Chapter 1 #6
“Thanks. Almost went in with my hands there.”
“I wouldn’t have judged you. It’s pretty confusing. I only know because my mom worked at a hotel for fifteen years.”
“Must have been a nice hotel.”
“Four stars with a rooftop pool. The son of the owner actually goes here, too.”
“Oh, really?”
“He’s sitting on the other end of this table.” I wait for a discreet moment to gesture at Dalton.
“So we’re in the presence of royalty,” he says, feigning wonder. “I’m assuming you know him?”
“We actually dated. Didn’t last long, though.”
“I hope it at least ended well.”
“I guess it could have been worse . . .”
He nods knowingly. “Well, I’m sure he’ll regret it when you buy your own hotel.” We smile at each other. I didn’t notice the amber flecks in his eyes until now. “I’m Noah, by the way. In case you can’t read the handwriting on my name tag.”
“I’m Evan. Glad we’re sitting together.”
We continue chatting as the next course comes out.
Mushroom bisque with a dollop of crème fra?che.
Noah is a sophomore studying economics. He grew up in Wisconsin and his parents are both high school teachers.
There are two options for the main course—chicken cordon bleu or grilled sea bass.
We decide to order differently so we can try each other’s dishes.
After dessert is served, the president rises to give a speech.
He thanks us for coming and says, “I hope you’re all getting acquainted, which is the purpose of this dinner.
We had an incredibly high number of applications this year, so it’s my privilege to welcome the new Wilson Scholars.
However, there was one particular applicant who stood out to us.
And that individual will be receiving an additional ten-thousand-dollar scholarship. ”
The president turns to me, holding his glass. “Congratulations, Evan Dao. Let’s give him a round of applause, shall we?”
I look around, speechless. I had read there was a scholarship prize, but I hadn’t considered winning it.
I only submitted an application as a way of getting closer to Dalton.
A woman comes around with a silver pin and attaches it to my lapel.
Then we’re moved into another room for tea and coffee.
The president says a few words and leaves us to mingle.
I wasn’t expecting to become the center of attention tonight.
The other scholars come up to introduce themselves and look at my pin.
Of course, Dalton and Cornelia haven’t said a single word to me yet.
They’re standing in a circle with two others, chatting among themselves.
I don’t have to wonder what the conversation is about.
Because Cornelia gestures in my direction, speaking loud enough for me to hear.
“I’m sure he needs the scholarship more than the rest of us. Although, he’s likely going here for free, too.”
One of the other girls chuckles. I should probably ignore them. But I’m getting tired of these comments about me. Maybe it’s time I finally say something. Eventually, I turn to Cornelia. “Sorry, what was that?”
She folds her arms and says, “You couldn’t hear me? I said it must be nice having your education funded while our parents actually have to work to pay ours. Just like your tuition at Bucknall, right? How does it feel having everything given to you?”
Now I understand what her problem is. I’m not really sure what to say back. “I don’t know what you’re upset about. We all got into the same school, didn’t we?”
“But some of us actually earned it,” Cornelia says. “Not everyone here gets to pull the diversity card. And let me guess. You used your mom’s death as a tragic backstory for your admissions essay, didn’t you? I bet that’s probably what won you this award, too.”
The room falls silent as everyone turns to listen.
No one’s ever said that about my mom before.
The words hang in the air as I look at Dalton, wondering if he’ll intervene.
After everything we’ve shared with each other.
But he just stands there, staring at the floor, avoiding my gaze.
Maybe he believes some of this, too. It doesn’t matter anyway.
I don’t need him to say anything. Mom taught me to stand up for myself.
So I gather myself and turn back to Cornelia.
“You know, for someone who’s always ignored me, I sure take up a lot of space in your head,” I tell her.
“I never realized how much I bothered you. Because I can’t afford an education, that means I don’t deserve to have one, right?
That I don’t belong in the same classroom, or deserve to read the same textbooks as you.
It’s honestly really sad. Of all the things that’s wrong with the world, this is what you’re worried about?
People who didn’t grow up with the same opportunities as you? ”
I continue, “I guess we’re the villains of society, right?
Not your dad, whose art galleries have been audited twice for tax evasion.
Or your uncle, who settled multiple sexual harassment claims at his firm.
Or the fact that your family donated to representatives who passed a bill that allows companies to dump chemicals into our water supply.
” I’d found this all online when I googled her family last year.
“But none of those things bother you, do they? You only care about hating poor people like me who can’t write a fat check for their tuition.
I do have one question for you, though. If you’re so rich, why didn’t your parents buy you a more realistic nose job?
Yes, we all know you got one. And no, it doesn’t look good. Sorry to break it to you.”
Cornelia opens her mouth to speak, yet no words come out.
She clearly didn’t expect that from me. Her face turns red as everyone stares at her.
Then she huffs loudly, storming out of the room.
Admittedly, the nose comment was a little below the belt.
But when you bring up my mom, nothing is off the table.
It’s not long before Dalton follows after her.
I watch as he disappears down the hallway.
Another version of me would wonder where he’s going or when I’ll see him again.
For the first time, though, I don’t care.
Because I know what he and his friends think of me.
I guess Mom was always right. It doesn’t matter what I achieve or how far I get in life. They will never see me as an equal.
Her words echo through me as I stick around to chat with the other scholars. “Don’t let it stop you from making it to the top. Even when it feels like you’re alone, I promise you’ll find the right people along the way.”
The season changes as I adjust to the new semester.
I’ve finally deleted Dalton’s number and put more effort into meeting new people.
It’s nice not having to wait for a text that’s never coming.
I’ve stopped caring about joining the Ivy Club.
I’d rather hang around at the student center and have breakfast with the guys on my floor.
It’s part of my goal to have a balanced social life.
I’ve been spending time with Noah, the guy I met at the scholarship dinner.
He invited me out last weekend and introduced me to his friends.
He even saves me a spot at the library so we can study together.
Of course, studying turns into dates, and we share our first kiss at the rose gardens.
I wish I hadn’t wasted my first semester trying to make friends with the wrong people. Maybe I would have met Noah sooner. I want to take things slow this time, though. We have the whole summer to get to know each other.
Four years have gone by. I graduate from Princeton with honors and move to Chicago in the fall.
I’m starting a corporate job where I interned the last two summers.
I have my own desk on the ninetieth floor with views of Willis Tower.
It’s not the most exciting job in the world, but I’ll be able to buy my own place in a couple years.
Maybe I’ll apply to graduate school at some point.
Thankfully, I’ve made a few good friends who also live here, so I don’t have to start this new chapter alone.
We grabbed drinks on the Riverwalk the other night, and they showed me around the Loop.
Noah is currently in Boston for law school, but we still message each other every day.
I’m going to fly there next month to spend his birthday with him.
It’s my first week on the job and I’m still onboarding.
A company meeting is taking place in a few minutes.
I’m walking down the hall with my colleagues when a cleaning woman appears in our path.
A bottle falls from her cart, spilling on the floor in front of us.
She drops down immediately, apologizing as she starts to clean it.
The men step back, almost mortified, careful not to let it get on their shoes.
I stop to watch them for a moment, taking in their suits that look like mine.
Then I step forward and kneel beside the woman.
I grab a cloth from her cart and help her finish cleaning the floor.