London Prep Series

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Friday, September 20th

Don’t deserve to be sent away.

11am

“Book me a car to the airport because I don’t want to ride with either of you.” As the words leave my lips, I watch my parents’ eyes turn into saucers. 

Good. They deserved that. 

What else did they expect? That they could just ship me off to London for three weeks and I wouldn’t be mad? 

Wrong. I am pissed, and I intend to make sure they know it. 

I don’t bother stomping to my room. I’ve moved beyond throwing a fit. 

Of course, my dad follows me. 

“You know, this is meant to be a new and exciting experience for you,” he says, moving into my room shortly after me. 

I grab one of my duffels, shoving in a stack of perfectly folded sweaters. “No, Dad, this is the ultimate betrayal.”

“Mmhmm.” My dad lets out a deep sigh, his eyes softening, and for the first time, it seems like he’s finally considering my feelings. But his calm demeanor isn’t going to change my attitude. “Most kids would die for an opportunity like this, Mallory. Going to a different city, experiencing a different culture. Getting away from their parents,” he urges. 

Touché, Dad. Touché. 

“But I’m not most kids. I like my life. I like living in New York. Besides, I’ve been to London. I saw the sites. Drank the tea. And I’m good, honestly,” I say a little nicer. “I appreciate the gesture, but I would rather stay here.” 

“Listen,” he replies, shifting from my doorway and taking a seat at the foot of my bed. “Your mother and I have agreed. We think, with time, you’ll see this as a good thing. And it’s only three weeks. What’s the worst that could happen?” 

My dad gives me a half-hearted smile, tilting his head a little to the side like a puppy, and for a moment, I want to believe him. But the thing is, he didn’t ask for my input. He and my mom made this decision without me. Without asking if it was what I wanted. Without seeing it from my point of view. I’m feeling very frustrated about the whole situation.

“Dad, you’re supposed to be the parent, telling me all the worst things that could happen. Where is Mom when I need her? I’m sure she would be able to list all the terrible things that could happen to me abroad. Mom!” I start to shout, but my dad’s laughter catches my attention. 

“You will be fine, Mal. You’re strong and independent. A little mouthy, but sass isn’t always a bad thing.”

“I understand that I sound like a brat. But come on, Dad. I love New York. I’m an overall good child, aren’t I? I don’t deserve to be sent away.” I pout. 

Because this situation is serious. 

I’m supposed to leave tomorrow!

“Honey,” my dad says, patting my hand, “you’re not being sent away like a bad kid. I know how much you love it here, but just try to give London a chance. If I didn’t think that you could handle it, I wouldn’t push you to go.” His bluish-gray eyes settle on my own, and it’s almost like I’m looking at myself because my dad and I are so similar. 

“We’ve been to London before, so it’s not going to be this amazing, new experience. And truthfully, I prefer Shanghai.” 

My dad takes his hand back, but then a smile comes to his face, causing his eyes to crease in the corners. “May I ask why?” 

“London is boring,” I say, nodding my head at him. 

“Really?” he replies, taken aback. “That’s interesting you think so. See, most people would say London is rather vibrant.” 

My dad’s eyes glisten at me, and I know he’s taunting me. 

I give him an eye roll in reply. 

“Fine,” I say, throwing my hands into the air. “You and Mom win. I will go to London, seeing as I do not have a choice and am being forced to. But it doesn’t change how I feel. I’m still very upset with you both, and I don’t see myself getting over it anytime soon.” 

A smile spreads across my dad’s face. “I appreciate your honesty, sweetie. Just promise me to give it a real, wholehearted shot when you’re there.” 

“I don’t do anything halfway, do I?”

“No, you don’t,” my dad says with a chuckle. He leans toward me, placing a kiss on my cheek as he rises from the bed. 

Despite what he and my mother believe, I think doing a three-week student exchange in London is a terrible idea. 

But there’s something even worse I have to do right now. I have to call my best friend, Anna, and tell her. I’ve known for a couple of weeks that this was going to happen, but I really thought that I could get my parents to change their minds. Usually, I’m able to convince them and get my way. 

But apparently, not this time. 

“Hey,” I say when Anna answers her phone. “I have bad news.”

“What’s wrong?” she asks. 

I imagine her sitting on her bed in her newly redecorated room, staring out her window at Central Park. 

I don’t say anything for a moment, not sure how to tell her. 

“I’m leaving school,” I start, but I don’t get out anything else because she interrupts me.

“Mallory! What are you talking about? Why would you do that? We have so many plans for this year! Are you moving?” Her words spill out, and my stomach twists when I hear them. 

“No. My parents decided that it would be an enriching experience to send me to London through the school’s exchange program,” I say, already feeling upset again. 

“When do you leave?”

“Tomorrow,” I say softly. 

“And you are just now telling me?” she replies, obviously hurt. “But you can’t. I mean, you’ll miss everything important. We are going to that art gallery opening on Tuesday. We have reservations booked for Nori next week, and goodness knows how long it will take to get another reservation if you can’t come.”

“I know. I’m sorry,” I tell her. 

“Ohmigawd, Mallory! You’re going to miss Matthew Miller’s party. His parents will be in Aruba, remember? You’re supposed to flirt with him and make him fall in love with you because he’s Anthony’s best friend. That way we would be best friends who date best friends. And how are we supposed to do that if you’re gone?” she asks, sounding distressed. 

Because Anna’s like that. She makes all these plans in her head.

She continues her rant, and I realize that she’s right. Life will go on here without me. That’s what my parents just don’t get. 

I shove a book into my duffel before dropping it onto the floor and falling dramatically onto my bed. 

I notice Anna has stopped speaking. 

“It’s only three weeks,” I say for lack of a better reply.

She lets out a deep sigh. “I’m sorry. I should be happy for you. I mean, London. London is awesome, right? A new school. New friends to make. And more importantly, boys with sexy accents.”

“I doubt I will meet anyone fun. The British are kind of stuffy, aren’t they?”

“Maybe. Did they give you an itinerary? Have you already decided what to take? You’ve got to pack cute London clothes. And shoes. Lots of shoes. And probably wellies. Doesn’t it rain there all the time? Are you sure you don’t need me to come over and help you with your wardrobe?”

“No, thanks. I’ve got it covered.”

“You know, I think it would be great to go to a different school for a few weeks, where no one knows you. I mean, it’s not like you’ll ever see them again, which might be fun.” She sounds like she’s trying to convince herself. 

She always talks out her problems, thinking on the fly. Unlike me, who plans out everything in my life.

I sigh loudly. 

“Mallory, seriously, you should try to have fun.”

“Now, you sound like my dad. I’ve gotta go pack. I’ll text you—probably every day because I’ll be bored to death.”

We end the call, and I consider what both she and my dad said. 

It is only three weeks, and who cares what anyone at this stupid London school thinks of me? It’s not like I’ll ever see them again. 

That thought builds in my mind. I’ll never see them again. 

I smile to myself. Screw it. Maybe I will have some fun. Go to London and blow off a little steam. And then I’ll come back, having appeased my parents, and move on with my life. 

I pick up the pamphlet that my father left on my dresser. Kensington School. Staring back at me is a group of overly joyful teens, all in matching uniforms. 

Fakers. 

They’re sitting around, looking at one another as though they have never wanted to be anywhere else. Just the sight of it makes me roll my eyes. And what’s worse is, apparently, that’s supposed to be me in a few days. 

I let out another sigh before pulling myself up off my bed and grabbing another empty suitcase to fill. 

This Bundle includes books 1-7 of the London Prep series.

• The Exchange
• The Boy's Club
• The Kiss
• The Key
• The Party
• The Country House
• The Choice