Page 5

He arches a brow. “That’s unfortunate. We have an excellent dance and cheer program here, Miss King. I think with your experience, you’d fit in well with that group of young ladies. Would you like to reconsider?”

Dressing up and prancing around for others makes my toes curl. I’ll do nothing that has me objectified. I refuse to put myself in that position again. If I am ever famous for anything, it won’t be based on my looks.

I shake my head. “No, thank you.”

He leans back in his chair and presses his lips together, watching me. I’m not sure what my father told him, so I say nothing. But the look in his eye is like the busy body ladies I saw staring at me on Main Street. He knows something, but I’m not budging.

“I see, Miss King. Our other programs are almost full, I’m afraid, and this school requires each student to have an extra curricular. If it’s not dance or cheer, then what are you suggesting?”

I straighten my back. “I want to join the newspaper.”

“The newspaper?”

Annoyance tugs at my gut and a flush hits my cheek. I’m unsure why he finds this so shocking—it’s like this place breeds conformity. “You have one, don’t you?” I ask.

He nods. “We do. A good one, too. But I’m confused how the newspaper fits into your academic plans. You have no history or experience writing that I can see, and your father told me you are a remarkable dancer. We were hoping to have you try out for the competitive team.”

I blink a few times. “That’s not what I want, and it’s my choice, yes? I turned eighteen last spring, so I don’t think my father has any say in it.”

He lifts his chin. “It is your choice. The newspaper demands a lot of work. The group of students are very dedicated, with an overbearing and highly qualified new student editor. I’m sure Nigel will have no problems pointing it out to everyone if you can’t perform.”

I grind my teeth. “I understand, sir, but if there’s an opening, I’d like to join the newspaper club.”

He snaps the folder closed and feigns a smile. “Very well then, the newspaper it is. What role do you see yourself having?”

“I want to be a writer.”

He gives me a knowing nod. “They meet in the afternoons, so you can join their meeting today.” He snaps his fingers, apparently done checking in with me. His secretary appears moments later, followed by a stout, pretty-faced girl with mousy brown hair.

“London, this is Jade. I’ve asked her to help you for the first couple of days. She will show you around and make sure you feel comfortable here.” He turns to Jade. “London has also decided to join the paper so you two will see a lot of each other.”

She peers at me through her bright brown eyes and the edges of her lips tip upward. She tilts her head slightly as she takes in my rugged appearance, and her hair bounces at every subtle movement. Everything about her is shiny and round, and she exudes innocence.

Mr. Grandle rises and extends his hand out to me, which I shake about as confidently as Jade’s smile. “Enjoy your time here, London. Try to have a good year.”

New Ocean Prep is worse than I thought.

I’ve avoided this school for my entire life, and probably for the better. The kids here seem dull, if not typical, and completely conformed to their lives of privilege and prosperity. They don’t actually know how the world works beyond their dark walls and shiny cars. They stroll through the hallway in their preppy uniforms on marble floors, staring at their trophies in gold-plated display cases, as if they need a reminder about how amazing they are.

The bell rings and Jade walks up beside me as I head out of math class—a class she is in, too. “London, wait up,” she says excitedly and pulls her backpack over her shoulder.

At least Jade seems nice and somewhat normal.

I pause as a stream of people walk past me and let her catch up. She will walk me everywhere today—Mr. Grandle instructed her to—but I don’t want to pressure her to hang out with me.

I cast my gaze downward. “It’s okay, Jade. You’ve already brought me to all my classes this morning. If you have things to do, I understand. You don’t have to stay with me all day.”

She frowns. “No, no. Don’t be silly. It’s a good opportunity for you to meet everyone. We have our first meeting this afternoon, and we usually eat with each other at lunch. I can introduce you to Nigel. I bet he’ll be excited to have you.”

Jade visibly tenses as a few guys from our class strut by.

“Hey, new girl,” one of them coos. “Wanna come to my car and eat lunch with me?” Jade blushes and I ignore them, just like I did during the entire class as they were whispering profanities in my ear during the lecture. I don’t engage, but they keep leering as they walk by, like I’m a shiny toy they can’t touch but really want to play with.

“You can come, too, Jade,” the other one taunts, and they both chuckle.

“Sorry about them,” Jade says, frowning. “They are part of the hockey team, and, unfortunately, all the athletes in this school act like that. The hockey team is the worst, though. They’re so cocky and arrogant.”

“I’ll happily ignore them,” I say, smiling. She shouldn’t be the one to apologize for their shitty behavior. I resist the urge to turn around and punch them. From Jade’s reaction, I can tell this is a normal occurrence for her, and I’m immediately protective of her.