Chapter 4

Lucky for me, I'd come prepared.

"Mom, who said I didn't bring a gift?"

I pulled a glittery phone case out of my bag.

"Denise, back when Mom said she'd buy you an iPhone, I went ahead and got a matching case for it. Who knew things would go the way they did? Guess you won't be needing this after all."

Brenda gave a sniff. Denise kept her head down and said nothing.

I was about to turn toward the water cooler to fill a cup when she suddenly caught up and grabbed my arm.

"Cheryl, that day at the dinner… the new phone in your bag—was that meant for me?"

I stopped, and deliberately let her hope.

"It was. But then Mom said she'd buy you an iPhone, and I was afraid if I gave you mine she'd back out, so I just kept it for myself."

Denise was quiet for a few seconds. "Then now… she didn't buy me an iPhone, so that phone—could you… give it to me instead?"

I smiled.

"But I've already been using it. And it's just a cheap phone. Aren't you worried your classmates will laugh at you?"

Denise's eyes lit up.

"Why would they? Sure, it's not an iPhone, but it still cost five thousand. That's practically high-end!"

Last time around, she'd turned up her nose at the cheap phone I gave her.

This time, she was begging me for my used, secondhand cheap phone.

Keep dreaming.

I sighed, my face full of reluctance.

"Denise, this is my only phone. If I give it to you, what am I supposed to use?"

Denise pressed her lips into a thin line.

"And besides…"

I lowered my voice and glanced toward Brenda.

"If Mom finds out you're not using the phone she gave you and using mine instead, she'll be sure I'm trying to drive a wedge between the two of you. Then we'll have another blowup on our hands…"

The light in Denise's eyes dimmed by half.

I added, "Though if you really want an iPhone, it's not like there's no way."

Her head snapped up. "What way?"

"Go get a job. You're a smart girl."

Denise bit her lip. "But I'm still young… nobody would hire me…"

I slapped my forehead, all rueful. "That's my fault. Forgot about that."

The little flame of hope guttered out again.

I patted her shoulder. "Don't worry. Once I save up a bit more, I'll buy you one down the road. For now, just focus on school."

"But I can't wait." Her voice went thick. "If I bring an old basic phone to school, everyone will laugh me to death. There are so many rich kids at a top high school…"

I was about to answer when Phil suddenly came trotting up from the far end of the hallway, a piece of paper in his mouth.

I looked down. It was a colorful flyer, a line of bold type across the top:

【Payday Loans—Zero Interest, Instant Cash! We'll solve your money troubles!】

I frowned, snatched up the flyer, crumpled it, and shoved it into the trash.

"People like this have no shame anymore. Zero interest? Who are they kidding? Denise, don't you ever fall for it."

Denise gave a small "mm." "I know…"

I said a couple more words, then turned and headed for the water cooler.

Phil trailed at my feet. After seven or eight steps, he turned his head and glanced back.

I followed his gaze. Denise was crouched beside the trash can, quickly fishing the flyer back out, folding it a few times and tucking it into her pocket.

I looked away. My phone buzzed.

A message from Denise: "Cheryl, that payday loan on the flyer—really, you can't borrow from them?"

I stared at the screen for a couple of seconds, then let the corner of my mouth curve up and replied, "No. It's all a scam."

Denise didn't reply again.

But I knew she wouldn't listen.