It’s the last thing I expect, and it’s the worst thing she could ask.
I can’t imagine the disaster that would follow if I attempted to pass myself off as a college student. Colleen did a lot for me, but she wasn’t a teacher, and she didn’t try to be. A girl with no formal education to speak of has no business enrolling in college.
“Are you okay?” Lana asks, concern in her dark eyes.
I nod quickly. “I um … I wouldn’t know where to begin with studying. I don’t have the smarts for classes. I thought this was a school for Omegas?”
“It is,” she admits, “but I’m in charge, so if you wanted to learn something I could set something up for you. As a student, you’d be entitled to a suite in the academy. If you’re not sure about studying, we might be able to offer you work on campus, and that would also entitle you to a room here, if you wanted to stay.”
I straighten in my seat. “Work? What kind of work?”
She smiles. “Well, I need more administrative staff to deal with paperwork, but we could also use a new kitchen hand and I’m willing to consider other roles if you have any specific skills you’d like to utilise.”
“Kitchen hand sounds perfect!”
My face flushes with heat. I know I sound desperate, but I’m just so relieved that I won’t have to fake my way through some sort of academic course in order to keep a roof over my head.
As much as I’ve been desperate to be released from my hospital room, I know I would struggle out in the real world. It’s a place I’ve never experienced. I wouldn’t know where to start, or who to trust. It wouldn’t be easy, not in the slightest. Staying here where the people have been nice to me feels like the smarter option, for now. I feel safe here.
“I’d be grateful if you could consider me for that job,” I add.
“It’s all yours if you want it,” Lana says. “But we can talk more about it once you’ve been given the all-clear from Dr. Clarke.And I’m guessing you don’t have a birth certificate, or social security details?”
I shake my head. “I’ve never been told about any of that so I would guess not.”
It probably makes me a nonentity in the eyes of the government.
It’s just another confirmation that no one in the real world knew about me.
“Don’t worry. I’ll speak to our lawyer about all of that. We’ll get it sorted out,” Lana assures me.
“Thank you,” I murmur.
A stab of guilt hits me.
She’s doing so much to help without even being asked.
I don’t know how I can ever repay her for this kindness.
“It’s all going to be okay, Robin,” she tells me. “You’ll be back on your feet in no time.”
She gives me a smile, and I try to move my lips to mirror that gesture, but I just can’t do it.
I spent my whole life thinking I was someone I wasn’t.
I didn’t have a real home, a real job, a real anything.
Will staying here mean the same thing, or will it be different?
I’m not going to know until I see the results of staying for myself.
“Is it okay …” I start, hesitating when a lump rises in my throat. I swallow it down quickly and force the rest of the words to come out of my mouth. “Can I ask about my mother?”
She blinks at me. “Your mother? What did you want to know?”
“She died when I was young,” I explain. “I don’t know what happened, exactly, but I’m assuming there wasn’t a funeral considering the circumstances. You probably remember, the police spoke to me a while back. I’m sure they left a card, but I think someone must have mistaken it for trash while I wassleeping. I wanted to know if they found her body, or if … If Ivan Hamilton told them anything about her.”
“I can find out the name of the detective who’s handling the case,” Lana says. “I’ll get you a phone number.”
