"Yeah, well, I should be the last person who should react to him," I sighed.
She nodded with a frown. "What a pity."
I should not be pitied. I was quite okay with being single. "It's okay. At least, I have his arrogant charm to ward me off."
We both chuckled.
"So true. I'm glad there's a light in the tunnel."
"Hmmm. There's always light when you keep your flashlight in handy." I showed her a smile.
She stepped down on the stair I sat on. "I guess, I have to start walking with mine."
"You bet you."
Her lips were tilted at the edges, exposing straight white teeth, while she held out a manicured hand. "Hi, my name's Ashley. I'd like to be one of your Advisors."
Advisor? Oh, gosh!
My smile dropped and I jumped to my feet. Ashley staggered two steps back. Her smile was replaced by a questioning look.
Summer was going to have one of her annoying fits. Ugh, I could imagine my ears bleeding from all the blathering she had in store for me.
"I'm sorry. I just remember I have a candidate awaiting my arrival." And, here I was, hiding from a male.
Useless.
I took a step up, but stopped and turned to Ashley. "So, Ashley, why does everyone think it's important for me to have an Advisor and not a friend?"
Her cheeks grew a rosy color while the smile returned. "Sorry, I know it can be a little overwhelming."
I arched an eyebrow. "A little?"
We ascended the stairs, pushed the door at the top open, and ventured outside.
Her snicker alerted my eardrums. "Okay, maybe a lot. But, it's all for a good cause."
Right. "It sucks."
Her snicker grew louder. "Don't worry, it's for another few months then you're free."
How I wished it was simple.
We passed a small group of wolves and surprisingly they greeted her by name.
Wolves had a distinctive scent. Somewhere along the line, my nose must have been clogged because she had the scent of a vampire.
Darn, that alpha!
"Sometimes I'm even more terrified of the real world."
"Yeah," I agreed. "So much is expected of me and I can't fail." I won't fail.
"I can't begin to imagine all the pressure you're under. I know your parents are leaders, so you must have a lot on your plate, but I can tell you one thing."
We traveled along the corridor; our silhouette clicked on tiles. Clip for a clip. Thud for a thud.
"What's that?"
"I sense your strength. I can tell you're a strong person. Once you're strong and self-driven, you can overcome anything."
I could not help the smile which broke out on my lips. I doubt she knew the simple statement could move mountains. With just that, she won my heart. Whether she said it because she wanted a position as my right-hand man or not, it did the trick. I wanted an Advisor who was quick on her feet, yet knew how to simmer my moods. A characteristic which Ashley had.
We turned a corner several feet to the cafeteria. Another small group emerged from the canteen, chattering among themselves, food trays in hands. Like the first group, these students also greeted Ashley. I knew for a fact these students weren't wolves. Their thinner body built and creamy skin color categorized them as vampires. So, why had they greeted her? What was going on here?
I never even bothered to hide my confusion. "You're quite the celebrity. What are you?"
She uses her palm to drown out her chuckle. "I'm a vam-wolf."
Hmmm, a hybrid. It explained why both species accepted her. She was a little of both.
Her eyes wandered the area. Her cheeks grew redder as she did this. "I guess, I'm a little too friendly. My dad said it's my strength and weakness."
Parents. They thought they knew everything.
Now it was my turn to say, "Don't worry." A reassuring smile aimed at her. "Caroline was friendly and she was one of the greatest hybrids ever lived."
Her smile brightened, but for a second before it transformed into a frown. "Look what it got her. She was cursed by her best friend."
Oh, right.
Maybe I was not as good as her at this lifting of spirits thing. Ugh, I needed more practice. "Well, she's dead. She doesn't have a say. It's good to be friendly, full stop. There doesn't have to be a conjunction after it."
Her girlish giggle traveled down my ear canals. "Thanks. It means a lot."
In the short time spent with this girl, I had felt more relaxed than I did with Summer or any of the other girls I had spent time with. Ashley had one of those personalities a person had to like. No wonder both vampires and wolves took a liking to her.
Which was why I said, "I like you, Ashley. I'll have to ask Summer to include you in the line-up."
Her head bobbed. Orange eyes twinkled with happiness. "Thanks."
"No problem. You earned it."
This was one of the reasons why being in the Elite was not all a pain. I could get the chance to help people like myself. The feeling I got when Ashley smiled was enough to conjure happiness of my own. Happy, I was able to give her some kind of comfort and satisfaction.
It was a pity I could only select one Advisor. All the girls I hung out with had great potential and characteristics which made great Advisors.
A long breath left my lips.
I hoped this was easier.
The depressing thought was pushed from my mind when we neared the cafeteria door. I needed to be level-headed when I sat in front of the candidate. My future relied on the decision I made regarding this Advisor stuff. I had to pick right. I had to show them I could select the best. I could be the best.