Chapter 21

“Have you thought this through, Marqi?” her college counselor asked. “You’re walking away from a substantial scholarship here. It could negatively impact your future in ways you can’t imagine.”

The hard sell on school to keep one off the streets. Marqi sighed and said, “I’m on academic probation! I can’t walk away from something that’s already been taken from me.”

“Academic probation is temporary,” he said patiently. “You have a whole semester to turn things around before you have your scholarship revoked.”

“Yeah, and I’d have to pay for that semester,” she croaked, crossing her arms. “I don’t have that kind of money!”

“That’s why student loans were invented,” he coaxed with a smile. Marqi narrowed her eyes at him.

“Student loans were among the vilest of things ever created,” she told him. “Besides, I’m not passionate about this, and if I’m not passionate, there isn’t much point sinking money into it. I’m not even sure I want to keep this major. I’m failing everything—even economics!”

He didn’t have an answer to that, so he kept quiet and let her chew her lip. Then he said, “Look, I just hate to see you throw away your future. What will you do? Go back home to your mother?”

Marqi snorted. “My mother’s in France living out some sex affair with a guy she met on the internet. I have no home to go to. She sold her condo to move to Europe.”

He looked momentarily horrified by her candor. “So what will you do? Please don’t tell me you’re going to move in with your boyfriend.”

The guilty look on her face filled him with disgust.

“This is the worst mistake you could make,” he said evenly. “I’ve seen a thousand girls throw away their potential over some guy who got their fill of the girl and tossed them aside in six months’ time. It shouldn’t happen to you! You were an honor graduate at your high school; you’ve earned more scholarships than anyone in current attendance at this institution. When I say potential, I really mean it. You could do so much!”

“Yeah,” she burst in, “but I don’t know what I want to do! And until I do, this is a waste of time… and money.”

She grabbed her jacket and made for the door.

“I can see your mind is made up,” he said, “just do me one favor.”

“What’s that?” she asked with her hand on the doorknob.

“Just don’t withdraw from the university yet. Drop your classes, don’t enroll for next term if you must, but please… just keep your options open for a little while,” he said, “you know, in case you ever want to come back. Don’t burn that bridge, okay?”

She got what he was saying fully, and she nodded to show as much. “Okay.”

“Marqi…”

“Yeah?”

He drew in a deep breath and said the only thing he could at this point, “Good luck.”

She didn’t thank him, but merely pulled the door to his office shut and shouldered her bag. She had to get to her dorm and start packing. Her mind was still spinning from the wild decision she’d just made. When she’d gotten up that morning, and skipped breakfast for the eightieth day in a row because her meal plan didn’t cover it, all she could think was how awesome the spread at the mansion had been, and how she’d be eating right now if she were there instead of here. As she had gathered her things for class, she thought about all the homework she was behind on, all the tests she’d failed, and how lately she couldn’t seem to get her head straight about anything. Then to make matters worse, her mother had called from France to tell her what a great time she was having and how she wouldn’t be home for the holidays this year, or possibly any other year. Marqi had sat down on her bed thinking how futile everything was, and the bracelet on her wrist had caught the light and thrown it in her face. Momentarily dazzled, she was seized with the idea to run off just as her mother had done. Why not? She had a clear cut offer. She grabbed her cell phone and dialed. Dennis answered immediately, and she asked for Robert to come and collect her. Dennis had agreed at once. With a new purpose, Marqi walked to the dean’s office and boldly withdrew from everything she was taking. She felt terrified of herself, and her decisions, but she also felt exhilarated. She was taking matters into her own hands. Now was the time to sink or swim.

She hoped she’d never need the lessons.