The Calculated Risk

Chapter 2 Part 1

Put your brains to good use! Dye your lab coat a bright color. Think Cotton Candy and remind those scholars that science can be fashionable.

She attended presentations from physicians who worked in different states. She then went to labs that introduced her to chemicals and equipment.

At home, after noisy dinners, she would spend an hour and a half reading to stay on top of her learning.

Latoya took particular interest in the study of genes and exploring the potential for genetic engineering all over the world. Her first interest in traits happened in the fourth grade when she realized that her mother’s hair didn’t look like hers.

She was always full of questions when it came to her biological father. So she worked hard to put the pieces together in her mind of who she was.

She found her flow in her classroom. She learned from a wise teacher that the second row is the best place to be.

Her teacher informed her that the first row had a greater potential to seat selfish students competing to perform. While the third row was full of students who were unsure of their academic success, resulting in messy note-taking. However, the second row was the best route to find study buddies, over-prepared analysts, and the answers to most of your questions.

She walked into every classroom and sat in the second row, using her Cornell note-taking system to win the favor of Kim, who became her newest confidant.

This warm Tuesday, the professor talked about technology projects. Her phone vibrated. Revealing Latoya had not responded to Lacey’s texts in 3 days.

Ava, a lab partner, who had originally put points on Lacey re-shared Toya’s selfie and tagged Tatum.

She then put Tatum’s handle in the school chat. Once their mutual friends had seen Toya knew someone with real influence, dare points were sky rocketing. Today Lacey put her coins in the slot. Not only did she do the audacious dare Toya wrote, but she recorded a live performance for everyone to see and she missed it because of her lectures.

#CringeSummer was her hook, and boy, did she know how to gather a following.

Lacey sent countless messages reaching out

We are tied fam.

Check your i********:.

My left stroke just went VIIIIRAAAAL!

I’m pretty sure my stepmom’s a p********e…. s**t just got real.

She swiped out, her Discord notifications lighting up.

Ava: WOOOOW… Lacey came in swinging

Jordan: lol i’m tipping Lacey my last 5 points. that courage deserves it

Jordan: /give @Lacey 5

Sam: okay but seriously… Lacey + guitar + that crowd = ICONIC Mia: facts. can we get a replay or is this memory-only?

😭 Lena: /give @Lacey 20

Blaine: Total tally: Lacey — 230 Dare Points, LaToya — 165 Dare Points

“Ms. Castillo, would you care to tell your classmates what is in the news today?” The professor's voice, a deep baritone emanated from the very bottom of the classroom floor.

“Pardon me?” Toya heard him, but she just wasn’t quick on her feet. “Your head is buried in your cell phone; therefore, I assume you received notification of some important event. News alone should occupy your attention for such a long time, correct?”

Swallowing her lips part, “Correct. My apologies, Professor Noor.” Toya’s apologies were empty to him. “Turn in your phone.” He commanded. “Let this be a lesson class, to let the siren song of the screen silence the world before you is to mistake a fleeting distraction for a lasting opportunity.” With this completely confusing proverb, he pointed toward the door. A strangled cry escaped her. Leaving her teetering on the edge of fury and utter disbelief—he was kicking her out.

Rapidly gathering her books Kim placed her hands on her notes. “I got you, girl. I’ll copy down what you missed.” LaToya clasped her hands together,“Thank you.” Even with Kim’s support, Toya left vanquished.

“You heard the man turn in your device." The reminder was an immediate order. Barely closing the door, the condescending tone of the counselor met her. Tatum’s friends warned her about Counselor Sonny being a tight a*s, but she never laid eyes on him. It was the guy from the train station! He was standing with an air of quiet authority. Gone was the casual demeanor and crisp white tidy shirt; in its place was the crisp, professional bearing of someone clearly in charge. A knot of surprise (and slight embarrassment) tightened in her stomach. This was going to be interesting.

Without resistance, she placed her phone in his hand. Their fingers brushed. Counselor Sonny had a caramel complexion, freckles around his nose and under his eyes, dark, disconnected eyes, and a curly fro. Without making any eye contact, he spun around, concealing her phone and locking it inside a lockbox. The silver key dangling inside the lock.

“When do I get it back?” the separation heavy on her heart. He looked, the gaze like a predator sizing up prey. “Whenever Professor Noor approves. You can leave now,” without eye contact, he sat down, punching away on his keyboard. “Professor Noor?! You must not have heard the way his simile lit me on fire in there.” He continued typing, the silence he sat comfortably in, shoved waves of anger down her spine.

A slight smirk appeared in the corner of his lips. His disconnected-looking eyes met hers. “Wasn’t a simile. Was a metaphor with a slight proverb attached.” He must not have remembered her to be the girl looking at the map approximately a week ago.

He was icy, the complete opposite of that bright, pearly smile he showcased. Maybe his feelings were hurt because she rejected his advances at the train station. Toya did not need some arrogant know-it-all making her appear foolish right then. Disregarding the counselor’s correction, she turned to enter class. “You can’t go back. You’re dismissed for the morning period.”

Exasperated, she cried, “Oh, come on! Classes don’t start until another hour. What am I supposed to do?” Counselor Sonny closed his laptop, and the shut of his device sounded like a clap of thunder. Rising from his seat he met her; he was much taller than she remembered. “This is a high-stakes endeavor and a chance to stand among the best — we don't take this lightly." The chastisement of the counselor left her defensive. Combatively she inquired “Ok. Got it. So where am I going to go?”

“I thought you were the girl who didn’t need a map.” A slight tease was in his voice. She glanced upward; she couldn’t tell if he was being snarky or playful. So he did remember her. The expression was a sly smirk tugged at the corner of his lips; his eyes narrowed just enough to hint at mischief. It was the kind of look that mocked with precision—sharp, teasing—but lingered just long enough to suggest he was daring her to challenge him.

“Go grab a breakfast smoothie,” he suggested. He turned abruptly, his peppered cologne filling her nose. “Get some coffee, go read up on today’s lectures. Do something effective.” Feeling slightly confused by the interaction, placing her hands in her pockets and devoid of snarky remarks, she walked away.