fifteen.

Cora

Just when I get comfortable on my bed with my book, my phone rings with a video call from Elissa. I switch it to a regular call because I’m not in the mood to put on a cheery face.

“Hey, let’s go on video chat,” she says.

“No, I can’t right now. Too many people around.”

“Oh, bummer. So, what’s up?”

“Nothing much.”

She’s quiet for a few seconds before she says, “Is that jerkwad still picking on you?”

“A little,” a lie. “But it’s getting much better. Really, it’s not even a big deal anymore.”

I hate lying to her, but I can’t stand the thought of her or my parents worrying about me. And quitting Royal Elite is totally out of the question now. How could I leave after Asher Beckham showered my parents and me with such generosity? He invited us to his home, served us dinner, took an interest in our lives. I’m stuck here for the next three years, and then I’ll be off to my dream school and then the path to my amazing future.

“You there, Cora?”

I snap back to the present. “What?”

“I said