***
Lucky's meeting with the dean was scheduled for the following day. He rode the train back and forth between Manhattan and Queens for hours, trying to figure out what to do about his predicament. While waiting at Rockaway Boulevard for the train that would take him back to Manhattan again, Lucky watched the approaching lights and for just a moment, he thought about stepping off the platform into the path of the oncoming train. But he knew that suicide was not the answer, and that his family would be devastated. They would be disappointed in him for getting kicked out of the university, but his family would never recover if he killed himself.
When Lucky finally reached home, he was glad to see that both of his roommates were home, and he blurted out everything to Vijay and Raj. He was so ashamed to admit what he'd done, but he desperately needed their advice. Unfortunately neither Vijay nor Raj had any great ideas, but at least they were supportive and didn't judge him harshly.
"Lucky, you're just going to have to face Dr. Horwitch and tell him the truth. Tell him why you did it, tell him about your family, tell him everything. The best you can hope for is mercy," Vijay said sympathetically. Raj put an arm around Lucky, and Lucky cried into his shoulder.
"Vijay and I will go with you, Lucky. No matter what happens, we'll be there," Raj promised. His friends' support only made Lucky cry harder.