s were proud, in their usual distant way. They' d already sponsored Chloe and Maya through Northwood Prep, the same elite high sch

my family footing the bill for every prep course, every application coach, every

not celebrating, but huddle

, "Princeton

expression tight. "Et

y eyes. "We're thinking

? Why? We all got in.

ted, "Jake didn't

the one they' d reconnected with this past year. The o

d, her voice small. "He thinks he can get an athletic

ice even. "You're throwing away Princeton

following Jake. It' s about supporting him

hear the disbelief in my own voice. I started to list all the reaso

ble, flickered. A bright red banner, like an

l conspire to get his Princeton acceptance revoked (e.g., frame him for cheating, 'l

een happening for a year. Sometimes they were small, like a pop-up saying "Alex will

like a social media D

top them now will backfire spectacular

faces earnest, defensive. The words I was about to

forcing a complete

what you guys feel is right, then... you should do it. S

exchanged sur

asked, suspici

smile. "Who am I to say what' s

aces was immediate, a