Read Online Speed of Life by J.M. Kelly - Free Book Online Page B

with Natalie. Sometimes I’m so amazed she’s ours.
    On the way to algebra I decide there’s no point in arguing with Amber over McPherson now. I’ll get the stuff together and then
maybe
I’ll apply. And then
maybe
if I get in I’ll tell her. And
maybe
she’ll be excited and want to go. I doubt they’ll take me anyway.
    I’m not too bad at schoolwork, but Amber usually fills out any forms either of us need, so I’d be on my own there. But still, I can probably handle the application. And last year in English, we practiced writing college essays, which was the biggest joke ever. Only something like ten percent of the kids from this school even go to college, and most of them enroll in the two-year ones, not universities. None of us need to know how to write an essay. Except, maybe now I do.
    If I really want to go ahead with this plan, my biggest problem is all the fees. Not just to apply to the college, either. According to Ms. Spellerman’s paperwork, I have to take the SATs, and that costs a bunch of money. I’m not sure how I can siphon it out of our bank account without Amber noticing. I won’t have to pay for the test until I sign up to take it in January, so if I really do apply—​and I’m not saying I’m going to; I’m thinking about it for now—​I’ll figure something out then. Maybe I have a couple of extra car parts Han can sell for me on eBay.
    There’s also an SAT study course, which Ms. Spellerman has highlighted and said I really need to take. It’s on Tuesday nights, and she’s included a form I can fill out to get them to waive the tuition, but I’d still have to buy two workbooks for twenty bucks each. Also, what will I tell Amber when I go to class at night?
    This is a stupid idea.
    I almost give up right then, but I keep thinking about how scared I was at the gas station and how much I like working on cars but hate pumping gas. I could tell Amber I need a hundred bucks for parts. She’ll freak out a little, but as long as it sounds legitimate, I know she’ll give in.
    That night, I tell the first of what I know will be a lot of lies, even though I’m still not sure I’m actually going to apply. “The car’s gonna need a new battery.”
    â€œSeriously?” Amber spoons applesauce into Nat’s open mouth. “How much’s that gonna cost?”
    â€œProbably a hundred bucks.”
    â€œI thought we bought one last August.”
    Damn. I was hoping she wouldn’t remember. “Yeah,” I say, “but it was a rebuilt one. They don’t really last.”
    â€œWhy’d we buy it, then?”
    â€œBecause they’re a lot cheaper. I should’ve bought a new one.”
    She sighs. “Well, I guess you gotta do what you gotta do.”
    â€œI’ll take care of it this week.”
    Now I have the okay to get the money out of our account, which is good, but I also have to pray the battery I bought last summer makes it through the winter. Or else I’m busted. And I guess I maybe have to apply now.
    Â 
    On Thursday night, I offer to take Natalie to Forward Momentum. It’s a parenting class for moms that we’re forced to take if we want to keep Natalie in the school daycare program. Me and Amber got the okay to alternate going every Thursday because we’re raising the baby together and sometimes one of us has to work. If we both have to, then we’re excused, but only if we show Mei-Zhen and Jocelyn our schedules.
    â€œWhy?” Amber asks. “You went last week. It’s my turn.”
    â€œI know, but I’m not working until Saturday and I thought you might want to chill.”
    Lie. Lie. Lie.
    She fills in a few numbers on the puzzle she’s doing. “You hate it there.”
    â€œNot really.”
    Lie. Lie. Lie.
    Amber loves going to Forward Momentum, and she knows I don’t. I have to be careful