Chapter 149
The dozen or so classmates who showed up looked genuinely surprised.
Back in school, Dorothea always seemed a bit distant, but she was unfailingly polite. There was that time she borrowed a few tissues from the girl in front of her, then brought back a cup of yogurt that same afternoon as thanks. To some, though, kindness like that just meant she was an easy target.
The girls used to whisper about her when they thought she wasn’t listening. The guys were even worse, saying things that stung and lingered.
“Dorothea only looks all high and mighty. Give her ten grand a month, she’d be your girlfriend in no time p>
Zack always acted like he couldn’t care less about Dorothea. But when he finally asked her out after graduation, she shot him down so hard he never forgot it. He took it as a personal insult, convinced she’d never find anyone better than him.
Now, the people making digs at Dorothea were all close to Zack. Nobody expected the quiet, rule-following girl to finally start standing up for herself.
“So, Dorothea, your dad owns a hotel?” someone asked, raising an eyebrow. “I thought he passed away ages ago p>
The disbelief was written all over her face.
Carmen, who’d been holding her tongue for a while, finally snapped. “Believe what you want. Funny, I still remember your dad’s working on wife number three p>
“You p>
Dorothea just held back a laugh. “Aren’t we here to see Jared today p>
“If you want to catch up, Carmen and I will head in first,” she said, already moving toward the door.
Jasper jumped in right away. “Yeah, let’s go. Jared said she’s done at four p>
Nobody said much after that. They just shuffled toward the admin building, faces a mix of awkward and uncertain.
Jared spotted them coming, arms full of gifts, and her eyes went glassy with emotion. “You really didn’t have to bring all this. Flowers I’ll take, but the rest? Take it home with you p>
Jasper gave the others a look, and they quickly stashed the bags behind the door. “We didn’t bring anything, Jared. We just missed you and wanted to visit p>
Jared looked at their faces-once so young and unsure, now confident and put- together. She felt a wave of pride and nostalgia.
Her gaze fell on Dorothea, standing a little apart from the group.
“Dorothea, you came too p>
Dorothea felt her nose sting, a lump forming in her throat. “Of course, Jared. I wanted to see you too p>
“Good, good. You’ve really changed. Even prettier now p>
Dorothea smiled shyly. “You haven’t changed. You still look so young p>
“Not only prettier, but your compliments are sweeter too p>
Jared used to worry about
Dorothea-the way she grew up with her grandparents, no parents
and quiet Shamet
around, so gentle
thought life would be extra tough for a girl like that. But just a few words in Jared could tell she’d toughened up. That made her feel better.
One of the girls piped up, “Dorothea’s working at a hotel now p>
She made sure to put a heavy emphasis on “hotel,” her tone dripping with judgment.
Dorothea’s brows pulled together, ready to clap back, but Jared got there first. Her face turned stern. “And what’s wrong with working at a hotel? Chain hotels are big
companies now. Not 3000
grows up with everything handed to them, never having to worry about finding a job after college A hotel’s a put your
fing Any job is, if you
good job.
heart into it. Anyone can make something of themselves p>
She looked around the group, her voice softening. “You might not be my students anymore, but let me say this. Out there, the world changes people. I hope you all
remember the yee
you spent together here. One mean comment can hurt more than ten good deeds can fix p>
Carmen immediately cheered. “Jared, that was perfect. Dorothea, if Jared ever stays at our hotel, you’d better give her a discount p>
Dorothea’s eyes crinkled with a real smile. “If Jared comes, she’ll never have to pay
a cent p>
The girl who’d tried to be snarky went red, her face darkening with embarrassment.
Jared let out a small laugh and changed the subject. “Alright, we’ve got a little time. Want to see our old classroom p>
Everyone nodded. They walked back together, only to find that everything had changed-new desks, new chairs, fresh paint on the walls.
Someone let out a wistful sigh. “I was hoping to find my old desk p>