The Con

by Nicole Marsh

  His words make my, already soupy, heart melt further. Collin Franzen is Dangerous. The kind of guy that can weasel his way into your very soul before you even realize it. He treats me like a total queen and I feel like I don’t deserve him.

  Forcing the thought aside, I straighten my spine and puff up my chest, shooting a beaming smile towards Katie as she situates Collin’s phone to snap a photo. The shutter noise sounds, and she claps. “Oh my gosh. Adorable. But one more. Can you two face each other?”

  Collin and I move as requested and the shutter on the phone makes another audible noise, then two more in rapid succession as she bends to kneel on the floor. “Ugh you two are so photogenic, Okay, prom pose!”

  I’m not sure what prom pose is, exactly, but Collin takes the lead, turning me to face the lockers. He wraps his arms around me and uses his palm to guide my hands over top, then we hear a few more snaps of the shutter.

  “Yes, vogue it. Alright, next I want you to—”

  “I think that’s enough. There’s no way you haven’t gotten a good one by now,” Collin drawls, interrupting Katie with a chuckle. She hands the phone over reluctantly and I giggle at her expression. I have a feeling if Collin didn’t stop her, she would’ve gladly directed a photo shoot for the two of us, all morning.

  Collin opens his photo album and I stand on my tiptoes to peek at his phone, watching over his shoulder as he flips through the photos. “Oh those, are really good!” I exclaim, shooting a brief grin to Katie. “I’ll need to get one printed for me.”

  “You still print photos?” Collin asks, his warm gaze assessing when it scans my face. “I’ll just text you all of them so you can have them on your phone.”

  “Yeah right,” Katie scoffs. “Like phones from 1989 can get photo messages.” Her tone is light and joking, even though she’s calling me out on the piece of ancient technology currently sitting snug in my bag.

  Collin’s brow furrows in reaction to her words, like he’s confused.

  “Oh my gosh, have you never noticed Kenzie’s old-ass phone before? Not that there’s anything wrong with it. It’s retro and still functional,” she tacks on to soften the blow of her slight insult.

  The bell rings, thankfully saving me from the rest of the conversation outlining the differences in our family’s wealth. Collin keeps his arm wrapped around my waist, but he’s silent as we wander down the hall towards our chemistry class.

  We sit at our table and Ms. Rigs immediately jumps into her lesson. I half-listen to her explain some basic concepts of chemistry, but my head isn’t in it today. My thoughts are preoccupied with Collin and the conversation with Katie. His silence during our walk to class was uncharacteristic.

  Our relationship doesn’t require constant chatter, but it felt like he was worried about something, rather than the comfortable silence we normally share. Even now in class, he hasn’t tried to squeeze my knee like he usually does, whenever we’re next to each other.

  I spend most of first period convincing myself Collin isn’t going to break up with me. Not because Katie’s words made him realize I’m poor. It can’t really be a secret that I don’t have any money since I’m parentless, and living in a trailer. We’ve discussed my situation multiple times and he’s seen it first-hand.

  We’re not going to break up over this.

  Especially since I’ve been keeping an actual secret from him. One that I’m certain will cause friction in our relationship, once revealed.

  Chapter 26

  Miss Carslyle, will you hang back for a moment please?” Ms. Rigs asks as the bell screeches through the speaker above the door, indicating the end of her chemistry class.

  I exchange a look with Collin, despite his odd silence earlier he seems concerned. His brow quirks in question, but I simply shrug. I’m not sure what this is about. Hopefully it isn’t anything negative, I’ve kept up with all the course work so far and received good grades on the two assignments she handed back.

  As requested, I remain in my seat while the rest of the class files out, heading towards their homeroom classes, like I should be doing. All the while, I’m wracking my brain for the reason why I’m still here.

  Ms. Rigs hovers near the door until everyone else has exited. She firmly closes the door after the last student and strides over to perch on the stool at the table in front of me, swinging her legs to face my direction.

