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exaggerated and wide. Despite her look of perpetual surprise, it was her popping eyes that gave her a unique, alluring look. She had a spray of freckles across her nose and was very petite, almost frail. She waved at me. “Come here.”
    I walked over to the table and the two girls motioned for me to sit.
    The brunette was taller than the blond, with an angular, sculpted face. She seemed athletic and toned, which next to the daintiness of the blond made her seem almost big. But I guessed she couldn’t be more than a size four. She twirled her mini diamond earrings.
    â€œYou’re new here?” the blond asked.
    â€œI’m Emily,” I said.
    They nodded as if this was no surprise.
    â€œI’m Andi,” said the blond.
    â€œI’m Lindsey,” the brunette said. “So how’s your first day going?”
    â€œOh my God!” Andi interrupted, her bright blue eyes widening. “Did they not tell you about the soup?” She grabbed at her chest like she was in pain. “I know soup is supposed to be healthy and all, but it is a total fact that the cream of chowder from this kitchen has twenty-eight grams of fat. TWENTY-EIGHT! Can you believe that? They might as well shove a Whopper in a blender and call it a light snack.”
    I stared at my bowl of soup, obviously the wrong choice. I looked over at their salads with small cups of dressing on the side. I was hungry, but I felt strangely obligated not to eat the soup.
    Andi held out her tube of hand lotion. “Want some?”
    I shook my head no.
    â€œIt’s weird, but I noticed my hands get so dry after a shoot.” Andi rubbed the lotion over her hands.
    â€œShoot?” I asked.
    Andi looked down at her hands. “Yeah, I did this little Guess shoot over the weekend. I don’t model that much anymore, though, too busy.”
    I thought I saw Lindsey roll her eyes.
    â€œAndi used to be an American Girl model. Like four years ago,” Lindsey informed me. Andi punched her in the arm. “What? It’s true! So how do you like it here so far?” Lindsey asked, turning back to me.
    â€œIt’s okay,” I said. “It’s an adjustment.”
    Lindsey leaned in, her dark hair falling around her face. She whispered, “How are you handling everything?”
    Andi gasped, her hand flying up to her mouth.
    â€œI know we’re not supposed to say anything—” Lindsey said quickly.
    Andi cut her off. “It was totally forbidden.”
    â€œThat’s insane,” I said. “Why is it forbidden to ask me a question? That’s so messed up.”
    Andi answered with a deep impersonating voice. “You’ve been badgered enough. Here at Darlington, we will show you the respect you deserve.”
    I was thinking that maybe that was a decent point when Lindsey said, “It’s such a load of crap. I wouldn’t be surprised if down the road, we read a big article in the paper about how Darlington handled such a sticky situation with grace and dignity. The administration will use this for publicity, which totally goes against everything they’re preaching.”
    So I was no longer a national headline, but a “sticky situation.” I stared at my soup and played with the strand of pearls around my neck.
    â€œThat’s such a pretty necklace,” Lindsey said, releasing her finger from her square diamond earring and pointing to the pearls. “Where did you get it?”
    I took a deep breath and willed myself to loosen my grip on the necklace. “These were my mom’s.”
    Lindsey cocked her head, her brown hair falling over her cheek. “They’re beautiful.”
    â€œThanks,” I mumbled, looking down again at my soup.
    Andi dipped a carrot stick in dressing. “So, have you met any guys of interest?”
    â€œWell,” I said, “there was this really sweet guy I met this morning.”
    They leaned in with