Chapter 4 - Snitch On Your Bestie

“First, I want to extend my thanks to your father for his generous assistance in the renovation of the robotics lab.” Principal Thompson started. “It’s not often that parents contribute to areas their wards aren’t directly involved in, but he was exceptionally generous. The new equipment will benefit the entire STEM program.”

This was the first time Asteria had heard of any donations. And Principal Thompson was right: it was uncommon for parents to contribute to areas that their children weren’t involved in, and Asteria had never shown interest in the sciences.

But with Alexander Goldburn, everything was about optics and business leverage. As one of the country’s leading tech gurus, his image would get a bit of a boost once people knew he’d made a hefty donation.

Everything with him was calculated. Asteria hated it, and some days, she hated him too.

Still, Asteria blinked at Principal Thompson. “I’ll be sure to mention it to him.”

“Second, I’m sure you’re well aware of Damian Windsor’s little stunt in the cafeteria this morning. This is your final year, and I’m trying to keep my cortisol levels in check. I would appreciate it if he refrained from any more dramatic entrances, and from any more reckless acts.” He said. “That’s where you come in. If you catch wind of any future… misadventures he’s planning, I’d like for you to inform me. Can you do that?”

Asteria held up her hands in weak defense. “I had no idea he was going to ride into school today.”

“I believe you. You’re one of the good seeds. It’s kids like Damian that give me gray hairs.” He said. “But you didn’t answer my question. Can you keep me informed of Damian’s misbehaviors before they occur?”

The silence seemed to go on for ages.

Principal Thompson sighed. “Of course you won’t. You and your generation’s obsession with not being narcs.” He rubbed his temples. “Look, if you’re not going to snitch on your ‘bestie’ can you at least try to talk him out of his more foolish ideas?”

“I can try.” She said quietly.

“I suppose that will have to be good enough.” He sighed again. “Finally, last year your teacher noted that you struggled with Introduction to Statistics. Apparently, it was a miracle that you didn’t completely flunk the final exam and have to retake the class during summer school.”

“Yeah, I studied and crammed for an entire week straight to make sure I didn’t have to come for summer school.” She admitted. “Not that anything is wrong with summer school, I just didn’t want to spend my summer in school. Not that anything is wrong with school, I just didn’t want to spend my summer in it.”

“Anyways, this year you’ll be taking AP Statistics and logic dictates that it’s going to be even more challenging than the introduction class. But you’re a smart girl, Asteria, which is why you had the foresight to sign up early for peer tutoring. I’m pleased to announce that your tutor has been selected. I’ve asked him to meet us here by 2:15.” He looked at his watch. “It’ll likely be right in the middle of a class, but he has a note excusing him.”

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

“Ah, right on time.” Principal Thompson said. “Come on in.”

The door opened behind Asteria.

She turned, and there stood Kethan Adams with that same charming smile on his face.

“Miss Goldburn, meet your new calculus tutor: Kethan Adams.”

Kethan’s hazel eyes met her with warm amusement. “Well, darlin’ looks like we’ll be seeing a lot more of each other.” Then he turned to the principal. “We’ve already met sir. We’re in the same Studio Art class.”

“This doesn’t make any sense. He literally just got here.” She said. “How’s he supposed to know what to tutor me on? No offense.”

He shrugged. “None taken. And don’t you worry your pretty little head about that. I didn’t print out my resume for you to review but I can tell you that my qualifications include being president of the Mathletes at my old school, having a trophy case that’s half filled, and just generally being a huge math nerd. Do I have the job?”

She nodded. “You’re more than qualified for it.”

“This is great.” Principal Thompson chimed in. “Now that you two are chummy, let’s discuss your tutoring schedule.”

* * * * *

The final bell rang through Blackwell Academy like a collective sigh of relief. Students filed out of the various classes and clubs excited for the close of day. Asteria gathered her books, slung her bag over her shoulders, and made her way to the parking lot.

Oliver was easy to spot despite the sheer number of students who were already in the parking lot, but Damian was nowhere to be seen. The bike he had ridden into the cafeteria however, was in the trunk of the car.

“Finally. You were taking forever.” Oliver groaned. “You know, I thought that you’d be able to walk a little bit faster now seeing as you grew a bit and your legs have more coverage.”

