Chapter 3

A lifeline.

My school counselor, Ms. Evans, called me into her office.

"Kylie, your SAT scores, your grades in AP Calculus and Physics... they're exceptional."

I just nodded, not sure where this was going.

"And your project for the robotics club, the one that won the regional STEM fair? MIT saw it."

MIT. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. A world away.

"They're offering you a full scholarship, Kylie. Early admission."

Full scholarship. A ticket out.

My heart hammered against my ribs. Freedom.

I could leave. Leave the trailer, the taqueria, the stream, them.

"You'd have to accept soon," Ms. Evans said gently.

"I accept," I said, voice hoarse. "Thank you."

The state STEM awards ceremony was a week later. In Austin.

Our robotics team was getting a commendation.

Kendra's private school team won something too. Of course.

I wore my only decent dress, something I found at a thrift store for five dollars.

During a break, I went to the restroom.

Kendra and her friends were there, blocking the exit.

Her dress probably cost more than I made in a year.

"Well, well, if it isn't the charity case," Kendra sneered.

Her friends giggled.

"Look at her clothes. Did you fish those out of a dumpster, Kylie?"

One of them, a blonde with a mean smile, snatched my worn backpack.

She unzipped it, dumped everything onto the polished floor.

My old textbooks, a worn notebook, a couple of pens.

They pulled out their phones, recording.

I knelt, cheeks burning, to gather my things.

Kendra leaned down, her voice a venomous whisper.

"Don't get any ideas about that scholarship, sis."

"Don't think you can just walk away from Dad's 'project'."

"If you try to ruin this for us, or think you can come crawling back when it suits you, this video goes viral. Your new fancy school will love it."

I just looked at her. The sister who shared my face, my blood.

She smiled, a cold, empty thing.

"Stay in your lane, Kylie. The poor, struggling one. That's your role."