Page 151 of Tis the Season to be Bullied

“Often?”

“No, not often. Our trainers are professionals.” She clears her throat. “I’m sorry, I didn’t catch your name?”

“And the dogs? Do you only train Plott hounds?” I blurt out hurriedly.

“Primarily, yes.”

“And how young do you start?”

“As soon as they’re weaned.”

“And what does the training include? Like, when they’re puppies?”

“Lots of things. You know, it’ll probably be easier for you to come in, dear. You could make an appointment with one of our trainers. They can answer all your questions for you. What did you say your name was?”

I almost hang up the phone. But something pushes me to stay on the line.

“Uh...yeah, actually, that sounds great. Do you have a lot of trainers?”

“Only one at the moment.”

“Wow, I thought you’d have more than that.”

The receptionist sniffs. “One of them—” She cuts off. “You know, I’ll actually ask Ludovica to call you back. She can help you with your project.”

“She’s the trainer?”

“No, she’s the owner. She retired from training a few years ago. But she’ll be able to help. Your name please?”

I grit my teeth, staring down at the notes scrawled on my notebook. “It’s, uh, it’s Romi.”

“Romi...”

“Furino,” I supply reluctantly.

“Oh. Romi Furino.”

I groan silently. Oh God, does the reception know my roommate? Small townssuck.

“Your number?”

I give her my cell number and thank her. Was it my imagination, or did she get really shifty when I asked her about their staff? Is it possible the hunter in the woods was one of their trainers? I’ll have to figure out how to ask Ludovica that when she calls back.

I hope it’s soon.

Chapter 25

Nim

“Do you have any accounting study guides?” I ask Ms. Carling as I hand her back the computer room’s key. The librarian nods absently as she hangs the key behind her desk, then points to the back of the library. The stacks there are at least three yards high.

“There’s a whole study guide section over there. Shout if you don’t find what you’re looking for.” Ms. Carling’s smile fades when I can’t muster more than a faint curl of my lips. “Is everything alright, dear?”

“Just stressing because I’m behind on my classes.”

Ms. Carling gives me a sympathetic look. “If the guides don’t help, I can recommend several students who could tutor you.”

“Oh...uh...” My cheeks start warming up. “I don’t really have money to?—”

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