Page 17 of I Don't Need Your Protection

“And we’re really happy to meet you.” Sophie puts down the book and holds out her hand to me. “Carly says you’re cool, and she’s really good at sensing people.”

I shake her hand. “Thanks. What are you reading?”

“Only the most amazing fantasy book in the world.”

“Sophie is married to books,” Raven tells me as I lower my tray on the table and sit down next to Carly. “So don’t be surprised if she doesn’t hear half the conversation while she reads.”

Sophie lifts her chin. “I can do both.”

“Sure you can.” Raven playfully rolls her eyes.

“Try to get her to stay loyal to one book at a time,” Carly teases as she puts her arm around her.

“Try to focus on only one dance routine at a time,” Sophie teases back.

Carly holds up her hands. “Okay, okay. You got me.” She focuses her attention on me. “Ooh, you chose the pancakes. They are the best things to have fallen down from heaven.”

“They look like that!” I grab my fork, cut off a huge chunk, and stuff it into my mouth. I sigh like I really did float up to heaven. “This is the best thing I’ve ever tasted in my life.”

The three of them exchange chuckles.

“Just wait until you try the gourmet maple syrup.” Carly pushes the bottle closer to me.

“Thanks.” I pour some over my pancake and take another bite. “Oh mygosh.”

They laugh again. “You’re definitely one of us,” Sophie says with a smile. “Most kids here take all this yummy food for granted.”

“Rich people seriously don’t know how to appreciate how lucky they are.”

“Why are we always talking about them?” Raven says as she cuts into her waffles. “Who cares?”

“Because there’s so much drama in their world,” Sophie says with a laugh. She has her book opened next to her tray. I don’t know how she manages to read and join in the conversation at the same time. I don’t read much, but when I do, I can’t focus on anything else because it yanks me right out of the story.

“Who gives a darn about their drama?” Raven mumbles.

“It’s like watching a TV show,” Carly says. “Did you hear Warner broke up with Tina? Everyone thought they were endgame, but she thinks he’s boring.”

My head perks up. “Did you say Warner?”

Carly’s brows lower. “You know him?”

“I bumped into a Warner yesterday. I, uh…” My cheeks flame. “I kind of fell on my butt right in front of him.”

Sophie gives me a sympathetic look. “Happens to the best of us. On my first day, I tripped while holding my tray and spilled my food all over a senior guy who was so darn cute. I thought he was going to wring me with his tie, but he was actually okay about it.”

“So the guys here are decent?” I ask.

“Depends what you want from them,” Raven says. “A boyfriend? It might be hard to find a good one. Most of them won’t look our way because we’re scholarship kids. And they would never be caught dead introducing someone of lower class to their parents. But if you just want to have fun, you might find a few candidates. You have to be careful to steer clear of the jerks, though. Trust me, there are plenty of them.”

“You’ve dated any?” I ask her.

“Who, me?” She looks horrified at the thought. “No way. When I get together with a guy, he will be someone who’s worthy of me.” She lifts her chin.

That makes me laugh. “You’re right. We have our standards.”

Carly pokes her elbow into Raven’s ribs. “What about the cute guy you met at camp after freshman year?”

Raven’s face changes. “Why are you bringing him up?”