Chapter 3The Accidental Upgrade

I have never seen a child’s face cycle through so many emotions in five seconds.

Lily stared at the laptop in my arms. Her jaw dropped. Her eyes widened. Then, realization hit her like a truck. Her voice trembled.

"Mr... Mr. Hayes? You bought the computer?" "I... uh... I was just making stuff up on the app!"

I handed the laptop to her. "Here. Take it." I paused. "Lying isn't a good habit, Lily. Also, tell your sister to refund my money."

Lily panicked. "Teacher! I can't refund it! If the money disappears, she'll know I sold it to you! She'll kill me!" She rubbed her face, fake crying. "Boohoo, she hits really hard. You don't want me to come to school with a black eye, do you?"

"I thought you said she was a cop? Cops beat people up?"

"What? Oh! No! She doesn't hit people. She only hits me. No, wait, she doesn't hit me either. She's actually really nice! A total sweetheart! Mr. Hayes, please..." Her lie was falling apart.

I sighed. "Lily, listen. You haven't given me the other computer—the one I actually paid for. If I don't get a computer, I need a refund. That's how math works."

Lily wiped her dry tears and looked up at me with puppy dog eyes. "Mr. Hayes... can you come to my house and get it?"