The Prom King: A Murder Mystery ✔

Chapter 13: The Scholarship

We drove in comfortable silence back to Jonas's house. I didn't go to Jonas's home as often as he came to mine, but whenever I did, I always had a great time. We pulled into the driveway of his house. Ok, not really a house, more like a mansion. When your dad's a doctor, and your mom's a lawyer...well, I think you get the idea.

Even so, I could care less if Jonas's family was rich or not. Friendships like ours are not built on money. They are built on a genuine admiration and care for the other person...just like we had with Chase.

We got out of the car and walked up to the massive oak doorway. Jonas pulled out his keys, opened the door, and let me go in first.

"Are you parents home?" I asked.

"My mom should be here," he replied. "but this morning she told me she'd be having a teleconference, so we shouldn't bother her till she comes out or if she texts me or something."

"Good to know."

We decided to go hang out in the den, equipped with a theater room, pool table, ping pong, football-themed décor, and a small kitchen filled with snacks and drinks.

We took our shoes off, and let the plush carpet relax our feet. Why don't I come here more often?

After Jonas grabbed a water bottle for himself and ginger ale for me, we seated ourselves on one of the leather couches to once again determine where our case stood.

I took in a deep breath and began, "All right, we now know who was on the food prep team during prom. We also know that Chase was on that team, but why? I don't remember him mentioning that to us."

"Yeah, me neither. But hey, the food team does provide a 25% discount on your prom ticket, so maybe Chase was just in need of some cash."

"Maybe, but still, we and Chase were always so open with each other about everything, including money issues at home, so why would he hide that now?"

"He could have been trying to buy something he wasn't supposed to, like the steroids, you know." Suddenly, Jonas's phone vibrated. "Hold on just a second, Jo. It's from Stanford University. They updated my financial aid letter." Jonas quickly clicked on the link in the email and scanned the letter. His eyebrows scrunched together in confusion. "This doesn't make any sense," he whispered.

Jonas handed me the phone and I quickly read the letter.

Dear Jonas Simmons,

Since the recent unfortunate loss of Chase Adams, the Financial Aid Department has had the difficult decision of choosing a new recipient of the final football athletic scholarship.

After careful consideration of your academic record and financial need, it is our university's pleasure to award you the final spot on the Stanford football team.

We hope to hear from you soon concerning your acceptance.

Sincerely,
Valerie Thomas
Vice President

I looked up at Jonas.

"I didn't know you were even accepted to Stanford," I said.

"I didn't mention it because I was planning to decline. The tuition cost is high, plus, I'd have to move...it didn't seem worth it. I'd rather go to state. Even though I know my parents would rather have me go to Stanford. It's a better school obviously. But here's the thing, this letter says this award was Chase's. Stanford's not an Ivy League school. So why did Chase tell us he got a scholarship to one? AND this letter considered financial need. I've completed the FASFA, and according to the government, I don't have enough financial need to get a full ride based on that."

"Just more questions we need to get answers to."