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More to the point, what ishedoing here? Not that I’m all that surprised. At some point, I’m probably going to run into someone far more important than him. Then what will Dean Anderson do when they recognize me? I know they won’t say anything for fear of exposing themselves, but they will always wonder.

Plastering a welcoming grin on my face, I slip my phone in my pocket and pretend to give him all my attention. “Mr. Thatcher? Am I correct?”

His smile doesn’t meet his eyes as he looks me up and down. “You remembered. And here I thought I’d be forgettable to a Hartwell. I’m honored to know I’m important enough for you to make note of.”

His tone grates on my nerves even more than the false modesty exuding from his body. He’s not fooling anyone. Especially not someone like me who’s grown up around people far more genuine and important than him. He’s just a slimy sycophant looking for someone to fawn over him.

“I’m the press, remember? It’s my job to make note of people.”

“Ahh. In that case, I’m just lucky a plebeian such as myself can earn a spot in your memory banks. I must say, I’m surprised to see you here. Are you doing an article or...?”

He trails off, obviously fishing. All I have to do is remember the lie. “I don’t need to do an article to be here. I live here.” Mix in a little bit of truth, and they’ll believe anything.

At that, his eyes widen as he leans forward. “I see. And how long has that been?”

“I would say a week or so. Dean Anderson needed to put me somewhere safe for my protection and said Chi Sigma Delta had a state-of-the-art security system. You know. Only the best for a Hartwell.”

Just like that, he deflates. I bite down on the side of my cheek to keep from laughing at the momentary flash of dejection when he realizes I’m not here for him to fuck. At least that’s not what we’re going to allow him to think.

“What brings you here? Do you have a relative attending Loftry?”

For a moment, his nostrils flair, as if caught off guard by my question. Yet another point for Ashleigh.

“I’m meeting up with a student to help tutor her. Failing mathematics, I’m afraid. Parents are paying me handsomely for something a fourth year could do. Apparently, they want the best.”

Best liar. “I see. Well, good luck. Thankfully journalism doesn’t require all that much math, so you’ve dodged a bullet with me.”

“I’m sure you would be such a pleasure to tutor. I imagine you’re a quick study.”

The way he practically purrs the word pleasure has bile once more reaching the back of my throat. I need to end this now. Thankfully, he seems to get the hint and shifts a touch out of my way.

Again, he reaches for my hand, and I accept, hoping to shake and be done with, but he turns my wrist back and forth. So much of our earlier interaction now makes sense, but he’ll be disappointed to see I still don’t wear a Society band. To do so would shatter the illusion that I’m here for protection.

As much as it hurts my heart to not have Dean Anderson show any sort of ownership of me, I get it. It’s painful, but I’ll get over it.

“I see you still don’t have a bracelet,” he murmurs. “Such a sad state of affairs when a Hartwell doesn’t even have an accessory.”

“Who knows?” I tease as I take my hand back, desperate to lighten the mood. “Maybe Caldwell will get me one as a late birthday gift. He’s probably planning something elaborate as we speak. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to get to class.”

Good girl,I say to myself as I slip past.You let him know you’re not availableandyou kept your secret about Dean Anderson safe. Point one for the best snoop in all of Upstate New York.

Once more, I pull out my phone and scroll to another name.

Marnie

The number you have reached has been disconnected. If you feel this was in error, please check the number and try again.

Ashleigh

Just trying?

The number you have reached has been disconnected. If you feel this was in error, please check the number and try again.

As much as hope likes to spring eternal, deep down, I knew it was no use. I’m not sure what would have changed from then until now. The only difference is, I have so much I could tell Marnie, but nothing I’d be allowed to. Perhaps it’s easier this way.

If she were still here, I’d want to tell her everything. Hell, she’s the only one I really considered a friend here. Everyone else either didn’t care or wanted to suck up because of my name. Marnie knew nothing about me.

The fact that we bonded over secret societies just makes all of this even better. For a moment, I stare out over the expanse of the campus as my brain churns. It is rather odd that we were just talking about Chi Sigma Delta not too long before she went home to see her family.