She clipped her consonants sharply, barely opening her mouth.

“You should have just taken the free coffee and gone back to your cheap motel.”

Claire stopped three feet from the water fountain.

“You filed a formal grievance so Mason wouldn’t have to compete against them,” Claire said.

Vanessa gave a tight, patronizing smile.

“Mason is applying to three elite preparatory academies next month,” Vanessa said.

She adjusted the wide lapels of her coat.

“He needs a first-place state medal on his transcript.”