  Silence lingers while she gathers her thoughts, and I mentally prepare myself for the worst. “Miss Carslyle, I recently spoke with your biology teacher from last year. The school receives a copy of your score results from the AP tests and the PSAT. Additionally, your scores thus far in my class are impressive. We both agree you show a lot of promise in Science, especially biology.”

  Shock hits my system as the meaning of her words filter through my brain. A compliment on my hard work isn’t what I expected when she asked me to stay behind, but I’ll take it. My manners overcome my surprise and I stutter out, “Thank you.”

  “I’d like to discuss your college applications, SAT’s, and whether you’ve applied for any STEM scholarships.” She pauses briefly, but continues when I neither move nor speak, “Is everything going alright? Can I help with anything?” She asks.

  “Uhm,” I hesitate. “I haven’t taken the SAT’s yet; I don’t really know much about them.”

  Last year, my homeroom teacher practically forced the entire class to participate in the PSAT’s. I still vividly remember the embarrassment of asking how to pay, since I didn’t have the funds or a checking account. Honestly, I expected to register for the SAT’s the same way, but I’ve been so consumed by thoughts of Collin and my issue with Derek, my focus hasn’t been on college, like it should be.

  Dragging my thoughts back to the present, and Ms. Rigs’ expectant expression, I add, “I also haven’t submitted any college applications or scholarship applications… I haven’t even looked into it, to be honest. It’s all coming up so fast and college is something I’m interested in…” I trail off not sure how to proceed.

  She nods, appearing contemplative. “I don’t want to overstep, but would you like my help? I don’t have a homeroom class this year and would be happy to have you come by on Tuesdays and Thursdays, during your normal homeroom period. We could utilize the time for your college prep work, like studying for the SAT’s and researching schools to apply for. I also think we should look into STEM scholarships, if science is something, you’re interested in pursuing further.”

  I mull over her words, and suddenly feel a rush of gratitude. As often as I say I’m going to get out of this town and go to college next year, I didn’t have a firm starting place in mind before this conversation. “I could use the help, if you have the time,” I admit.

  “Okay, you said you haven’t taken the SAT’s?” she asks. Her voice is calm and comforting, providing a safe environment for me to confess I have no idea what I’m doing, with any of this.

  “Not yet…”

  “Well, there is a test coming up soon. Let’s use our time tomorrow to sign you up for the exam. We’ll need to check if registration is still open. I have a few study guides from past years I can bring in and we can start from there. Then, after the SAT’s we can move on to applications and scholarships.”

  I nod in agreement, remaining silent as all the things I need to do, prior to being able to escape this town, suddenly overwhelm me. As if she can sense the reason for my silence, Ms. Rigs places her soft palm on top of my hand resting against the desk. The gesture feels like a motherly touch; the kind I haven’t had in years.

  “It’s going to be alright, McKenzie. It’s not too late. We will get everything in order for you, in time for you to gain acceptance into the college of your choice, I promise,” she says in a low, soothing voice.

  I nod, but stay frozen in my seat. The second bell rings, piercing the air and indicating the end of passing period. I notice Ms. Rigs remains seated, but I don’t address her, overwhelmed by the thoughts clouding my mind.
I thought my biggest problem was confessing to Collin, but I have so much more on my plate.

  Ms. Rigs’ promise forces its way back to the forefront of my mind, overshadowing everything else. Focusing on her words, I choose to believe her, and feel some of my stress ebb away.

  As if she can sense the second I accept her statement as the truth, Ms. Rigs stands from her perch on the stool and walks towards her desk. “I’ll write you a pass, to excuse your late arrival to homeroom.”

  “Thank you,” I respond simply. The words lack the strength to convey the extent of my gratitude for her offer, but I’m unsure what else to add. I stand with her and move to wait patiently at the side of her desk while she scribbles down a note on a scrap of paper. Taking the pass with a smile, I repeat, “Thank you.” Then, I exit into the hallway.

  After the door closes behind me, I lean against the wall and take a deep breath in an attempt to calm my racing pulse. Nothing horrible happened in my conversation with Ms. Rigs, actually it was the exact opposite. This isn’t a bad feeling, its pure adrenaline.

