Beth

"This trick works every time, I swear," Sophie says as I drive us to Solaire Monday morning. "When Cole gives you advice, look straight into his eyes like this. No, Beth. Not with daggers. Soften those eyes. Now for eyelash power. Look directly into his eyes, then down gently, then back up. Now smile and say in the friendliest voice you can manage, 'Thanks. I'll consider that.'

I look over at Sophie and flutter my eyelashes.

"Thanks, Cole. That idea sucks," I say.

Sophie groans.

"What? I'm just being honest."

"I'm not asking you to lie. You're not saying you have to think Cole is giving you good advice. You're not saying you'll use it. You're just saying I'm listening to what you're saying and I respect your right to share it. He's just trying to be helpful, Beth. He doesn't know how to do it without being abrupt. So just let him know you're grateful that he cares enough to try. You don't need to be intimidated by him."

"You want me to flirt with him," I say flatly as I turn the steering wheel. "Sorry, but I skipped charm school, and I'm not about to start now. At least he's finally off my back more now that I've created the app."

"That's good, anyway. Hey, did you notice anything different about Isaac at the party?" Sophie asks.

"Other than him being overwhelmed by all those people? Not really," I say, trying to keep from blushing. "Why do you ask?"

"He's been acting weird ever since. I'm not even sure if he liked his birthday party. You don't think he's upset with me, do you?" she asks.

"Uh, I think you need to ask him," I say. If Sophie knew Isaac had tried to kiss me in the kitchen, she would be so hurt. At least I had put an end to it before it got too far.

"Yeah, you're probably right," she says.

When we arrive at Solaire, David informs us that another person will be eliminated from each group today. He has a surprise for all those who are not eliminated. We will get the opportunity to work with a video production company to film the story behind our products. The best part is we will be traveling to Nantucket Island to shoot the videos. The winners in four categories (education, energy, textile and agriculture) will present their products at the The Nantucket Project, an annual conference on the island that includes innovative decision makers and thought leaders.

I am excited to do this on multiple levels, not simply because I will see my family again (I've missed them terribly—especially the children), but to prove to myself that I can do this. I am especially keen to not be sent home and have my father rub my loss in.

Mike and I work all day polishing the app and preparing my pitch. I'm grateful for Mike. He's the positive counterbalance I need with Cole as my mentor. He also understands my drive to get the app perfect!

At last, the moment of decision arrives, and Selena, Walter (aka Boob Boy), and I stand before the judges. Selena is asked to present first.

Poised as always, she launches into her pitch.

"In a world that is becoming increasingly competitive, parents are desperate for solutions that give their children an edge into getting into the most prestigious universities. Everyone is familiar to the standard approaches. SAT tutors, prep tests, AP course, Academic summer camps. The latest approach? Academic drugs.

"Many high school students under the gun to score well on tests abuse ADHD drugs like Adderall. To a person suffering from ADHD, the drug calms them. To others, though, it gives them a jolt of energy and focus that can last for hours and give them an edge over fellow test takers. Some are dubbing this phenomenon as academic steroids.

"Unfortunately, it is surprisingly common for kids to succumb to the pressure to take drugs to succeed, and it's as easy as faking the symptoms of ADHD, or bypassing the prescription altogether and buying the drugs directly from friends. It is so easy to cheat. Academic cheating has now become a very real problem, mostly because these drugs can be addictive. Students often overuse them with devastating side effects. Some have even overdosed and killed themselves.

"I observed these things with alarm as I while attending Princeton. You had to be brilliant to get into the school, but for these kids, being accomplished wasn't enough. When you realize at least half of your classmates are taking drugs to have an advantage over you and no one knows about it, it's a scary thought. I think that's why a lot of kids join in. They don't want to be at the disadvantage. I didn't want the other kids having an unfair advantage over me, so that's why I developed my app.

"What if I were to tell you there is a natural way to mimic the effects of this drug without the scary side effects? What if I were to tell you your child could pull out his tablet or cell phone, fire up an app, and work with her brain in a way that allows her to perform on a higher plane that the average brain? We've tested EliteEdge, and the results are astounding. On average, students who used this app scored up to 30% higher than when they were tested without it!"

One of the judges, an older man with a rumpled suit coat and a white goatee steeples his fingers at his chin.

"How does it work?" he asks.

"You spend about 10-15 minutes doing a combination of mental exercises and listening to certain music clips right before a test or presentation, and your brain is stimulated to perform at a higher level."

"How much does the app cost?" another judge asks. She is female, with brown hair in a severe cut just above her shoulders.

"$999.99," Selena says.

The judges gape at her.

"So expensive!" the female judge says.

"Not really," Selena says. "If Apple let me charge more, I would. This product is easily worth more. It can be customized for the individual and used indefinitely for any sort of test or presentation. Parents pay huge amounts for private schools, academic camps, tutors. Why not this?"

"Are there any other similar apps charging this much?" the first judge asks.

"Actually, there is. The BarMax is an app created by Harvard Law school alumni. It is a bar exam review course which they claim has given their students a pass rate of over 20 points higher than the state average. They charge the same for their product as well. This product has limited application, though, whereas my app has limitless potential."

"And what's to keep someone from ripping you off and charging less?" he persists.

"I own the patents on the app," Selena says. "If someone wants to develop a similar app, they would have to license it from me. If they don't, we can get their apps removed and sue them if necessary."

"Have you had any interest in the app?" the third judge asks.

"We have. I have 200 presales, and that's just the beginning."

The judges seem impressed by this. I run the numbers in my head. She's already raised $200,000? Whoa. Selena's already proved demand for the product, while I still haven't raised a single dollar. The female judge speaks.

"The main concern I have about your product is the elitist factor. Doesn't your product give an unfair advantage to children of wealthy parents? You may not have the negative side effects of a drug, but you are still essentially cheating by allowing the children of wealthy parents an opportunity that the others don't have. It makes the playing field uneven."

"The playing field has always been uneven," Selena says. "There are so many things that can make academics challenging that are beyond our control: bad home environments, learning disorders, abuse, poor teachers, etc. Parents will always do what's in their children's best interest. If you eliminate all the ways that allow the playing field to be uneven, I will consider your argument. We can't just hand this product to anyone, or it loses its value. This product only holds value if we cater to the high-achievers. We have to be very selective about our clients."

"Selective? As in, open to anyone who can afford it?" the judge with the goatee says.

"Yes, they have to be able to afford it," Selena agrees firmly. "We need funding to pay the employees and continue to improve the product."

"Time's up. Demonstrate your product," says David's secretary, Claire. She is acting as the moderator, and spending most of the time making eyes at Cole. He doesn't seem to mind the attention. Men. So predictable.

Selena takes us through her app. I have to admit, it is very impressive and professional-looking.

It's my turn now. I set up my charts, take a deep breath and begin.

_______________

Please click that star and show this story some love!

So, seems to me like Beth has some stiff competition with Selena. What do you think? 

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Dedication for this chapter is going out to @NiiXii_B. I so appreciate all your comments and support on Restless Hope! 

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