Chapter 2

The next night, our class met up for dinner.

Somehow, Nolan's friends had scored the SAT prep class roster.

They checked every name. Mine wasn't there.

They traded looks and cracked up.

"Nolan, Hailey was all 'I don't need you to take me overseas.' She didn't even sign up for SAT prep!"

"Guess she's counting on you to take her anyway. I thought she had a spine. Turns out she was just acting tough."

"No kidding. College overseas? That'd look great on her résumé. An orphan like her would do anything for that."

Everyone talked while Nolan sat in a corner, head down, jabbing at his phone.

He smirked. "Yeah. Like she'd ever make it overseas on her own."

Almost everyone shot me a dirty look. Then the whispers started.

"So that's why Hailey blew off the SAT. She had a better deal."

"We thought she threw her future away for love. Guess she had it all figured out."

"Keeping Nolan Caldwell happy pays better than a Westbridge degree. Smart. Kiss some rich guy's ass while the rest of us work ourselves to death after college..."

My face went pale.

I clutched my shirt, nails digging into my palms.

I couldn't feel it. My chest just hurt, tight and heavy.

The light from Nolan's phone lit up his face. He looked more annoyed by the second.

Finally, he shot up. "Can you guys shut up?"

I froze.

'Is he sticking up for me...?'

Then the bell over the restaurant door chimed.

Nolan perked up, though his tone stayed bossy. "Leona likes it quiet. Keep it down."

Leona walked in wearing a white dress, her long black hair straight over her shoulders. Everyone turned.

Nolan grinned. "Thought you said you weren't wearing that."

Leona huffed. "You bought it. Figured I'd wear it for you."

Her voice turned soft and teasing. "What's with you and white? I look good in bright colors, too."

Nolan nodded. "You look good in anything."

Leona sat beside him, her white skirt spilling around the chair. I went still.

On my first date with Nolan, I'd traded my usual school uniform for a white dress that cost half a month's pay from my part-time job.

His face went cold the second he saw me.

"I hate white dresses. They look awful."

I never wore anything white again.

I'd thought he hated the color.

Now I knew. He'd thought I was copying Leona.

Only Leona could look good in white.

I forced a bitter smile and looked away. As I headed for another table, Leona called after me.

"Hailey, I hear you're going overseas with Nolan. Playing the devoted girlfriend?"

I stopped and turned. Nolan's face had darkened at "girlfriend." He glared at me.

"Leona, we're not actually—"

She cut him off, watching me with a knowing smile.

"Nolan grew up eating our chef's food. He loves it.

"You'll be taking care of him for four years! Our chef's here making our graduation dinner, so..." She smirked. "Why don't you head into the kitchen and learn a few dishes?"