AllFreeNovel
Share Us
My cheeks flush. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, you’re dressed like you’re going on a date.”
My shoulders fall. “Is it too much? Dr. Banks is... Well, you know. They’re really well off, and I was just trying to dress appropriately.”
He cocks a brow. “They might have more money than us, but they’re no better. But if you want to wear the dress, then wear it, I guess.”
I bite down on my lower lip. “Maybe I should change.”
Dorian shrugs. “I dunno. It’s up to you.”
Sighing, I spin on my heels and return to the bedroom.
I did my best to tame my red hair, but it still feels frizzy. I slide out of the dress and opt for a pair of black jeans and cream-colored sweater. Hopefully,thisisn’t too much.
“Better?” I ask as I return to the living room.
He shrugs,again.Why did I listen to him in the first place? He doesn’t even care if his clothes match.
I miss you, Mom.
I’ve grown to survive without the mentorship of my mother, but inthismoment, her help would’ve been helpful. She would’ve known if I was overdressed or if I’m not underdressed.
“Let’s just go,” I mutter, gesturing for the door. “These clothes are more comfortable, anyway.” He stands to his feet shakily, wincing as he stretches his arms over his head. He limps toward me, and together, we head for the front door.
I smooth out my sweater and open the door for him. I step out into the evening air, my chest feeling tight as I lock the door behind us.
I swallow the knot in my throat as we climb in, and I start the engine. The radio kicks on softly, and I leave it at that volume, backing out of the driveway and making my way across town.
“Maybe we should get a new car,” Dorian says from the passenger seat as the glove box falls open.
“I just need to fix that latch,” I tell him, though I know he has a point. I try not to be self-conscious about the things we have, or the things we don’t, but Dr. Banksisthe polar opposite of the way we are. We’re just lucky to have a house.
“Connor says that he wants to go to my school,” Dorian says blankly, staring out the window as we head toward the wealthier side of town. “He thinks it would be cool for us to hang out all the time.”
“Yeah, I could see that,” I tell him, though I know there’s no way Dr. Banks wouldeversend his kid to a public school. It makes no sense.
“He says that kids at his school are snobby.”
I side eye him. “They probably are.”
“Yeah, I know.” He snorts. “They have to wearuniformsto school, and that’s so lame. I can’t imagine not just wearing normal clothes.”
“I suppose.” I sigh as we turn into the neighborhood. It’s fancy. Likereallyupscale. The mansions tower over each other, and as I pull up to the gates, my heart skips a beat.
“Who are you here to see?” the security guard asks from the interior booth.
“Um, Dr. Banks. Sorry, Aiden Banks.”
The older man raises a brow at me but picks up the phone. I tap my finger anxiously against the steering wheel, feeling more insecure than ever about myself.
A few moments later, the guard nods at me, and the gates screech open.
“This is crazy,” Dorian mumbles as the car lurches forward.
And nerve wracking.
My mouth starts to go dry as I navigate past the large, upscale houses, most of which have luxury cars sitting out front in theirdriveways. As we pass a couple of yards with people outside, they give us funny looks.
