Chapter 2

Mark O'Connell stepped forward, blocking Alex's path. Two of his jock friends, a little too eager, moved up beside him.

"Hey, where do you think you're going?" Mark's friendly mask was gone. His voice was harder now. "The party's just getting started."

"I told you, I have an early start," Alex repeated. He didn't raise his voice. He just wanted to leave.

"An early start?" Mark scoffed. "You come to my party, don't congratulate anyone, don't say where you're going, and then you just walk out? That's pretty disrespectful, Thompson."

Alex internally sighed. He wasn't trying to be disrespectful. He was just trying to exist in a different orbit, one they couldn't see.

His "program" wasn't something you talked about at a graduation party. It wasn't something you used to score points in their social hierarchy.

"I'm not trying to be disrespectful, Mark," Alex said. "I just need to leave."

Brittany glided up next to Mark, her expression smug. "Oh, is little Alex jealous? Is that it? Can't handle seeing everyone else succeed while you're... well, you."

She looked him over again, lingering on his simple clothes. "You should learn your place, Alex. Some people are meant for big things, and some people... aren't."

Alex thought about the scientists he'd met, the ones who didn't care about parties or popularity. The ones who were changing the world from quiet labs. They were doing "big things." These kids just knew how to be loud about small things.

"My place is not here," Alex said, his voice still even. He tried to step around Mark.

Mark put a hand on Alex's chest, stopping him. It wasn't a hard push, but it was a clear message.

"Not so fast," Mark said, his eyes narrowed. "You embarrassed yourself, Thompson. You embarrassed everyone who thought you were smart. Captain of the Decathlon team, and you got into... what? Nowhere?"

The crowd murmured agreement. They loved a good takedown, especially of someone who used to be seen as intelligent.

"You owe everyone an apology," Mark declared. "For being a sore loser. For pretending you were something special."

Alex looked at Mark's hand on his chest. He could feel the slight tremor in it, the excitement Mark felt at having this power, this audience.

He didn't feel threatened. He felt a strange sort of pity for Mark.

"I don't owe anyone here an apology for my choices, Mark," Alex said.