AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Okay. If you need any—”
“You’re hovering,” I point out, desperate to wrap things up.
“Good luck, Raine.” Trudy makes for the door. “I know that you’re not used to this”—she glances around the room—“but it could always be worse. Don’t forget that.”
As if I can.
With a stiff nod, I watch as she disappears out of the room and leaves me all alone.
Damn.
I’m here.
I’m really here.
At some posh boarding school for Oxfordshire’s spoiled rich kids.
What the hell was the board thinking when they agreed to send me here?
I drop onto the end of the bed and take in the room once more, a strange sort of anticipation ripples through me.
The last group home I was in, my room was barely much bigger than a walk-in wardrobe, and I had to share a bathroom with five other kids.
Five.
Having my own bathroom—even if it is only a small toilet and shower—will be worth it.
At least that’s what I tell myself as I sit there, in a strange room, in my posh new school, and try not to freak the fuck out.
* * *
I’m unpacking the last of my meagre belongings when there’s a knock at my door. As I make my way across the room, I half expect to see Trudy standing there, ready to impart more of her words of wisdom.
I don’t expect to find a pretty girl with gorgeous eyes and a warm smile.
“Hi, you must be Raine. I’m Tallulah. Mr. Porter asked me to stop by and check in on you.”
“Tallu—”
“You can call me Tally.” She smiles. “I’m Head Girl of All Hallows’. I—”
“You don’t need to do this,” I say, trying to spare us both the awkward tension crackling between us.
“Do what?” She frowns.
“This. Pretend to care. I’m not here to make friends so you can run along.”
“Good thing for you I’m not here to make friends either then, isn’t it?” She stares me down, not missing a beat. “I came to give you the tour. It’ll be a whole lot easier doing it now while campus is quiet.”
“The tour?”
“That’s what I said, didn’t I?”
“I’m not sure—”
“Look, I get it. You don’t want to be here. I don’t particularly want to be here either, but Mr. Porter expects me to give you a tour, so that’s what’s going to happen.” She takes a step back and arches a brow.
“Fine,” I find myself saying. Because something tells me she isn’t going to run off with her tail between her legs until I’ve at least stepped foot out of my room. And I guess it would help to get the layout of everything.
