I once again find myself laying on the roof with no idea what to do about Elizabeth. How do I explain to her that I'm just trying to make sure she doesn't end up like me? I can't exactly call Sully at this time of night. His doctor was very specific about getting at least 9 hours of uninterrupted sleep each night. Instead, I try to channel him and think, What would Sully do?

The North Star seems to twinkle as I'm transported back to when I was 18 years old.

35 years earlier...

I sharpen a third pencil, simultaneously checking my watch. I need to leave now if I want to be on time. I jog to Sully's room and knock. There's a groan and some rustling from the other side of the door. "The sun's not even up yet..." he complains.

"I'm leaving for school."

"It's Saturday, dimwit."

"I'm taking a test, asshole."

"Oh. When are you getting back?"

"One-ish."

"Alright, have fun."

I roll my eyes. "Sweet dreams, princess."

I recount my pencils in my car and look over my ticket. The SAT people at school were super serious about bringing the ticket. I don't want to mess up my chances. My friend is going to lend me a calculator when I get there.

Over the summer, I received a letter from NYU in the mail. It gave me details on their history program. I read the pamphlet in my room with the door locked, eyes wide with excitement. They have such an expansive collection of books and resources. Their professors have written amazing books about some of the most controversial topics. It's an incredible opportunity. There's just two barriers in my way: the SAT and Sully. I don't want him to be disappointed or mad at me. I love my adventures with Sully, but maybe I'm meant to do something different. I'll never know until I try.

Hours later, I drive home dazed, brain fried. Sully opens the door for me after hearing my car growling in the parking lot. "How'd it go, kid?"

"Eh."

"Eh's better than ugh," he laughs. "How 'bout some lunch while you recharge your noggin."

Sully takes us to our favorite hole-in-the-wall sports bar. He orders me a chocolate milkshake with extra whipped cream and a beer for himself. He refrains from hitting on the bartender in favor of talking to me. I'm in the middle of taking a sip when he says, "So, the SAT, huh?"

I nearly choke on my drink. "How did you-"

"I'm not stupid, Nate. I was curious about this test of yours, so I did some digging. Shallow digging, I might add."

"Sully, I..."

"It's okay, kid, I'm not upset. I was just wondering why you took it in the first place. You don't need it to graduate."

"I know, I was just curious about what I'd get."

Sully shakes his head and sighs. "I don't know why you lie to me."

"I'm not-"

"Yes, you are. I see it in your eyes. And I found that NYU pamphlet under your bed. You're interested in college?"

I nod meekly. "I'm sorry, Sully."

"Sorry?" He scoffs. "Why are you sorry?"

"I know you don't want me to go to college."

He rubs his forehead like he always does when I'm not catching on fast enough. "I don't mind you going to college. In fact, I encourage it. I will support you in whatever you do. That's what friends do, kid. As long as you're enjoying it, I'm okay with it."

I smile a small smile. "Thanks, Sully."

"Don't mention it." He picks up his beer and motions for me to do the same with my milkshake. He proposes a toast. "To the future and whatever it may bring."

"To the future." We clink our glasses together and knock back our drinks. I make a face. "Ah, brain freeze."

Sully laughs and rolls his eyes. "For such a smart kid, you'd think you would act like less of an idiot."

"Shut up."

I shake away the memory, feeling the need to lay down for some shut eye. As much as I tease Sully, I'm getting old, too.

Climbing down the side of the house, I reflect on Elizabeth and her stubborn ways. I see myself in her more and more every day. She's going to do whatever she sets her mind to because that's what I would do. Even though I dropped out of school after three semesters and restarted my thieving career, I was given the freedom to pursue whatever I wanted with the blessing of my mentor/best friend. I think it's only right that I give Elizabeth the same. And like I had Sully, she has Elena and I to fall back on if things don't go as she planned.