He Wrecked Our SATs Over a Tattoo

I whipped around to check the clock on the wall. We had less than thirty minutes before the cut-off time, yet Leo was still standing there, casually discussing tattoo details with the artist.

I could feel a vein throbbing in my forehead. "Leo! Are you out of your freaking mind? Everyone is outside the exam center waiting for you!"

At that point, I was done trying to keep the peace. I lunged for the designer backpack he'd tossed onto the couch, thinking the folder had to be inside.

"What the heck are you doing?" Leo snapped. "Trying to rob me?"

He shoved me back forcefully.

Before I could even touch the bag, two huge, heavily tattooed guys from the shop rushed over, grabbed me by the arms, and hurled me toward the door.

My palm scraped across the rough metal threshold, tearing off a layer of skin. A sharp, burning pain shot through my hand.

The other two guys from school hurried inside and pulled me back to my feet.

"Kai, what the hell is wrong with you?" Leo said. "You got anger issues or something?"

He ran his hand over the new tattoo on his upper arm and glared at me with obvious contempt. "Touch my bag again, I dare you. That's a limited-edition piece my dad just brought back from Montelle. Even if you sell everything you have, you wouldn't be able to replace it."

I ignored the blood on my palm and stared straight at him. "I don't care about your bag. I just want everyone's admission slips. Leo, if we're fifteen minutes late, they're not letting us in!"

Leo rolled his eyes and clicked his tongue impatiently. "What's the big deal? I already told you, my legs aren't finished yet. I booked this guy months ago. He's the best artist in the city."

He stretched one leg toward the tattoo artist. "Come on, man. Pick up the pace. These broke losers are acting like the world's ending."

Even the tattoo shop's owner could tell things had gone too far.

After hesitating for a moment, he stepped in. "It's the SATs we're talking about, kid. Why don't you go take your test? Come back later, and I'll finish the rest for free."

"Shut up!" Leo's voice boomed through the shop, silencing everyone. He glared at the owner. "I'm paying you, aren't I? Since when do you get to tell me what to do?"

Then, he pointed at his legs. "I'm not going anywhere until these are finished."

The entire shop fell silent.

"I'm begging you, Leo." I took a deep breath and forced myself to lower my voice. "This is the SATs. It's not some random quiz we can make up next week. There are forty-two people in our class whose futures are riding on today."

I tried to make him understand his actions.

"Think about Jacob. He spent years training through injuries because he's counting on an athletic scholarship to get into college. And Phoebe—her family barely has enough money to get by. They've sacrificed everything to give her a shot at college."

Leo said nothing, so I kept going, "If you're pissed at me, fine. Take it out on me. But don't screw over everyone else's future just to get back at me."

For a second, the look on his face made me think I might have finally gotten through to him.

Then, he laughed coldly.

"Take it out on you?" He shoved the tattoo artist away from the tray of ink and turned toward me, his eyes burning with jealousy. "Who the hell do you think you are, Kai? Do you think standing there giving some heroic little speech is supposed to make me feel guilty?"

He scoffed. "Give me a break. You've always thought you were better than me just because you get better grades. Every test, every class, every single time."

His jaw tightened. "Why? My family has more money than you'll ever see in your life. Everything I wear is designer, and everything I own is top of the line."

His expression darkened as he continued, "And yet, Cailyn won't even look at me. She follows you around all day like you're the only guy at school."

Cailyn Howell was one of the prettiest girls in our class, and one of the only people who had a real shot at beating me for valedictorian. We studied together all the time, but that was it.

Apparently, Leo had convinced himself there was something more going on.

"Leo, this is not the time for this!" I snapped. "What does Cailyn have to do with the SATs?"

I held out my hand. "Just give me the admission slips. Let everyone get inside and take the test. Afterward, you can do whatever the hell you want to me. I don't care."

I clenched my fists and reached for the backpack again, but Leo immediately slapped my hand away. "If I say it has something to do with this, then it does."

Then, a smug smile spread across his face as he raised an eyebrow. "Go ahead. Tear my backpack apart if you want. The folder isn't in there."