Chapter 6
After that night, the Hartwells‘ attitude toward me shifted a little.
When Mr. Hartwell gave Willow spending money, sometimes he’d remember to slip me some too. Not pocket change either.
What did I, a lowly foster kid, do to deserve this?
I was touched and graciously accepted every time.
Then quietly transferred it to a separate account–my future escape fund.
Soon enough, the stressful practice SATs were over.
Walking out of school with the crowd, my phone buzzed: [skylar u blocked me AGAIN?? im coming for u bitch just wait!!]
Brand new number, same psycho energy…
I wrinkled my nose and dragged this number to the blocked list too.
When I got back to the Hartwell house, it was dead quiet.
Asked the housekeeper and found out the family had gone with Willow to some out–of–state art school auditions.
“They’ll probably be gone for days,” she said.
I just said “okay” and went to my room to study after dinner.
Peace and quiet at last.
A week later, practice SAT scores came out-
- Top score in the whole school.
Not bad–hopefully didn’t let Mom down.
I was thinking this over when-
“1580? Out of 1600? How the FUCK is that possible?”
Camden’s scream scared me awake.
I looked up to see the travel–worn Hartwell family staring at the score report in my hand like I’d grown a second head.
Mrs. Hartwell snatched the paper and checked it three times, getting more excited: “That bitch next door Mrs. Walsh was bragging all morning about her daughter’s 1450. Let’s see what she says NOW!”
“Good, good! Excellent!”
Mr. Hartwell was grinning ear to ear, looking at me with actual warmth for the first time.
Guy’s a businessman–everything comes down to profit and value to him.
“Wahhhhh…” Willow lost it.
She’d bombed her auditions and was already feeling like shit. Now compared to me, she couldn’t handle it.
She ran upstairs crying.
10.25
Sorry I’m Not Here to Play Family… I’m the Real Heiress Here to Wreck the Game!
19.7%
Chapter 6
Camden glared at me and chased after her.
I didn’t want to deal with Mr. and Mrs. Hartwell alone, so I got up and went outside for some air.
Right as I stepped out, I heard Camden and Willow talking on the balcony:
“You and her? Not even close. Girls like her got nothing but books. Your life right now is what she’ll never have! You’re gonna be designing for A–listers while she’s working at Target or some shit.”
Ugh. how annoying.
I rolled my eyes and got out of there fast.
After the practice SAT scores came out, our last break before the real SATs started.
I packed a few clothes and grabbed that faded old backpack.
Opened my door and ran smack into the Hartwells, who were loaded down with luggage for their vacation.
Everyone stared at everyone else.
Awkward as hell.
Mrs. Hartwell tried to play it off: “Sky, honey, where are you going?”
I said simply: “Back home to visit.”
Mrs. Hartwell looked hurt: “Isn’t this your home?”
I was horrified: “How could it be? I’m not Hartwell, ma’am.”
Mrs. Hartwell looked hurt again.
Mr. Hartwell tried to smooth things over: “Skylar, you’d be all alone going back there. Why don’t you come with us? I’ll cover all the expenses.”
“Thanks, Mr. Hartwell, but I’m good.”
I shook my head: “I gotta get back–got chickens to feed.”
“Chickens?”
Willow snorted with laughter, but then something occurred to her.
Her eyes lit up as she grabbed Mrs. Hartwell’s arm: “Mom, I wanna go to Sky’s hometown too! Sounds super fun!”
Hearing Willow wanted to go, Camden immediately jumped in: “If Willow’s going, I’m going too.”
Jaxon smiled: “Sounds interesting.”
So the situation became: Mr. and Mrs. Hartwell went on vacation alone while everyone else followed me back to my place.
“Sky, thanks for letting us experience country life.”
Willow dragged her suitcase beside me, acting all innocent.
I was internally screaming.
Excuse me? Did ANYONE ask what I wanted? This was straight–up hijacking!
Just as our group was about to leave, this cocky voice rang out:
naal Unirace Here to Wreck the Game!
20.0%
Chapter 6
“SKYLAR FUCKING RIVERS! You blocked me TWICE?! I flew back from boarding school just to deal with your ass, and you
.or…”
Chapter 6
*SKYLAR FUCKING RIVERS! You blocked me TWICE?! 1 flew back from boarding school just to deal with your ass, and you better start talking
