla said about expectations.
    Until now, I thought everything I did—the grades, student council, cheer—was because my parents expected me to do it. Watching Kayla flirt with Dylan in the front seat, I realize that’s not quite the truth.
    I did all those things for me . I did them because I love them. Because they make me who I am. I like studying, I like doing well in school. Academics have always been easy for me, and I like pushing myself and topping everyone else. I’m super competitive and I always have to win. Whether I get to go to D.C. or not, I am a National Scholar.
    I’m not going to lower my expectations of myself because the law and some politicians say I don’t belong. I deserve that scholarship. The United States Department of Education thinks so too.
    I’m going to figure out a way to go to Washington, D.C. The president will be expecting me.

7
    It is never too late to be what you might have been.
    â€”GEORGE ELIOT
    IT’S A WEEK after Lo’s party and I still haven’t figured out how to put my plan to storm the Capitol into action. Royce and I have been texting again. He saw pictures of me from the party that Kayla posted on Instagram and tagged me in, and said it looked fun. But he never showed up during either of my volunteer shifts at the hospital, so maybe he was mad I didn’t invite him? Who knows. I have other things to worry about right now anyway, but I am disappointed I didn’t get to see him.
    I haven’t really talked to my parents. I guess we’re living in détente and denial right now. We’re learning about the Cold War in AP European History, which makes me America and my parents the Soviet Union, I guess?
    After cheer practice on Wednesday, Kayla drives me to the hospital again. She’s a different person since she’s met Dylan—bouncy and giddy and girlish. I’m happy for her. He seems all right. I thought he was too cool for school, but he’s sweet to her. On Monday he was even nice enough to