Page 136 of Rags to Royals

“When it gets physical. That’s only happened once,” Amanda adds. “There was some shoving. And she threw tomato juice on Amanda last week. But Mariah more often uses some…colorful language. We also have rules about that. But she is also willing to accept the consequences for her actions.” Amanda shakes her head with a small smile. “Very headstrong young women. I have no doubt they’re both going to be great leaders in whatever field they choose. I hope they both choose wisely. And for the greater good.”

I think about that. I hate the idea that Mariah has to deal with Leah always being in her face, telling her she’s wrong, trying to publicly shame her. But I like the idea that Mariah is strong and sure of herself. That’s certainly a credit to both Scarlett and Ruby.

“Wouldn’t it be easier to assign them to separate classes and try to keep them apart?” I ask.

Amanda smiles. “It would. We’ve done that when we can. But as confident women with strong beliefs, they are going to run into people in the real world who are going to push back against them. I think they can be good for each other in a way. They can practice confrontation and dealing with not only how to handle conflict but also work through their feelings about it. With adult supervision and guidance of course. That’s part of what we do here. We don’t just give kids homework and keep them busy all day. We’re trying to help prepare future citizens of the world.”

I think about that. All of our experiences shape us. I can admit that my experiences may seem broader than what Scarlett has had. I’ve traveled the world, met people from walks of life she’s never run into. But my world is a bubble. Everyone inside it has some level of power and influence. And most of them like me. I don’t get a lot of pushback.

In fact, no one has really pushed back against me until Scarlett.

On the other hand, Scarlett has had struggles I’ve never experienced. And she’s had a lot of pushback. Judgment. Conflict. Confrontation. It’s shaped her and made her a lot tougher than I am.

It’s also made her confident in what she believes in. I’ve never really had anyone question my choices. I’ve followed Fiona and Torin and trusted that choice was the right one. If something wasn’t easy, we had the money and people around us to fix it.

Scarlett has had to truly consider her beliefs and what she’s willing to work and fight for since she was twelve. In the beginning, she believed in her father. And because of that, she also had to learn to handle hurt and rejection. More things I’ve neveractuallydealt with.

She knows what she believes and what she’s willing to stand up for.

She’s so fucking amazing.

And Mariah is right there with her.

Yes, I want to whisk them away. I want to protect them, make everything easy, give them everything they could ever want.

But the fact that they haven’t had it easy, and have had to struggle, has made them into the two people I’ve fallen in love with. Two people who inspire me and who I know can teach me a lot.

“Thanks for filling me in, Amanda.”

“Of course. I think you’re doing a great job here.”

I give her a sincere smile. Damn, that does feel good. I’ve only got another week and a half and in the overall scheme of these kids’ academic careers it’s nothing, but it still feels good to be doing well at it. I’m really already addicted to being told “good job”.

I push through the side door and step out into the parking lot. I dig my keys out of my pocket as I stride toward the rental car. But I stop when I hear voices around the side of the building.

I immediately recognize Mariah’s voice. Then Leah’s. It’s almost as if I conjured them.

“Just leave me alone. I’m so fucking sick of this.”

“We’re just trying to help,” Leah says to Mariah. “It’s clear now that you actually believe what you’re telling us. And that’s so sad. Let us help you.”

“I do not want to talk about this with you.”

I hear the sound of feet shuffling on the parking lot surface and frown. I move closer to the wall of the building.

“Just admit you were lying,” a boy’s voice says.

I scowl. So it’s not just Leah and Mariah. My jaw tightens.

“I wasn’t lying. And I’m done repeating myself to you,” Mariah says firmly.

“What’s the big deal?” another girl says.

Three on one? This is not good.

“Are you doing this to get the money from my grandpa?” Mariah asks. “How aboutIpay you a hundred dollars to leave me alone?”

“Eternal life is priceless,” the girl says in a sweet voice.

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