The Plan 5

When he stepped onto the campus of Philips Academy, he felt that he was one step closer to his immediate goal, to go to Harvard. It was no longer about what his mother wanted. It was what he wanted. He wanted to see what he could do academically and how far he could go in America.

He excelled at Philips Academy. During the summer, his mother would make him read the best American essays. He consciously adopted the styles of some of these essayists and became quite a profiscient essay writer. He became friends with a few Asian students. He never studied with them though. Somehow, he felt that he had to do it alone.

One day, as he was studying in the library, a few students approached him:

"You have a minute."
He looked at the students who were talking to him.
"Sure," he replied.

"Always studying, Derek..."
"What do you want?"
"We're inviting you to a party..."
"Why?" he asked.

They looked at each other and then looked back at Derek.

"Derek, this is a chance for you to meet some very attractive Korean girls."
"So when's the party?"
"This weekend at my father summer house in Nantucket."
"I have a European history test next Monday," Derek asserted proudly.

One of the students pulled out a copy of the test and showed it to Derek.

"Look, I wish I had all the time in the world, but I don't. I have social functions I have to attend and things I need to do. I need someone who can help me out with my school load."

"I'll think about it."

Derek thought it was wonderfully ironic that an American was asking for a Korean's help with his schoolwork. At the same time, he was very curious about the party at Cape Cod. He had never been to the Cape.

He decided to attend the party.