"Because I can't afford rent. The dorm is free aside from utilities."
Her eyes reddened.
Aunt Lucy chimed in. "Isabella, you and your parents need to talk this out..."
"Talk about what?" I snapped. "Aren't I doing exactly what they wanted? I'm avoiding suspicion. Mom, you shouldn't be seen here. People might say I used connections to get into this school, and we wouldn't want to smear Professor Swanson's reputation, would we?"
I brushed past them and ran for the bus.
If I missed this one, I'd have to take a taxi. Until my debt was paid, every penny had to be spent with surgical precision.
A shout rang out.
"Watch out!"
*BANG.*
An electric scooter whipped around a blind corner and slammed into me.
Instinctively, I curled around my laptop bag, taking the brunt of the impact. The pavement rushed up. I rolled.
My laptop was safe.
Fire shot up my left leg. My ankle—twisted. The pain so sharp I couldn't stand.
"Daughter! Are you okay? Don't move!" Mom screamed, rushing over. "I'm calling an ambulance! You—watch where you're going!"
I gritted my teeth against the agony. "Give me the phone first. I need to send the files for the meeting."