“Accusing you of not applying yourself? God—I’m insulted for you. To fight me on that? They don’t know anything about you.” Ro swings back toward me, finger wagging toward my face. “Don’t listen to a single thing they said. You’re so smart and kind and I’m proud of you, so… So screw them! You’re better than all of them anyway, Matty. Smarter, too.” I should laugh, but I can’t breathe.

