Free Timeless by Alexandra Monir Page A

shoulder.
    “Good luck!” Annaleigh called.
    “Thanks,” she replied, forcing a smile. “I’ll need it!”

    Michele stared at the scene in front of her as she reached Berkshire High School. The white stone Upper East Side school looked a little like the Windsor Mansion, with its Roman-inspired facade, Corinthian columns flanking the front doors, and wrought-iron gates surrounding the building. The front entrance seemed to be a makeshift runway, as glamour girls strutted up the steps one at a time, each managing to turn the dress code into a fashion statement. A willowy blonde with voluminous hair wore a flouncy, pleated black and red plaid skirt with an embroidered short black blazer, platform pumps, and a black leather designer satchel moonlighting as a backpack. Next up was a gorgeous African American girl wearing a stylish red trench coat over her green plaid jumper, with a large Chanel quilted handbag slung over her shoulder. The guys looked equally polished, with their perfectly coiffed hair, dark blazers over white button-down shirts and colorful ties, and gray or khaki belted pants. Feeling infinitely less glamorous than her classmates, Michele followed them up the stairs, her eyes on the ground.
    With the help of her school map, Michele eventually foundher first-period class, U.S. history. As the students filtered in, Michele approached the teacher.
    “Mr. Lewis? I’m the new girl, Michele Windsor.”
    Mr. Lewis beamed and gave her a hearty handshake. “Welcome to Berkshire, Michele! We’re so happy to have you here.”
    “Thanks. Where should I sit?”
    “Oh, just wait here with me. I want to introduce you to the class!” he said, grinning at her as if Michele really ought to be excited about this. She stood awkwardly at the front of the classroom as the students looked at her curiously. Caissie Hart was among the last of the small group of students to arrive, and she gave Michele a tiny smile before getting into her seat.
    As soon as the bell rang and everyone else was seated, Mr. Lewis announced, “Class, this is our new transfer student. Meet Michele Windsor, of the very Windsor family some of you studied in the New York history elective last year. She’s the first Windsor we’ve had here at school in almost twenty years, so let’s be sure to make her feel welcome!”
    Michele smiled tentatively and quickly slid into the only empty seat. She could feel her classmates eyeing her up and down, surveying her appearance, and her face burned with embarrassment. She couldn’t help wondering how she measured up to their expectations of the newest Windsor princess.
    The boy sitting next to Michele turned to her and gave her a friendly smile. He had a very all-American, Abercrombie look: dark blond hair, brown eyes, and a boyish grin. Michele smiled back shyly.
    As she was leaving at the end of class, Michele heard Caissie call her name. “Hey, wait up!”
    Michele turned around, but she soon realized that Caissie wasn’t talking to her. She watched as Caissie caught up with the other Michelle in class and the two of them sauntered out of the room together. With a sigh, Michele followed them out the door, hoping they hadn’t noticed her stop. But a quiet chuckle over her shoulder told her that someone had witnessed her embarrassing move.
    “Hey.” It was the guy she’d sat next to. “I’m Ben, by the way. Ben Archer.”
    “Hi. I’m—” Michele stopped short, feeling her face flush. “Well, you obviously know who I am, after that whole introduction.”
    “Yeah.” Ben laughed. “Actually, the teachers told us last week that you’d be coming here. There’s been a lot of buzz going around about what you’d be like.”
    “Oh.” To her mortification, Michele felt her face grow even redder. “I’m not really used to being the center of attention. Not at all, actually.”
    “Yeah. You’re really normal for a Windsor,” Ben commented. “In a good way.” He grinned at her.
    “Oh,