Page 14 of Fighting Fate

“Thank you,” I tell Hunter, as we pace a good distance behind Harper and Sander. Sander looks over his shoulder at us, giving Hunter a look that I can’t read, but it’s not hard to guess. I’m sure Harper is driving him crazy.

“It’s no problem, Cove. I already told you.” Hunter slips his arm behind my back. I raise an eyebrow at him but don’t comment on his arm. It tingles as he rests his hand on the small of my back.

Stupid butterflies.

“It must be weird to pretend to be a high school student right after graduating,” I say, desperately trying not to think about Hunter’s hand that is on me.

I can’t fall for my bodyguard.

He shrugs. “It’s not so bad. I got lucky with you. You’re a pretty good kid. When I took this assignment, I was expecting to be watching over a spoiled brat.”

My eyes widen. “And you still volunteered?”

“Of course.” He furrows his brows, looking at me. “It didn’t matter if you’re likable or not. You’re seventeen. I’m not going to let somebody kill you.”

When he puts it like that…

He smirks. “Of course, the fact that you’re not a diva does make my job more enjoyable.”

“Should I start acting like a spoiled rich girl?” I raise an eyebrow at him.

“Do you even know how to act like a spoiled rich girl?”

I shrug. “I’ve seen enough of Liam’s girlfriends that I’m sure I could imitate one pretty well.”

He shudders. “Uh, please don’t. The girls at your school are bad enough.”

He’s probably right.

The high pitch of a girly squeal has me looking up, my heart racing from the loud shriek.

“Oh, my gosh, Cove! Look at this dress!” Harper yells.

I groan.

“Nobody should be that excited about a dress,” Hunter mumbles under his breath.

I have to agree with him on this one.

I put my hand to my heart, shaking my head as I get closer to Harper. “You scared me half to death. The way you were screaming, I thought somebody was about to shoot you.”

She giggles, waving a hand at me. “Oh, Cove. You’re hilarious.”

Harper grabs onto my arm, pulling me into another store.

I was right. Thisisgoing to be a long day.

Shopping is deadly.

I take my time in the bathroom, checking my phone long after I’m done going pee. Truthfully, I need a break from Harper. I love my friend, but put her in a mall and I see a whole other side of her—a side I didn’t know existed.

Harper comes from money, that much has always been obvious. I think everybody at West Raven Academy comes from money, aside from a few scholarship students. But she’s never acted like a rich girl. That is, until today. Truthfully, I think she’s spent more money today than I ever have in all seventeen years I’ve been alive.

Stuffing my phone into my pocket, I leave the bathroom stall and wash my hands. I’m dreading heading back to the shoe store.

Today, I realize just how different I am from other girls.

I was raised around money. I lived in a big penthouse. I went on vacation to my stepdad’s second home in The Hamptons. But I was always the burden that had to be brought along. I always had just enough clothes, whatever could be bought on sale or thrifted, and nothing more. I had to fight just to get school supplies every year.

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