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My eyebrows furrow in confusion. “Buddy?”
Mrs. Stanford sighs, as if I’m exasperating her. “Yes, Miss Callahan. Your buddy. All new students at Windsor Academy have one. It looks as if you’re paired with Ainsley Davenport. She’ll show you around campus and ensure you have all necessary course materials.”
Why does that last name sound so familiar?
“I heard my name. This must be the noob.”
I turn toward the cheery, feminine voice to find a beautiful brown-haired girl about my age, sporting a big smile which I can’t help but return. She’s the only person besides Frank who’s shown me any sort of warmth since I stepped into this world.
She sticks out her hand. “I’m Ainsley and I’m guessing you’re Jasmine.”
I shake her hand. “I prefer, Jazz, actually.”
Ainsley nods. “Jazz... I like it. It makes you sound badass.”
“Miss Davenport!” the secretary scolds. “There’s no need to use such crass language.”
Ainsley rolls her eyes and nods toward the exit. “Let’s get this show on the road, shall we?”
I smirk. “Lead the way.”
As soon as we leave the office, Ainsley starts peppering me with questions. “So, what’s your deal, new girl? How’d you end up in rich kid prison? Rumor has it you’re Peyton Devereux’s sister. Is that true?”
“Stepsister,” I correct.
Ainsley’s eyes twinkle in amusement. “I’m sure that’s... interesting.”
“I just met her two days ago but so far, she hasn’t left the best impression.”
She laughs. “Yeah, don’t hold your breath waiting for that to happen. Peyton’s a stone cold bitch.”
“So you know her?”
She nods. “Everyone knows Peyton Devereux. She makes sure of it.”
“Sounds about right,” I mumble.
“First stop is the library so we can get your Chromebook. All of your course materials will be on that. That’s also where we’ll get your student ID.”
“Everything’s electronic? What about books?”
She shakes her head as she pushes the door open to head back outside. “Yeah, right. Do you think these overprivileged brats would carry around heavy books all day?”
My lips twitch. “I’m going to go out on a limb and say that you don’t like many people.”
“That’s not true.” I’m caught off guard when she loops her arm through mine, but I decide to go with it. “I just don’t like assholes and Windsor is filled with them.”
I laugh, immediately deciding I like this girl. “Good to know. So, I should probably watch my back then, huh?”
“You should definitely watch your back. Everyone seems to have a motive and nobody cares who they have to step on to get what they want.” She eyes me thoughtfully. “I hope you don’t have any major skeletons in your closet. I wouldn’t be surprised if some of these jerks have already run background checks on you to find blackmail material.”
“What?” My jaw drops. “Are you being serious? Why would anyone even know I exist?”
“You’re fresh meat—we don’t get new students very often. Most of us have known each other since kindergarten, or even before. You’re hot too, so just a heads up, most of the guys will probably try to fuck you—the straight ones anyway—and any chicks who want to fuck them will hate you. Not like they weren’t catty bitches already, though. This school has a serious overabundance of them.” Ainsley’s cheeks pinken as she gives me a sad smile. “I have a bit of a confession. I already knew your story before we met—I was just asking to make conversation. I’m sorry about your mom, by the way. Mine died when I was eight, so I know how bad it sucks.”
Her admission causes me to suck in a deep breath, but I don’t get the chance to say anything before we’re interrupted.
“Ainsley,” a growly voice calls, causing us to stop. “A moment.”
