His Jealousy Sent Me Straight to the Ivy League novel · Chapter 7 of 24

Chapter 7: Extra Peppers

Hallie showed up at seven with a gas station pizza and a scarf wound three times around her neck.

It was the pizza we had eaten on every bad night since seventh grade.

It cost six dollars, and it always came with a coupon for the next one.

"I got extra peppers," she said, setting the box on our kitchen table. "I wasn't sure if you'd let me in."

"I always let you in."

"Even when I'm here for him?" she asked.

"Are you here for him?" I asked.

She sat down, pulled the scarf off, and folded it very small on her knee.

"Sort of," she said. "I'm sorry. I know that's the worst thing I could say."

"It's not the worst. Eat."

We each took a slice.

My mom was at the hospital, and the house was quiet except for the refrigerator.

Hallie chewed without tasting it.

"I've been talking to Tate," she said.

"Of course you have."

"Not because I forgive him. He just keeps texting me." She wiped her fingers. "Dee, he's a mess. His father took his phone for two days. He's not eating. He told me he's sorry."

"He told you that."

"He did."

"Then he can say it to my face," I said.

"He can't. His father is watching everything he does."

"That sounds like a him problem," I said.

She laughed, a short, wet laugh, and pressed her knuckles against her eyes.

"I know," she said. "I know. I'm terrible for even asking."

"Ask."

"Okay." She took a breath. "His father says if you post a short retraction, only the part about personal disappointment, not the part about the applications, they'll drop the lawyer. And Tate said he'll email every admissions office and tell them the Ivy list wasn't your choice."

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