The Bad Ones

We're All Disappointments

"And are you sure that this is what you want?" Dray asked me, arms crossed. Mar didn't look very happy either.

I finished brushing my hair and looked at my reflection in my mirror. "This is what I need, not what I want."

They gave me a grave look, but nodded and left.

Basically, I decided that I was going to talk Vamders into giving me an early graduation. I don't see why he wouldn't; I was already over my required credits, I had near perfect attendance, I know for a fact that all of my teachers would sign off on it, and I didn't need a big show of receiving my diploma anyway. My dad asked me to graduate, but he never said it had to be traditional. After I receive my diploma, I wanted to go on a trip to UC Davis.

I never told anyone this before, not even my family, but I was interested in medicine. UC Davis has an excellent medical program, and I wanted to chance myself on getting in early. I also wanted to take a picture of Mar's expression if I actually get in.

Checking my hair and outfit one last time, I went downstairs to meet the girls in the SUV.

"Are we picking up Carter?" Mar asked as we parked at McDonalds.

I shrugged, "If he needs a ride, yeah."

She nodded and got down to get our food. She returned with Carter after five minutes, but he wasn't getting into the car. He came over to my window. Sighing, I rolled it down.

"What?" I asked plainly.

"What do you mean 'What'?" he scoffed, "Why are you asking Vanders for your diploma?"

I turned to give Mar a look for telling, which she ignored, then turned back to him, "It's my decision and, while you know I accept your opinion, this isn't a time for it. It's my decision."

He frowned at me but let it go. "Whatever. See you guys at school," he said before going back into the little restaurant.

As we were on our way to school, I shook my head.

"You had no right telling him," I frowned at Mar.

"You had no right not telling him, Bail. And why didn't you tell him? Are you two arguing or something again?" she replied.

I didn't respond.

"The way I see it, Carter deserves to be left out of any of our decisions, seeing as he sees fit to leave us out of his," Jason sniped from the back seat.

Drey furrowed her eyebrows, "This is a future he's trying to explore, Jason, it's not like he chose to just leave us. He's going to come back after the training."

"Mm-hm," was Jason's uncaring reply.

When we got to school, I got out of the car and sighed heavily.

"You know, you should think about this some more. If Vanders says yes, you can't take it back. He may not have said it, but you know dad wanted you to walk with us," Mar tried persuading me.

I shook my head as I examined the school. "I don't even think I'll miss this place, Mar. I'm more excited about what comes after high school, than high school itself. I know what I'm doing and it's what I need. I stood by you when you wanted to visit your mom, when you wanted Mason and Carson to stay, and when you wanted me to date Mason. Just have my back on this."

She frowned at me, but conceded with a curt nod. She went to her class then, and I went to find Vanders. Instead of searching the school, however, I just sat in his office and waited. I was about to fall asleep when the door flung open.