How to Win at High School by Owen Matthews

starting point guard on the Nixon basketball team. Alton is like six foot five.
    Plus, Alton has a job for Adam.
    â€œEconomics, man,” Alton says. “You know anything about it? Got a lab due on Monday and I totally bailed.”
    Adam hesitates. Literally the only thing he knows about economics is:
    Ten bucks a page beats minimum wage.
    But he doesn’t tell Alton that. He tells Alton to show him the assignment. It’s all gibberish.
    Craaaap.
    â€œI’ll pay extra,” Alton says. “Whatever you need to make this worthwhile. I fucked up the last one and they’re saying I can’t play ball until I get my average straight.
    â€œI need this, man,” Alton says.
    Adam looks at Alton. From the brand-new Air Jordans on his feet to the big chain around his neck. Alton has money. And Alton needs this, man.
    Payday.
    Except . . .
    Adam shakes his head. “Ten bucks a page,” he says. “Normal rates.”
    Adam doesn’t fleece him. Adam’s thinking long-term. Adam’s thinking, Another satisfied customer .
    â€œDon’t sweat it,” Adam says. “Just give me a little warning next time, okay?”
    Alton nods. Okay.
    â€œGood,” Adam says. “Now let me see that textbook.”

70.
    Oh yeah.
    We’re supposed to be talking about Victoria Lemieux.
    She’s more important than Alton Di Sousa.
    By, like, a lot.

71.
    So.
    Adam’s stuffing Alton’s economics assignment into his backpack. Thinking his weekend just got a hell of a lot busier.
    A hell of a lot more . . .
    economical .
    (Sue me.)
    Anyway, someone calls out his name. A girl. A pretty girl with long hair, ruler-straight, jet-black.
    Victoria Lemieux.
    She’s a freshman. One of Steph’s one hundred new Facebook friends.
    â€œHey, Adam,” she says from her locker. “Where are you running to?”
    Adam shrugs. “History,” he tells her.
    â€œOh.” Victoria kind of nods, like she’s waiting for the punch line. “Cool.”
    She’s cute, Adam notices.
    She’s really, really cute.
    But Adam figures he knows what’s up.
    â€œListen,” he says. “I don’t think I can help you.”
    Victoria makes a face. Screws up her nose. It’s cute . “What are you talking about?”
    â€œYou talked to somebody, right?” Adam says. “Sara or Jessie or Paul or somebody? The homework stuff? I just don’t thinkI could pull off the same stunt for a freshman, you know?”
    Victoria cocks her head. Looks at Adam like he just told her he’s never heard of Facebook. “I don’t know anything about any homework,” she says. “I just wanted to say hi. You’re Steph’s brother, right?”
    ( What? )
    Victoria catches the look on Adam’s face. Laughs. “Don’t people say hi where you come from?”
    â€œUh, yeah,” Adam says.
    â€œIt’s easy. Just say ‘Hi, Victoria.’”
    Adam blinks. “Hi, Victoria.”
    Victoria smiles back. She has an incredible smile. “Hi, Adam,” she says. “How are you?”
    â€œI’m good,” Adam says slowly. “How are you?”
    Victoria laughs. “See?” she says. “You’re learning.” She closes her locker. “But I have to get to math class. If you hadn’t wasted so much time blabbing, we could have talked more.”
    Adam says nothing.
    Adam just stares at her.
    Victoria giggles. “See you around, Adam.”
    â€œSee you,” Adam says. “And, uh, sorry .”
    Victoria locks her locker and starts off down the hall. “It’s okay,” she says, grinning. “You’ll figure it out.”

72.
    Victoria Lemieux adds Adam on Facebook the next day.
    â€œUgh,” Steph says when she catches him creeping Victoria’s profile. “I would really appreciate if you would stay away from my friends, Adam.”
    â€œShe