‘Doesn’t have to be.’
I straighten my pencils on the table. ‘I’ve already agreed to work four days a week at Maggie’s next year.’
He looks disappointed. ‘Selling shoes?’
‘Yeah.’
‘What a waste.’
I frown. ‘Of what?’
‘A life. At least work in a jewellery shop if you’re going to limit yourself to retail. I mean, are shoes the dream?’
I tilt my head. ‘Actually, everlasting life’s the dream.’
He doesn’t even try to hide his amusement. ‘I almost forgot about your “paradise earth, never growing old” thing.’
I shift in my chair. ‘We’re taught to prioritise spiritual education. We don’t have to go off and become doctors. We save lives by going door to door.’
Hunter blinks. ‘Do you actually believe that?’
I open my mouth to answer, then close it again. Why am I hesitating? ‘Yes.’
He does not look convinced by the weak response.
‘We don’t chase worldly goals,’ I say.
His brow pinches. ‘You’ve explained worldly parties. What are worldly goals?’
Sometimes I forget he doesn’t speak our language. ‘Like wealth and material possessions.’
‘You think J-dubs invented the “money doesn’t buy you happiness” philosophy?’
‘No, but I think we live by it more than most.’
He lets out a long breath. ‘So superior.’
I note the beginnings of a smirk. ‘Okay. Well, what are your plans after graduation?’
‘I’m a fifth-generation farmer. What do you think?’
I chew my lip. ‘You don’t want to try something else? Maybe go to uni?’
‘Luckily, no.’
‘Luckily?’
His brow creases. ‘Obviously I couldn’t go off and study right now even if I wanted to.’
‘Because of your dad?’
His scowl deepens, and he turns to face the front. ‘I think share time’s over, Wilson.’
‘So only you can ask personal questions?’
Miss Talbert comes rushing into the room. ‘Sorry I’m late, guys. Got stuck at the photocopier.’
Hunter doesn’t speak another word to me for the rest of the class.