  For the first time since my mom left, I feel like I’m no longer fighting to survive. Now I’m fighting to thrive, to succeed, and to move on. Hope blooms in my chest with the thought. I have the cheer squad, Collin, my temporary room at the Franzen’s, and now Ms. Rigs’ support for my college dreams.

  Life is good.

  “Is everything okay?” A voice drawls from my left.

  Spinning around, I meet a familiar green gaze. “Collin? Why aren’t you in homeroom?”

  “I was worried about you… I wanted to make sure you were okay. When you left the room, you seemed like you needed a moment, but I was starting to feel creepy. What did Ms. Rigs want?” He asks, his tone low and soothing. Even though he hasn’t said the words, “we’re okay”, his presence and concern wash away the weirdness from earlier with Katie.

  Stepping forward, I lay my head against his chest and wrap my arms around his lower waist. Without hesitation, Collin embraces me in a tight bear hug, squeezing me against his body fully. I tilt my chin to meet his eyes, happy when I see the sparkle glinting back at me.

  I raise to my tiptoes and lightly brush my lips against his. Collin moves to deepen the kiss, then surprises me when he rears his head back with a small growl. His eyes are heated as he grumbles, “You can’t distract me with kisses McKenzie. What did Ms. Rigs want?”

  “I think I like when you demand things from me, Collin. It’s sexy,” I quip back, enjoying the heat in his eyes and the small bit of power that accompanies it.

  He responds with another growl and I smirk, feeling wanton and desirable. Collin lightly bites against the side of my neck, growling his next words against my skin. “Tell. Me. What. Happened,” he demands, his lips sliding against my neck as he speaks, causing a small shiver.

  Collin might be better at this teasing game than I am.

  With a sigh, I finally relent. “Ms. Rigs offered to help me with my college applications and registering for the SAT’s.”

  “Oh. That was very considerate of her,” Collin drawls, his voice lower than normal, but his expression as sincere as his words.

  “Yeah, it was,” I agree. “I need to think about where I want to apply for school and we’re going to register me for the SAT exam coming up, so I’ll probably need to start cramming soon. I might be too busy for you, Franzen,” I tease.

  “I’ll make sure you find time for me,” he jokes back. “You should consider applying for Berry College. Then we can stay together next year,” he whispers the words in a serious tone, just underneath my ear.

  “Berry College?” I ask, dragging my face away to examine him.

  “Yeah,” he drawls with a shrug, turning his head to the side like he’s embarrassed he even suggested it. “It’s just a thought. I know you’re keen on science and they have some good programs there. You don’t have to make any kind of commitment to it or anything, it was just a suggestion. I applied for early admission, so I should hear back soon—“

  I lightly press my lips against Collin’s, interrupting his rambling. This time he dives in, deepening the kiss, sealing his lips to mine with an unexpected fierceness. It almost feels as if he’s using the movement of his lips to tell me how he feels. Branding me, communicating his desires, and I read it all loud and clear.

  When we finally separate, a mere inch between our parted lips, we’re both panting, hard. I use the minute to collect my breath and my thoughts. “I’ll definitely look into Berry College,” I whisper, my words fanning across his lips with our continued closeness.

  “You will?” He asks, quirking a brow with the question.

  “I like you Collin Franzen. It wouldn’t be a hardship to be where you are, for the next four years,” I reply truthfully, with a small, sincere grin.

  Unspoken words of more truths linger between us, at least on my end. I think about the agreement I made with Derek and the fear Collin will have no desire to be anywhere near me soon. Now is neither the time, nor place to discuss it though.

  Collin searches my face, dropping one of his arms from my waist, and using the other to tuck me against his side. I happily snuggle into him and match his stride as he begins marching us down the hall towards my homeroom class.

  “Wont your teacher be mad you’re late?” I ask as we walk further from his class and closer to mine.

  “Nah. It’ll be fine. I’ll just say coach needed something,” he drawls, giving me another squeeze with the arm wrapped around my shoulder.

  “Ahh, the almighty power of the quarterback,” I tease.

