Mortal Danger (The Immortal Game) Read Online Free PDF Page B

and worthy of a pause.
    My mother looked up. “Yes?”
    You’ve got one shot. Make it good.
    “I wasn’t sure if it would come through, so I didn’t want to get your hopes up … but I’ve been accepted to the Summer Science Program. Full scholarship.”
    Quickly I summarized the benefits of academic focus, college credits, and keeping my brain occupied during the summer. My parents seemed to think if I didn’t use it for those two months, the thing would liquefy and run out my ears. Doubtless they had assumed I’d trail them around all summer, as had become the custom. But since they never paid for another room, maybe they would be glad to have some privacy.
    Ew.
    My father gave me a questioning look. “You didn’t tell us you applied.”
    “It’s pretty competitive. I was afraid you’d be disappointed if I didn’t get in.“
    “But you did … and with a full scholarship. Congratulations, darling.” Mom leaned toward me and almost hugged me. But she drew up short and offered an awkward pat on the shoulder instead.
    “When does it start?” Dad asked.
    “In a few days. I know it’s short notice, but—”
    “Actually, we had been concerned about how much you’d be alone this summer, even traveling with us. You can only sit through so many symposiums,” Dad said.
    Mom added, “We’d toyed with the idea of letting you stay home and apply for a job somewhere, but we won’t be in Boston much for the next couple of months.”
    “I wasn’t keen on it,” Dad admitted.
    “You don’t trust me?” I pretended to be hurt.
    “It’s other people I don’t trust.” His tone was pure cranky.
    “So I can go?”
    They exchanged a look, beaming information brain to brain and coming to consensus like the Borg.
    “Of course,” he said. “It’s a tremendous opportunity, and we’re proud of your initiative.”
    “Thanks.” His praise made me twitch because, of course, I hadn’t aimed for better, brighter things. I’d given up. Let the assholes win. The idea lodged in my head; that was so not okay. No matter what, I should’ve kept fighting. I should never have gone to an emotional place where I felt like the bridge offered my best hope.
    Never again, I promised myself.
    Already, I was better. Stronger. With a goal in sight, I could stand anything.
    “Given our conference schedule, this is the best possible outcome for all of us. I’m excited for you. Do we need to book your tickets?” Mom asked.
    “No, it’s all set. Part of the full ride.”
    She beamed. “You must have really impressed them.”
    Well, I impressed somebody. Too bad I knew next to nothing about the people Kian worked for, but he seemed to have come out unscathed. I’d take that as my silver lining.
    Dad reached over to pat my hand. “It’s no secret you’ve been unhappy at school, and I’m relieved to see you planning for the future. You won’t always be surrounded by cretins and knuckle-draggers.”
    Wow. A small spark of shame went through me. I hadn’t realized they noticed my misery. But then, I stayed in my room, mostly. My parents were as weird as I was, and I couldn’t take comfort in their company.
    Mom nodded. “For people like us, college is the next frontier. This is great, not only for the academics, but this summer, you’ll get a glimpse of what the future holds. It’s so much better than high school.”
    More guilt, because I intended to abandon their nerd phylum as soon as possible. For the best reasons, I told myself. To give the beautiful people a taste of their own medicine. I’d get inside enemy lines, then break them down one by one.
    “Great job winning over the selection committee,” Dad said. “This will look great on college applications in the fall.”
    He has no idea how apt that is.
    I smiled at my parents. “I know. I’m excited they chose me.”

 
    SO SVENGALI
    The morning I left, my parents tried to see me off. Dad smiled at me, obviously pleased with what he was about to suggest.