Being Hartley (28 page)

Freedom is, apparently, situated on my shoulders.

"Aaaggghhh!" I say, startled. (Well, at least it's not "guh" again.) But within seconds, I realize it's all okay. The cat isn't about to rip both my ears off. He is, in fact, purring. Carefully, I reach up and lift him off my shoulders and bring him around to cradle him in my arms. How sweet. He likes me.

I curl him up against me and…

Ergh.

I try not to show it on my face (because the poor thing probably knows it), but honestly, he has to be one of the most hideous cats on the planet. Not that it's his fault. It's his breed. I realize as soon as I get a good look at him that he's a Sphynx—a hairless job with gigantic ears, a pinched little face, and a muscly body.

"Mrow," he tells me, looking up into my eyes, and I can't help but laugh. It's like holding a warm, fuzzy peach. A very ugly, warm, fuzzy peach, but at least one with a lot of personality. He's a darling.

"You've still got the touch." JJ looks on. "Cats love Elli," she says to Romy and Anouschka. "When she finishes school, she wants to be a vet specializing in…"

"Stupid animal. He's always hated me! I knew I should have gotten that teacup poodle instead," Anouschka butts in, watching us and ignoring JJ, her eyes all flashing green, nasty and slitty again. Slowly, they move from the cat up to my face.

Another yikes! Okay. Now I'm really out of here. Carefully, I place the cat down on the floor, and he pads off.

"I might go find everyone now," I tell JJ, keeping my voice and my movements even. Kind of like I'm defusing a bomb. Blue wire or red wire? I can never remember. Forget
Rich Girls
, I should have watched more
Homeland
or something. "You know, meet all the other students."

"Good idea." JJ's voice is equally calm and even. (Like I said, she's worked for plenty of celebrities before. She knows a "situation" when she sees one.) "Now, Anouschka, I think we should get on with planning this week's menu."

That's my cue. I turn and bolt.

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