  “Stick around, and maybe I’ll share some more of the special skills that come with being a QB,” he drawls, wiggling his eyebrows salaciously.

  I spot a clock past Collin’s face and become momentarily distracted. Homeroom is practically over. My time with Ms. Rigs in her classroom, then with Collin in the hall quickly ate away at the short, forty-five-minute period.

  Pointing to the numbers plastered against the wall, I ask, “Should we even walk to my homeroom? There’s only eight minutes left.”

  “I can definitely think of a better way to spend eight minutes than waiting for you outside of your homeroom, but won’t the school call your mom if you miss a class?” Collin asks, bringing me back to the reality of my situation.

  It’s so easy to forget about my problems whenever Collin is around. He makes my past inconsequential and my reality glimmer with hope. He also turns me into a total sap, apparently.

  I sigh. “Yeah, you’re right. I need to go to class for the last few minutes at least… so I can hand over my note explaining why I missed class.” My words are punctuated with a giggle and Collin joins with a laugh.

  Together, we traverse the empty hallways, content and silent. Collin pauses near the lockers a couple dozen of feet away from the door to my homeroom. “I just want one more kiss,” he drawls, answering my unasked question about our stop.

  It’s unclear who moves first, but within seconds his lips sear mine, claiming my soul and stealing my breath. I feel myself sagging against him as his mouth continues to devour mine. Collin murmurs words between his kisses, but I barely catch half of them. Things like “Lucky” and “Beautiful” enter my consciousness, but they don’t make any sense past the drug that is Collin Franzen’s lips.

  Our kiss eventually ends, and he releases me from his grasp. I immediately throw a hand out, bracing myself against the lockers next to us. Collin laughs at my wobbly legs, as he places his hands underneath my elbows to keep me steady. All I can do in response to his teasing is wave my hand in the air, in a brush off motion. My thoughts aren’t coherent enough to form a verbal response.

  “Get to homeroom,” he instructs, after giving me a minute to gather my wits. The second I twirl around; he swats at my butt.

  “Hey!” I exclaim, not angry but pretending to be. When my gaze meets Collin’s heated emerald stare over my shoulder, he winks at me. I shoot him my sultriest look, then add an extra swa
y to my hips, keeping my eyes on him for my next few steps.

  I catch Collin adjusting himself in his jeans and finally twist my face forward to cover my smirk. Being with Collin makes me feel powerful. A tempting seductress to my equally seductive man.

  “I’ll be here waiting for you,” Collin drawls the moment my hand touches the door handle.

  I send him a smile before I enter homeroom for the last three minutes of the class, “Okay, I’ll be out in a few.”

  Chapter 27

  Between early morning and after school cheer practices, my college prep sessions with Ms. Rigs, tutoring Luke in math in the late evenings, and using every spare second I can find to spend time with Collin, the days pass by in a blur.

  Friday arrives and I wake to the loud, blaring beep of my bedside alarm, per usual. I fight the desire to fall back into sleep, as the noise interrupts an amazing dream I had of Collin and I sitting in front of Clara Hall at Berry College. I’d like to think the thoughts were placed in my head by fate, but it’s more likely they were due to staying up late last night to scroll through pictures of the campus with my guy. When he brought it up on Monday, he said no pressure, but he’s been casually finding ways to work it into our conversations every day this week.

  Forcing my groggy eyes open and thoughts of college away, I swat my hand at the alarm on my nightstand. Unlike my usual routine, I’m greeted with a rectangular box wrapped in pale pink paper with a shimmery silver ribbon tied into a bow, the second my eyes hit the bedside table. I blink twice, trying to see if I’m still dreaming, but when my eyes reopen, the present remains.

  Giddily, I sit up in bed reaching for the gift. The second my hands touch it, the door to my bedroom creaks open and Collin steps inside. He walks to the bed and perches next to me, the plush material sinking under his weight, rolling me into him.

  I’m not complaining though. I use the excuse to snuggle into his chest, with the pretty mystery box still resting in my lap. Collin settles an arm around my waist and when I glance up, his gem-colored gaze is focused on the gift.