“If she bothers you, let me know.” His face is serious.
“So you’ll defend my honour?”
“Hell yeah. It’s in the freaking friendship manual that you should’ve read by now. You’re like the laziest best friend ever.”
“I’m working on it.” I laugh. “Hey, bug. Do you want to go shopping this weekend?”
He waggles his eyebrows. “Slutty lingerie for Captain?” His smile drops. “Wait. Wrong image.”
“No.” I chuckle. “I need serious interview clothes for Imperial College.”
“Ah. That.” He leans in. “You’re not going to talk to your father about the Royal College of Art?”
Considering that Dad’s been ghosting me in the house, and didn’t attempt to force me into those dreadful breakfasts, I don’t see the point.
“This is your future. You’re not supposed to make your parents happy on the expense of what will make you happy.”
“Wow. Since when did you become so wise, bug?”
His smile is faint. “Since I’m not going into engineering.”
“Oh. Why not?” Dan’s family owns an engineering company. He and Zach are expected to take over the family business.
Since I’ve become best friends with Dan, he’s always planned to do engineering in Cambridge. He has all the high grades and impressive records to fly him there.
Now, I feel like a horrible friend for not picking up on his change of heart earlier.
“I’m going to be a solicitor.”
“That’s also cool, but what made you change your mind?”
“Engineers are considered nerdy especially in college. Besides, solicitors have a more active sex life.”
“Please tell me you’re not changing interest because of a sex life.”
“It plays a part. Okay, a huge part. But no, I feel like I’m more fit for winning verbal arguments.”
I hold his hand. “I’m so proud of you. Whatever you choose, bug.”
“Me, too.” He removes his hand. “But don’t touch me. Captain is fucking crazy about that.”
Both of us laugh, knowing exactly how true that is.
My phone vibrates with a text.
Dad: Meet me in the school’s car park.
My heart starts beating loud. Why would Dad come to meet me at school?
“Do you want me to go with you?” Dan asks, apparently having seen the text.
“No. I’m cool. It’s going to be cool.”
I’m lying.
I’m freaking out on the inside.
Dad told me two days ago that he wanted to talk to the family about something important, but I never thought it’d be so soon.