“You don’t actually believe that stuff, right?
We were just kidding! You’re not a trust fund baby anymore. Look how well I’ve
transformed you! Don’t feel insecure. We already think of you as a friend!”
I looked down at my cheap red shirt, the
faded, too–short green ripped jeans. I sighed.
“What a mess.”
Harper’s style was horrendous. What was I
thinking back then?
“Wait for me outside. I’m changing.”
I’d changed my mind. Harper made my life
hell. This time, I was exposing her.
“You look fine. You have that commoner
princess vibe. Why change?”
L
I glared at her.
“Okay, okay, we’ll wait outside!”
Harper’s phone buzzed a few times. They
were probably freaking out that we were late.
They were waiting for someone to pay the
bill!
When we got there, they’d already ordered.
Including Harper’s sidekicks, there were eight
people. The table was piled high with dishes,
and everyone had an Australian lobster in
front of them.
They were all over Harper. “Harps! What took
you so long? The food’s getting cold!”
“Yeah, and you don’t look so good. Waiter!
Bring us six bird’s nest soups! A woman has
to take care of herself, especially our
beautiful queen!”
“Totally!”
Hearing the praise, Harper’s face brightened.
She sat down, casually gesturing toward me.
“Sorry, had to help Miss Rich Bitch get
dressed.”
Everyone noticed me then. “Is that Willow?”
“No way!”
“Why isn’t she wearing those god–awful clothes? I almost died laughing the last time I
saw her.”
L
“Who knows? Miss Rich Bitch has her own
taste!”
“Some people just copy our queen’s style, but they can’t copy her vibe!”
“Yeah, no one has the same vibe as Harper!”
This was hilarious. Harper stole my clothes,
and now I was copying her?!
“Let’s all toast the queen!”
“To the queen!”
“Harper!”
“…Cheers!”
They were a chaotic mess!
<
I looked at the wine they were drinking, the
most expensive kind in the hotel. If I
remembered right, it was like $1888 a glass.
I wondered if they’d be so happy when the bill
came.
Like they’d just seen me, Harper greeted me
warmly.
“Willow, come sit with us! Everyone’s so
nice!”
“I’m good here!”
I’d save them the trouble of asking for money
later.
Harper said apologetically. “Sorry everyvone
L
Willow probably looks down on you guys. I’ll talk to her! I’ll get her to accept you!”
That made everyone’s already bad impression
of me even worse.
“What’s she got to be so proud of? Just some stinking money!”
“There are too many rich assholes in the
world. Someone like Harper, who doesn’t care
about money, is rare!”
“Yeah, let’s forget about her! She’s too
scared to sit with our queen, afraid of being
overshadowed!”
I sat there, watching them.
After a few rounds, Harper saw they’d eaten
enough and was about to tell me to pay when the waiter knocked and came in.
“Excuse me, is there a Miss Carter here?”
Confused, everyone pointed at Harper.
“Miss Carter, Mr. Jones asked me to deliver this wine as an apology. He’s busy right now, but he’ll be over soon. Enjoy your evening!”
“Mr… Jones?” Harper was lost. She didn’t
know any Mr. Jones.
7
“Yes, Jace Jones, the president of our group.”
“Whoa, Jace Jones! People say he’s a trust
fund kid. Guess it’s true!”
“This hotel is a Jones property!”
“He’s a rich man, hahaha! Our queen’s charm is irresistible!”
“Wow, how romantic! Harper, he’s into you…”
“No doubt!”
