The next day, we were waiting for the internship application requirements to be announced.
Just like yesterday, Cas was nowhere to be found; I guess he’d had enough of school for the week.
After lunch, they posted a six-question assignment as the basis for the application.
They’ll choose interns from those who provide the correct answers.
“Should we work on the problems together?” I asked at lunch.
Dom shook his head.
“Not this time,” he replied.
“If we don’t get in on our own merit, we’ll wash out fast anyway.”
“Barnaby & Sons only hires the best,” Anna said.
“And they might even offer a scholarship.”
“Fine then,” I smiled.
“But once we’ve turned them in, let’s compare notes.”
Since the weather was nice, I sat under a tree while Dom was at practice and started working through the first problem on a sheet of paper.
I had until Monday to finish the answers.
“Writing homework already?” a voice asked beside me.
I looked up to see Cas.
Without waiting for an answer, he sat down next to me.
“I’m applying for the internship at Barnaby & Sons.
I have to solve six problems by Monday.”
“Uh-huh,” he replied.
“I’m skipping that, even as a junior.
How long are you staying here?”
I shook my head.
“Just until Dom’s practice is over.”
“You guys go home together?” he asked curiously.
“We’re roommates,” I said.
“Originally, Anna lived with us too, but she moved in with Connor over the summer.
We have an empty room now, but we’re in no rush to find a new roommate.”
I don’t handle strangers well, especially guys.
The guy reached into his backpack and pulled out the mystery writer’s latest volume, but when he opened it, a pile of wrapped condoms tumbled out from between the pages.
I couldn’t help but laugh.
“These aren’t mine,” he noted quickly.
“They belong to my buddy, Leo.
I’m going to kill him.”
“Better with them than without them,” I laughed.
“So, you actually bought it.” I pointed to the book, and he nodded.
“Picked it up yesterday,” he replied, gathering the small packets and stuffing them back into his bag.
“I like the author; he’s good,” I said.
“Though sometimes the endings are a bit predictable.”
“Then this one will be disappointing too,” he said.
“I’ll still read it eventually.
I’ll get it from the library.”
“I’ll lend it to you,” he offered immediately.
“I’ll be finished with it soon.”
“Go ahead and read it,” I replied.
“The library copy is fine for me.”
I checked my watch.
“I have to go,” I said, standing up.
“Try to be nice to your car, and maybe you’ll actually make it home.” I laughed and walked over to Dom’s car.
We started driving home, and his car started instantly.
“I’ll put my savings toward Victor’s treatment,” Dom offered.
“He ended up in the hospital because of me.”
“He ended up there because of those bastards, not because of you or me,” I replied kindly.
“I’ll accept the help, but I’m going to pay you back.”
“The internship will pay well,” Dom said enthusiastically.
“If we get in,” I replied.