She Didn’t Fix Her Reputation. She Threw It Away. Chapter 12

She Didn’t Fix Her Reputation. She Threw It Away. Chapter 12

No one here was wearing the latest runway collection. The uniform was hoodies, faded band t-shirts, and worn-in jeans.

“Hi, everyone. I’m Claire Novak.”

My voice was a little tight, but I stood straight and met their gazes.

After a brief pause, the classroom broke into a smattering of applause.

It wasn’t the polite, obligatory applause of a society function.

It was a genuine welcome.

I heard a boy in the front row, wearing a beanie, whisper to his friend, “She seems smart.”

The girl next to him added, “Probably from the East Coast. Has that accent.”

No one mentioned my appearance.

No one speculated about my family.

They just saw a new student.

I found a seat in the third row by the window.

A girl with short, spiky hair and a wide grin turned to me.

“Hi, I’m Zoe Davis. Campus reporter. Future Pulitzer winner.” She stuck out her hand. “You must be Claire Novak. That name sounds like an author’s. I like it.”

I shook her hand.

“Claire is fine.”

“Great. You can call me Zoe.” She jabbed a thumb at her chest. “And just so you know, nobody here gives a damn who your dad is or if you summer in the Hamptons. Around here, the only thing that matters is what’s in your brain.”

Her eyes were sharp, and she caught the flicker of surprise on my face.

She leaned in and lowered her voice.

“You look a little spooked,” she said, her expression softening into a conspiratorial grin. “Like you just escaped from somewhere awful.”

She winked.

“Don’t worry. We’re all about logic and reason here. And if anyone ever gives you trouble, I’ll be the first one to plaster their face on the front page of the school paper.”