Starcrossed (Starcrossed 1)

to speak freely, and they immediately launched into excited

first-day-of-school chatter. Hergie had Helen pull up a chair next

to him instead of making her stand and talk across his desk.

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Apparently, he didn?t want any of the other students to hear what

he was going to say. That put Helen a little more at ease, but not

for long.

?I see you decided not to enroll in any Advanced Placement

classes this year,? he said, looking at her from over his half-moon

reading glasses.

?I didn?t think I?d be able to handle the extra workload,? she

mumbled, tucking her hands under her thighs and sitting on them

to keep them still.

?I think you?re capable of much more than you are willing to admit,?

Hergie said, frowning. ?I know you aren?t lazy, Helen. I also

know you are one of the brightest students in your class. So what?s

keeping you from taking advantage of all that this educational system

has to offer you??

?I have to work,? she said with a helpless shrug. ?I need to save

up if I want to go to college.?

?If you take AP classes and do well on your SATs, you will stand a

better chance of getting enough money for school through a scholarship

than by working for minimum wage at your father?s shop.?

?My dad needs me. We aren?t rich like everyone else on this island,

but we are there for each other,? she said defensively.

?That?s very admirable of you both, Helen,? Hergie replied in a

serious tone. ?But you are reaching the end of your high school

years and it?s time to start thinking about your own future.?

?I know,? Helen said, nodding. She could see from the worry

puckering his face that he cared, and that he was just trying to