First Tier

Monday, October 10th

Dr. Perry hands back our AP biology tests as we walk into class. Yeah, it's unusual for most high schools to have teachers with doctorate degrees, but my school is known as one of the best college prep schools in the country. Half the students board here, and the other half, like me, are day students. My parents are alumni and so is my grandfather. It's not all it's cracked up to be, though.

I look at the test in my hand. Crap. 80. I knew I should have studied harder. This is going to pull my grade down to an A- or maybe even a B+. I feel my heartbeat thump in my neck, in my wrist, in my chest. I walk to my desk, willing myself not to shake.

Alissa leans over to me. "What'd ya get?" She tries to look at the test, but I've already turned it so the back's exposed.

"95." I lie as I watch the people walk through the door.

"Sheesh," she says. "I got a 90."

I shrug. "That's pretty good." I lie again. Well, it is 10 points better than mine. Crap.

"Don't kid me, Riley." She says. "This definitely pulled my grade down."

"Let's begin." Dr. Perry pointedly looks at me and Alissa.

My hand shakes so hard that it's difficult to take notes. My chest feels like someone stomped on it. I try to focus on class, but my mind is everywhere else - college apps, my parents, dance, this grade.

"Riley!" Dr. Perry calls my name as I walk out of the room once class is over.

I turn my head and take a few steps back into the classroom. "Yes?"

"Can I have a word with you?" Damn it. I pick at my fingernails as I walk over to where she's standing by the computer in the front of the class with her arms folded.

I stand there expectantly, struggling to meet her eyes. She sighs.

"What happened on that test?" She asks quietly. I shrug.

"Dunno."

"Riley, your grade in the class is now an 89. You know that's not what you want." My heart sinks even further. An 89. A B+. I just want this day to be over.

"I know. I'll do better next time. I'm sorry." I turn to walk out the door. She lightly touches my shoulder and I stop.

"You know, I'm here if you need to talk."

No. I don't need anything. I just need an A in this class. I hurry out of the classroom, but I'm still late for my next class, multivariable calculus. I quickly take a seat in the back of the room and pull out my notes.

At lunch, I sit by Diana, Jacob, and Luis. Diana and I are splitting the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy for our dance company's performances of the Nutcracker. Basically, we alternate every night of the three-week run, so when she's dancing the part of the Sugar Plum Fairy, I'm dancing as the Arabian doll, and vice-versa. We've been super close for our whole lives, since our parents were good friends at Yale, so the competition between us is mostly friendly.

I take out my lunch: low-fat yogurt, two slices of ham, and a Diet Coke. Diana's fasting today, which makes me feel even guiltier as I take a small bite of ham.

"Are you applying to U Chicago?" Jacob asks me. I nod.

"Me too." He says. Luis and Diana are also. Diana's top choice school is Columbia, Luis' is Harvard, and Jacob's is Johns Hopkins. I'm not sure what mine is, but I'm pretty sure my parents want me to apply to Yale early action. All I know is I'm tired of talking about college applications. It just makes me nervous.

"Wanna go see the new Marvel movie this weekend?" I ask to change the subject.

"Heck yes!" Luis grins. "You know Marvel's my thing."

Diana shrugs. "I really do need to study."

"C'mon guys." I say. "One two-hour movie. We haven't done anything in ages. Please?"

After some coaxing, they all agree to go see the movie. I'm starting to regret suggesting it. Diana has a point. I also need to study, and I can't afford to make another bad grade.

Okay. I'll just put in some extra time tonight and tomorrow. I throw the unopened yogurt in the trash as I walk from lunch to AP English.

At 3:30, I meet Diana and Julie, a sophomore who is dancing the role of Clara, in the parking lot. We drive over together to the studio. I change quickly in the back of the car because I have my individual rehearsal at 3:45.

We're walking in the door at 3:43. I make it to my rehearsal barely on time to be greeted by a very stern looking Ms. Rosa.

"Hello Riley." She says. "I trust you've had a good day?"

"Yes," I say. I feel her eyes watching me closely I warm up at the bar.

"Keep your back straighter." She says.

After I warm up, I go over the Sugar Plum routine multiple times as she watches and corrects. A "good job" here, a slight push of my hand there. I'm getting the hang of it.

"Take a break." She states. I slip out of the room to get water, and when I come back, there's a frown on her face.

She grabs my arm and turns it so the inside is facing up. I look down to see both scars and new cuts zigzagging their way across the flesh. "What's this?"

I pull my arm from her grip and position it by my side. I forgot to cover it up. "Nothing." I say.

She furrows her eyebrows. "Riley."

I look away.

"Stop this. If you continue, I'll have no choice but to tell your parents and to replace you with Tessa." She grabs my chin and pulls my face up to meet her eyes.

"You are too talented to pull this type of crap. You hear me?" She drops her hand. I nod.

"Yes Ma'am." I say.

She moves to the side of the room. "Well, let's go again."