Trapped by Melody Carlson

late.
    I don’t have to do this. I shouldn’t do this. I won’t do this.
    But by 3:48 p.m., after acting perfectly normal as I dropped Mary Beth at her house, I am pulling into the 7-Eleven parking lot. My heart feels like it might jump right out of my chest, and my stomach feels like it’s twisted upside down and sideways. I know, without a doubt, this is wrong. Wrong, wrong, wrong. But it’s like I have no choice. Like my back is against the bell curve wall, and this is the only way out.
    I park my car on the backside of the convenience store. Far enough from the front door to go unnoticed, but near enough to watch the parking lot. I want to keep a low profile … just in case someone I know comes in here. For some reason I feel like it’s obvious that I am up to no good. Like it’s written all over my face: This girl is a liar and a cheater.
    I check my watch, counting the seconds and minutes ticking by. It’s not too late to run. I can still back out. Dirk might know my name and phone number, but it’s not like he’d come looking for me. At least I don’t think so.
    At 4:04 p.m., just as I’m ready to give up on what I know is a bad idea, I see a late-model black SUV pulling into the parking lot. The windows are tinted black so I can’t see who’s inside, but I have a feeling it’s him.
    To get a better look, I get out of my car and act like I’m going into the store. Maybe I’ll even buy a soda. But as I put my hand on the door, I hear someone calling my name. I turn to see the passenger-side window open slightly, and Dirk tells me to get inside.
    Suddenly I’m not sure about this. I was taught as a child never to get into a car with strangers. But I was also told not to lie, cheat, or steal. Shoving down the little voice inside me that’s saying “no, no, no!” I open the door and slide into the passenger seat.
    â€œHey, Dirk.” I nervously glance around at the slick interior, noticing that this ride comes with all the bells and whistles. “Is this how you usually do business?”
    He shrugs, studying me closely. “Depends.”
    â€œWell, I’ve never done this before … and maybe it’s not such a good idea.” I move my hand to the door handle, ready to bolt if he tries to take off with me still in here. “In fact, I think I’ve changed my mind, Dirk. Sorry to bother you like — ”
    â€œWait a minute. Are you chickening out?”
    I give him a sheepish smile. “Maybe.”
    â€œSo you’re willing to flunk out of some classes because you’re afraid?”
    â€œWell, I …”
    â€œLook, kid, it’s up to you. Go ahead and run if you want. It’s not my problem if you want bad grades. I got better things to do. But like I warned, don’t turn vigilante and think you’re going to turn me in. I could ruin you like that.” He snaps his fingers.
    The image of Stanford’s campus flashes through my mind, the proud expectant looks on my parents’ faces as we celebrated my acceptance letter. “No,” I say slowly. “I’m not leaving. I need your help.” Then I tell him the two classes I need answers for.
    â€œNo problem. I have computer programs for all the trig tests, and the AP Biology final is simple.”
    Just like that? He makes it sound so easy. I stare at him for a moment. He’s a little on the pudgy side, and his eyes seem small and beady on his broad, ruddy face. If I saw him on the street, I wouldn’t give him a second look, and there’s nothing about his appearance that would suggest he’s running an academic cheating business. Yet it seems obvious that’s what he does. I know this SUV doesn’t come cheap. And I can’t imagine why Kelsey would send me down the wrong path since I have the power to take her down.
    Still I wonder, How can I trust this creep? More than that I wonder, How