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They can’t fix us.
“Yeah,” I reply as I start to pull away. “Me too.”
“Kenny, don’t.”
“You should get some rest, Conner,” I say, fighting back the wave of tears threatening to fall. “That’s going to hurt tomorrow.”
Abandoning the soda and chicken, I turn and retreat toward my room.
But as I reach the stairs, I’m almost certain I hear his voice.
“Not as much as losing you.”
“So, what do you think?” Hadley asks me as I take in the dorm room. Except, it doesn’t really resemble a dorm room at all. It’s more like a five-star hotel—not that I’ve ever been to one. The carpet is thick and spongy beneath my feet, and the furniture looks expensive and complements the pale beige walls.
It’s a far cry from Warren’s bedroom in his dad’s trailer.
“Kennedy?” she asks, and I blink over at her.
“It’s... nice.” The word comes out tight.
“You have your own bathroom, and there’s a communal kitchen down the hall, but I never really go in there.”
“Yeah, I’m not going in there either.”
She offers me a reassuring smile. “It’ll be okay, you know. I’m right next door, and the girls aren’t that bad if you keep to yourself. At least you have a few days to settle in before school starts.”
As if I can forget.
The last place on Earth I want to go is Sterling Prep, but I don’t have much of a choice.
“Kennedy,” James Jagger steps into the room, taking the air with him, “this is Valerie Jones, the school guidance counselor and cheer squad coach.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Kennedy.” The woman steps forward.
“Hey,” I inch back. There’s something
about the way they’re watching me that rubs me the wrong way, like I’m a caged animal about to bolt. Hadley moves closer to me, offering me another smile.
“It’s okay,” she says softly. “Miss J is good people.” Something passes over her face.
“I just wanted to introduce myself and let you know my door is always open. Principal Vager would have been here to welcome you, but he’s currently out of town.”
“I... uh, okay.” This is awkward.
I don’t want to be here.
But I don’t want to be back in the Heights, either.
“Well, I’ll let you get settled in. You’re in good hands.” She flicks her gaze to Hadley. “When the semester starts, I’ll check in again, okay?”
I nod. It’s all I can manage.
“You’ll be okay?” James asks.
“We’ll be fine, thank you,” Hadley answers for me.
“Very well. You’re welcome at the house whenever you like, Kennedy.”
