The Heir

Chapter 40

Fall break never lasts quite as long as I'd like it to. Montrose is the same as it always is though. Dramatic hugs when roommates see one another again. Displays of gaudy purses, shoes and jewelry. And bless all the angels and saints that my friends, for the most part, are back to normal.

Lina is still a ray of sunshine. Babbling on about her two month anniversary with that senior. Reminding everyone to complete their break work so we don't get in trouble on the first day back.

Noah and Akio are attached at the hip again. Apparently Akio reminded his parents that if they disown him like they'd been threatening, they'd have no heir. I guess that shut up their homophobic rhetoric.

But Hannah. She's different, has been for a while now. Sneaking around and keeping secrets. I know she's grown close to Will. But what I don't know is whether or not she's been helping him.

It's not something to worry over too much. I have a plan to deal with Will and I'll get that information directly from the source. If she's clueless, which I really hope is the case, I won't even tell her what's been going on. But if she's been helping him, she'll find herself on the receiving end of a pistol.

Now that we're back, the internship begins. I start today after ballet rehearsal. The other two interns will report to the office building immediately after school but I informed Rome that there is not a shot in hell of me skipping rehearsal.

As soon as the bell rings I'm out of my seat. I head right for Buhler, smiling politely as I weave between other students. I change into my dance attire quickly before tucking a business professional dress into my bag. I grab a pair of heels before racing down the stairs.

There's been construction going on on the roads surrounding Montrose. It's a situation entirely out of my control but that doesn't mean Madame will give me any slack if I'm late. So it's best to leave early.

The taxi is waiting at the gate and I climb right inside. I'm the only dancer who has this fall break. That disappears for a week in the middle of November for a rare opportunity to go home.

The dance studio isn't any more hectic than usual. Excited little kids, judgemental parents and an overworked receptionist. I go right for the main studio and toss down my bag.

There's a handful of girls here already, gossiping and giggling. I simply lace up my shoes and begin to stretch. More and more girls filter into the room, the conversations getting louder and more animated.

"Welcome back," B snides, looking down at me. I simply meet her eye. There is too much going on in my life for her attitude to be entertained.

"Where'd you run off to?" she cocks her hip. "Shacked up with some rando for a week?"

"What is your problem?" I breathe out, shaking my head.

"A slut like you could ruin the prestige of this ballet company," she spits back. "I don't want to be dragged down by you."

A dark laugh escapes my throat, "you think I'll ruin the image of the company?"

"Look at you," she gestures to me vaguely. "And your reputation?"

I rise to my feet slowly, watching her swallow down her confidence, "you know what's funny?"

Her brows furrow and I continue, "you say that I have a poor reputation. But what's yours?"

"Excuse me?" she scoffs.

"There is nowhere in this world where people don't know my name," I smirk. "And to be honest, I'm not even sure what your name is."

Her cheeks flush, nostrils flare, "how dare you! My father is a millionaire!"

"He might be," I shrug. "But you're not. You're nobody."