Top Score, Bottom Morals

When Govind came back, he was holding a clear folder.

The second I saw what was inside, my heart dropped.

My SAT admission ticket.

A few days ago, Govind said he was worried I'd lose it and offered to hold onto it for me.

Back then, I thought he was being considerate.

Now panic slammed into me.

"Give it back!"

I tried to get out of bed, but my leg was trapped in a cast. The slightest movement sent cold sweat pouring down my back.

Govind stood there calmly, almost confused.

"Jovie, didn't you hear what I said?" He lightly shook the folder. "If you skip the SAT, Yvette can focus. What do you even need this for?"

My whole body shook. I couldn't tell if it was rage or pain.

"Give it back... please..." I'd never begged like this before. "I swear, after the test, I'll leave. I'll stay far away. I won't go back to that family. I won't get in your way anymore. Okay?"

He stood there in the dim light, something unreadable flickering in his eyes.

"Jovie, why do you have to make this so hard?"

He pulled out a lighter and flipped it between his fingers.

Click.

Open.

Click.

Shut.

"Yvette just told me she dreamed you'd cause a scene at the test center. She woke up crying. If you go and upset her, what if she can't even make it into the exam room?"

The flame flickered, then died.

"Be good. Don't make this harder than it has to be."

My heart seized the second I saw the lighter.

"No!"

I don't know where the strength came from, but I rolled off the bed.

Pain ripped through my leg, but I still dragged myself forward.

Then the door slammed open.

Yvette rushed in with red eyes and threw herself into Govind's arms.

"Govind, am I useless? I keep thinking Jovie hates me..."

His hand jolted when she crashed into him.

The flame caught my SAT ticket instantly.

Fire tore through the paper.

Seconds later, all that was left was ash.

Govind froze, staring at the gray ash on the floor, then at me.

He'd only meant to scare me.

"Jovie, I didn't mean—"

"If Jovie hates me that much, then fine! She can have the top score!" Yvette cried, cutting him off. "She can have Mom and Dad too! Should I just die? Would that make everyone happy?"

She threw herself toward the wall, and Govind grabbed her instantly.

"Yvette! Stop!"

Something inside me finally snapped.

"Yvette Jevan, you're freaking insane!" I screamed, forcing myself upright.

Govind's eyes went cold.

Almost on instinct, he kicked me.

I flew backward, the back of my head slamming into the bedframe hard enough to black out my vision.

Blood flooded my mouth.

"Jovie!"

For the first time, panic slipped into Govind's voice as he stepped toward me.

"Govind..." Yvette shook in his arms, eyes red and helpless-looking.

But where he couldn't see, she curled her lips at me in a smile.

Govind stopped walking.

He looked down at the trembling Yvette. The panic in his eyes disappeared.

When he looked back at me, all that was left was disgust.

"Do you really have to act like this? Do you have to make everything such a scene?"

I coughed up blood.

I couldn't speak.

I didn't want to.

Yvette sniffled against his chest. "Govind, let's go. I don't wanna stay here. I'm scared..."

He never looked at me again.

He wrapped an arm around her and walked out.