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Chapter Fifteen

Calista

The sound of my phone ringing throws me off. I scoop it off the desk near my bed and see it’s Maggie. I haven’t heard from her in weeks. Sleepily, I answer with a simple hello.

“Hey, girlie. How are you doing?”

“Um…I’m good. I just woke up,” I groan, stretching as I hold the phone to my ear.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you.” I plop back down on the bed.

“It’s okay.” I lift the phone from my ear and check the time. It’s nine, so I should be getting up anyway. “How are things going?” We used to be so close, but I know she feels uncomfortable since I got booted from the program.

“The program is great, but I miss you and your brilliant mind. We all do, especially Jacob.” She says it with annoyance, and I can picture her rolling her eyes.

“I’m sure.” I was their little nerd that they got their answers from. It was a quick way to not look stupid in front of the instructors.

“When do you think you’ll be back?”

“I have no idea.”

“Well, if you do come back, I’m sure they’ll let you in again. I think they regret letting you go.”

“I doubt it.”

“No, you’d be wrong. Dr. Fisher had a serious change of heart and asked if we’ve heard from you.” I knot forms in my stomach and all thoughts go to my father and wonder what he’s done. Did he send one of his men to threaten my former teacher or pay him off?

“Are you serious?” I asked, sounding less shocked than I felt.

“Absolutely.”

“Yeah, right.”

“She’s not lying, gorgeous,” Jacob says.

“Jacob?” Okay, now I’m more shocked and betrayed. What the hell was he doing on the call, and was he listening the whole time? I’m glad I didn’t say anything inappropriate.

“Yeah, we’re all hanging out before class. Dr. Fisher and Dr. Stevens asked us about you today.”

I scoff because I sure as hell don’t believe that unless they’re being forced to offer me a position. “They want you back, and so do we.”

“Then they should contact me,” I say. Do I really want to go back?

“We’ll tell them,” Jacob insists. I doubt he’ll tell them unless it benefits him. One thing I’ve learned about him is that he’s an opportunist to the max. Whether it’s money, women or connections, if it doesn’t benefit him, Jacob wants no part in it.

“You don’t have to do that,” I insist, wanting no favors from him. After my birthday party I have little to no trust in him.

“Beautiful, we need to have your back,” Jacob says, sounding flirty as always. “You’re our rockstar.”

“Maybe. I’ll consider it.”

“Well, that’s great, then.”

“Ain’t it? Well, I’ll let you go. I have a busy day ahead of me.”

“Okay. It’s great talking to you, gorgeous.” I end the call and then lay my head back down. I’m not sure what I plan on doing, but I can’t go back to sleep anymore, so I toss off the covers and climb out of bed.

I need to wash my hair so it’s dried by the time the stylists arrive in four hours. Digging through my new clothes, I grab a panty and bra set along with a cute pair of shorts and a tee before setting them out on the bed.