Flora’s Guide to a Second Chance at Love and Life

Most of the people at International Glam were folks Fiona and Tyler had helped out by pure chance-people who'd grown up struggling just to get by.

Take the three contestants this time around. Even though they'd managed to get into a place as prestigious as Center College, they couldn't afford to stay. Their families either forced them to drop out, or demanded they send money home every month.

But after digging a little, Fiona realized Jean was different. They hadn't looked into Jean's background carefully when she first joined, and now that gap was starting to show.

Tyler drove them to campus, getting there in no time. The second they stepped inside, the atmosphere changed-everyone's stares were cold, full of judgment. "Guess Jackson finally dumped her. Kind of feel bad for her, actually," someone muttered.

"Feel bad? Please. Where was all this sympathy when she was bullying people before?"

"Exactly. She totally deserves to get dumped. Jackson's way out of her league anyway."

Fiona kept her face blank as she walked past the gossiping crowd, but the second someone said Jackson's name, a sharp ache twisted inside her. She missed him more than she wanted to admit.

They made their way to the records office, finally leaving the whispers behind.

"You okay?" Tyler asked, pulling out a folder. "You look like you're about to pass out."

up, her voice icy.

directory and found Jean's file quickly. If there was anywhere the records

surprising-Jean's tuition had actually been covered by

name was everywhere lately. Bringing Jean on board suddenly

found a group crowded around the door, peering inside but not

appeared, the crowd's

fought so hard to get into Center College, and this is how you

rumor you read online? Don't you know how

forward, putting themselves between Fiona, Tyler, and

wrong—just here to spread gossip," one

if you dare! Another girl from the crowd pointed, glaring at the defenders. "You're all siding with Fiona now? How much did she

Jane had come out of nowhere, marching up and smacking the girl across the face. "If you can't

clutching Jean's file—she'd already gotten permission to take it-called

the group

was that afternoon; there was no time

three of them grabbed a quick bite at a nearby