What did she say?
She must see the suspicion because she clarifies. “That’s what your papers said.” Her voice more skeptical. “I was supposed to help guide you around yesterday. Help you transition.”
I lean back in my seat, sucking on my tongue. Guess I now knew why she was here. Hailey had managed to track down the leash, but I still wasn’t her pet.
A deep auburn braid falls over her shoulder, bobbing her head in silent laughter. “Guess you didn’t need me.”
“Nope,” I say, popping the P.
Her fingers tap the counter, not reading my tepid vibe. Hadn’t my choice of table in the farthest corner of the dining hall been the first sign I wanted to be left alone?
I wanted her to leave. She wasn’t getting the hint.
Biting at her lip absentmindedly, she asks, “So is it true?”
“Is what true?”
I play along, hoping it would get her to take off sooner. It doesn’t.
“Are you a Casper?” she whispers, a hint of excitement and something else hanging on the edge of her tone. Bewilderment?
“Are you always so forthcoming?”
She startles, looking down. Her cheeks bloomed with a slight shade of pink.
I relent, not meaning to embarrass her. “Would it matter if I was?”
“No, it wouldn’t.” She finally decides. That dimple in her cheek popping out again, mouth widening in a small grin.
Hailey was being honest, genuine. It was refreshing.
“I shouldn’t have assumed.” She snorts but it was sad. “Believe me, I know what it’s like to be put in a box.”
I wave my hand, wanting her to elaborate, she does.
“I’m a scholarship student. You get treated differently at a place like this when people find that out.”
Harsh lines form around her mouth, face drawn. I felt a sense of common understanding toward her. We were both outcasts but in different ways.
Bitter at life.
She scoffs, looking away. “Technically, I no longer need the scholarship. My parents can afford this place now, but they couldn’t when I first got in.”
Hailey knew what it was like to carry a social stigma.
“What do you mean?”
She hesitates, sucking on her bottom lip. Whatever she was about to say was hard.
“I’m the reason my parents are successful. Their realtors,goodrealtors, but when I was offered my scholarship, they were elated. For me of course it was an impressive achievement… but also for their business.”
“They used your academic standing as a way to gain higher-paying clients,” I imply, getting it.
She nods slowly, anguish settling in the creases of her face.
“I thought it was cool, a Casper popping out of thin air,” Hailey says, backtracking to earlier. “The hellhounds could use a new member.” She cringes. “Too much testosterone between those boys.”
My muscles tighten on reflex. Was she talking about who I thought she was?