Anything for an A
With time running out, 18-year-old senior Kelsey must get straight A’s to qualify for a scholarship to college. After living several years on the street with her poverty-riddled parents, she’s been taken in by a man she calls Uncle Greg — but only until she graduates from high school. With four weeks left, Kelsey has to prove that she has a 4.0 GPA to earn an exclusive scholarship, or risk ending up back on the streets.
At Grand Central High — a school infamous for scandals and investigations — Kelsey’s task won’t be easy. Disadvantaged by years of missed schooling, she doesn’t know enough of the material to excel in every subject. But she does know how to leverage her friendships, and she isn’t above using charm and persuasion to get what she wants. Can Kelsey really turn things around in time to win the A-Plus Scholarship, or will she lose her last chance at a future?
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📖 Sample Chapter: Monday Afternoon – Kelsey Arriving Home from School
Kelsey Smith stepped out of Carl’s car in front of 201 Church Street. As usual, Greg forgot to pick her up from school, and it was almost four in the afternoon. If Carl hadn’t stayed late to talk to the English teacher, Mr. Ingles, Kelsey would have been forced to walk home. While it was only about a mile, it was a mile farther than she wanted to walk after running up and down stairs all day.
Kelsey walked up the sidewalk and opened the faded black screen door. The brown-painted security door's handle didn't budge when she attempted to turn it. After pulling out her key, she unlocked the handle and the deadbolt before testing it again. The lock had a habit of retracting the bolt ninety-nine percent of the way, leaving just enough lip to jam. Today, it was working correctly.
Once the door was open, she waved to Carl to let him know she was fine and going inside. However, she paused with the screen door closed and watched until Carl's car disappeared from view. He had asked if she wanted company until Greg arrived home. She had not, but Carl insisted on staying since this was a less-than-stellar neighborhood. Kelsey politely refused his offer, reminding him that she grew up homeless on the street and needed no additional protection. Now, she wanted to make sure he had taken her refusal seriously. It looked like he had.
Kelsey closed and dead-bolted the door before turning and looking over at the couch. Greg wasn't on the couch, and after listening for a moment, she realized the house was silent. Greg was not home, and Kelsey made a mental note to kick his ass.
To make sure he truly wasn't home, Kelsey turned on the lights and walked through the downstairs before checking upstairs. She saw no indication that he was home or had been home since he dropped her off at school. This was weird. He was usually home by three. Greg just never bothered to stop by Grand Central High on his way home to pick her up. It irked Kelsey. She’d lived with him for the last five years.