In the Wake of Wanting Read Online Free Page A

las’smester?” she asks me.
    “We had to fulfill a Global Core requirement. It sounded interesting to me.”
    “’Cause you know nothing about poverty?”
    “What, you didn’t like the contributions I made to the class?” It was one of my favorite courses to date, as there was open discussion about charities and humanitarian ideas that should be adapted to help the impoverished and less fortunate in our country. From the time I was born, my parents had worked with a non-profit they’d formed and other organizations they were involved with that helped people who were in need. It was how my father had chosen to spend the fortune he’d made selling his internet startup. I’d spent considerable time in my volunteer work over the last three and a half years with the underprivileged citizens of New York and felt like I had a unique perspective as someone who understood their needs and had the means to do something about it. I also had grown up with Max, who lived most of his childhood below the poverty line. His stories alone inspired me to want to make sure other children wouldn’t have to grow up like he did. “Our professor is using my final paper to propose an initiative to the city this spring.”
    “I jus’always wondered if you signed up thinking we’d be learning about rich people like you instead of poor people.”
    “Ahhh,” I say with a nod. “No, I know how to read course descriptions. I’m a writer. Maybe you didn’t realize that, but I am expected to know how to read, as well.”
    “Sharp tongue, you’ve got on you. That never came out in class!” Her eyes are wide as she leans away from Asher. He watches me with a smirk across his face.
    “Because people are respectful in class. I never had to defend myself because no one brought up my wealth or made me out to be shallow because of it.”
    “Oh, you’re deep ?”
    “Do you always pick fights with guys when you’re drunk? You always seemed like a nice girl before.”
    “I don’t like rich boys like you.”
    I laugh aloud, looking curiously at Asher, who also comes from a well-off family. The Knoxland name isn’t well known like Holland is, which must be why she’s okay to settle back into his awaiting arm on the couch. I won’t spoil it for either of them.
    “Well, that sounds pretty shallow of you , then, not me.”
    “Trey’s a good guy,” my friend says, standing up for me. “Honestly. A real stand-up kind of guy.”
    But Paulina’s not listening anymore. “Thanks, man.” I decide not to hang around them anymore and find some other friends to talk to even though I’m most comfortable around Asher. I consider him my best friend here at Columbia. After one semester on The Columbia Daily Witness last year, he’d taken me under his wing and made me his personal project. As the president and editor-in-chief of our college newspaper, he already had decided that I would hold the title my senior year, too. It wasn’t his place to give me that title, but he was going to give me all the tools I needed to make sure I was ready. He knew I had the talent. Professor Aslon had told me in private that she thought I did, too, so I didn’t think his efforts were in vain.
    After the amount of time we’d spent working together on the paper, we’d naturally became fast friends. He reminded me a little of my high school friend, Callen, in his Brinlee days, when he was a little too arrogant for his own good and really didn’t have a grasp on everything he wanted in life; but Callen had a good heart. He was just a little misguided. I think Asher’s got a touch of ADHD and needs help focusing sometimes, but he’s passionate about everything he does, and I like that about him. He doesn’t do anything half-way.
    I run into Monica, my personal copy editor from last year on the paper, and her friend, Stacy, in the next room.
    “Treyyy!” Monica yells happily, holding her arms out to hug me. We embrace, and I greet Stacy the same way. “You