“Oh, the triple rooms aren't for boys of your breeding or stature. They're for the lower families.”
Lower families? Sweet lord, here we go. I assume with just how low my family is, I'll be in the damn basement. That suits me just fine.
“I insist. I need to keep a close eye on them both and make sure there isn't a repeat of last year.” He winks, and Yvette nearly swoons.
I glance over and see Avery watching the entire exchange with molten fury in her eyes. I think for a minute that she's pissed at her brother, and then she reaches out gently and clasps his hand. He doesn't look back at his sister, but he gives her hand a quick squeeze. She doesn’t like that he’s being forced to flirt with this woman; she’s protective of him.
“Are there singles available in the girls’ dorms?” His voice is back to the drawl. Yvette checks some papers in front of her and smiles.
“Avery is already in one of the singles. There's two available, and I popped her straight in it. Your twin called me earlier and…expressed her desires.”
Her hesitation seems totally out of place, and when she looks at Avery there's fear in her eyes. I make a note of that too and file the information away.
“Lovely. Thank you, Yvette.”
The twins leave with another look my way, and then Yvette turns to give me a once-over.
“I'm assuming you’re the scholarship student?” Jeez, if only I looked like Ash, I might have gotten a better welcome. I smile despite her tone and offer her my hand to shake.
“Eclipse Anderson. I prefer Lips, though.”
She ignores my hand, gives me a hard look, and takes my paperwork.
“Scholarship students are a handful already, and now we have an emancipated student? I'll warn you that this school is held to the highest standard of morals, and you will be expected to behave in an exemplary manner,” she says, like she wasn't just getting hot and heavy over a teenage boy.
I make sure my face is a mask of polite obedience and nod along with her. You don't survive foster care as well as I have without being able to lie a little.
“You are also being put in a single. There was some upset about your lodging amongst the other students.”
“Upset?” I raise my eyebrows at her tone.
“These are girls of very prestigious families, and they have some serious concerns about sharing with a girl with your…reputation.”
What the hell?“What exactly is my reputation?”
“We’ve had a few run-ins with Mounts Bay High girls before, which has led to strict rules about how our students spend their time outside of Hannaford. There are concerns for the safety of the students and their property.”
I flush scarlet and clench my teeth together so hard I might crack them. I'm about to tell this woman where to shove her opinions when the door to the principal's office opens and Mr. Trevelen steps out. His eyes light up when he spots me, and he lets out a long exhale.
Mr. Trevelen was responsible for awarding scholarships, and he personally interviewed me at the end of my last school year. He had sat in the care house I was stuck in and listened to my entire life story like he actually gave a damn about helping me. Even with my great marks, I had been turned down for other scholarships because of my living situation and family history, so I knew he had gone out on a limb for me.
“Miss Anderson, what a relief you've made it here safely! I had some concerns after the Academy car was declined by your guardian.”
I smile and readjust the bag strap on my shoulder.
“I think she just wanted to be nosey and see the school up close.”
The entire school property was surrounded by an extravagant fence, and the ornate gate was electric. I'd been given a keycard to get in, which I now hand back to Mr. Trevelen.
“I won't hold it against her,” he says with a wink, “I have cleared some time from my schedule this morning to walk you to your dorm, and then show you around a little. Most of your peers will already know where to go, as they have completed an orientation week here during the spring. I wouldn't want you getting lost.”
Yvette gives me another look, but I smile at her sweetly and grab my bags to follow the principal out the door.
At least I have someone on my side.
* * *
My room is tiny.