She rolled her eyes. “Sorry to disappoint: I grew, like, one inch, max. Not all of us can have long legs that get us everywhere at the speed of light.” She paused. “Where’s Dami?”

“Right here.” A groggy voice answered from inside the car. Then, Damian’s head popped up from the backseat window. He looked even more ragged and sleepy than he had earlier. “Considering how much our folks pay for us to go here, the coffee is weak as shit.”

Asteria frowned. “The cafeteria doesn’t serve coffee. The school thinks it’s going to stunt our growth or something.”

“I know. That’s why I liberated this one from the teachers’ lounge.”

“You stole it from the teachers’ lounge?!”

“No. I liberated it from the teachers’ lounge.” He corrected with a smirk.

“You’re going to get in trouble.”

“I’m already in trouble, love, remember? I’ve got four days of detention.” He smirked. “Besides, from what I’ve heard you might also be in trouble.”

“Yeah, Tammy said you got called to the principal’s office.” Oliver added. “What was that about?”

She waved it off. “Nothing important. I’m not in trouble.”

“That’s a shame. I’d have thought I’d finally corrupted you after all this time.”

Asteria flicked his forehead. “You’re incorrigible.”

“I’m sleepy.” He corrected. Then he leaned back into the back seat to settle in for another nap.

With Damian conked out again, Asteria turned to Oliver. “We should probably get going so that he can go to sleep in a proper bed.”

Oliver turned and spotted Damian in the back seat, then groaned again. “Now I’m going to have to log his ass into his place. The things you do for the people you love.” He opened the door of the driver’s seat. “Ready to leave?”

“Yeah.” She said and then slid into the passenger’s seat.

Oliver had just started to pull out of the parking lot when someone flagged them down.

“Hey, wait up!” Kethan called, catching up just as Oliver slowed the car. He leaned toward the open window on Asteria’s side. “I didn’t want to let the first day end without getting your number. You know, in case tutoring sessions need rescheduling… or if you just want someone to complain about calculus with.”

Asteria felt her cheeks warm. She pulled out her phone and watched as he typed his number in. When he was done, he handed her phone back with a wink that was equal parts charming and confident.

“See you around, darlin’.” He said smoothly, stepping back with a nod. “Gentlemen.” Then he was gone, jogging toward his own ride.

“Who’s your friend?” Oliver asked.

“His name is Kethan Adams. He’s supposed to be some sort of math genius so he’s going to be my Statistics tutor seeing as I had such a hard time last year.” She explained.

“I remember.” He said. “But about your guy, Kethan…”

“He’s not my guy.” Asteria interrupted.

“I can’t put my finger on it, but he looks familiar.”

“I doubt it. He just got to New York.” She said. “Maybe he just has one of those faces.”

“Yeah. Maybe.”

The drive to the Goldburn penthouse on the Upper East Side was filled with syrupy pop music wafting from the radio.

Eventually, Oliver pulled up to the sleek glass building. Asteria gathered her things. Damian didn’t stir, still dead to the world in the back.

Oliver killed the engine. “Same time tomorrow?” He asked.

“Yeah.” She said softly. “Thanks for the ride.”

“Anytime.”

She slipped inside and took the elevator up to the penthouse. Alexander Goldburn was in the living room, typing on his laptop at the massive dining table that doubled as his impromptu office. His new money empire — Aurum Tech — never slept, and neither did he.

“Principal Thompson asked me to thank you for the robotics lab renovation. He said it was really generous.” Asteria said.

Alexander barely looked up from his screen, fingers flying across the keys. He shrugged dismissively. “It was embarrassing, honestly. Someone with my name was attending a school whose robotics lab wasn’t even top-tier in the country. Aurum Tech needed a solid tax write-off this quarter anyway. Killed two birds with one stone.”

Asteria nodded, unsurprised. “Right. Well, thanks anyway.”

He waved a hand vaguely. “Dinner’s in the fridge if you’re hungry. I have calls until late.”

Asteria nodded and headed for her room. This wasn’t one of the times when she hated him. It was one of the times when she felt sorry for him. And if she was being honest, she felt sorry for herself in these moments too.