Chapter 16: Chloe Han

The next day, I went to the academy early and found there were two desks, and someone was already sitting at the other one.

She had shiny black hair, a sharp jawline, and a look in her eye that said she was nobody’s fool. Her bag was monogrammed—a sure sign she wasn’t new to privilege.

I hadn’t seen a new face in a long time, so I ran over and asked who she was.

She looked impatient and didn’t want to talk to me, saying, "You’re Natalie Thompson."

My eyes sparkled, "Uh-huh."

She said, "So, you’re the famous Natalie Thompson? The one who’s gonna be First Lady someday?"

I was about to refute her when the tutor came in, knocked on the desk, and said, "Be careful what you say."

The tutor told me to return to my seat. After I sat down, she said, "Today, let’s talk about ‘being careful with words.’"

The girl next to me snorted.

The tutor started her long lecture.

After class, I ran straight to the dining room.

I wanted to ask Jacob which family the cute girl who came to class today was from, and the quickest way was to ask Jacob.

At the entrance, I gave Mr. Nelson a look, and he signaled back—the former First Lady wasn’t there.

I ran over to Jacob and before I could speak, he said, "Her name is Chloe Han, she’s a year older than you, my mom found her as your study companion, and she’s the youngest daughter of the Supreme Court’s chief justice."

I asked him, "How did you know what I was going to ask?"

Jacob put down his paperwork and looked up at me, "Guess."

I guessed Jacob was an idiot.

In the evening, while dining with the former First Lady, she asked, "Natalie, how are you getting along with Miss Han?"

I replied, "Very well."

Maybe my tone was too light, so the former First Lady said, "As long as you’re happy."

I said, "Thank you, ma’am, I’m very happy."

I smiled, though I wondered if she could see right through me. At least Chloe was interesting—maybe even a little fun.