The Dream Job

I’m the senior who attends an exclusive private school for free because my dad is a teacher. I’m ready for a drama free year when a new student starts attending Dream Prep Academy. I’m offered a job guiding Milo around school and I jump at the opportunity because his mom can give me a recommendation for my dream internship.

Milo and I joke I’m paid to date him, and soon everyone believes it’s true. But I cross the professional line when my feelings turn all too real and threaten my chance at the internship. But the joke is on me when my dream job is staring me in the face. Will I see what is right in front of me in time or will I wreck any chance I have of a dream come true?

The Dream Job is a standalone sweet romance in the Dream Prep Academy series. It’s perfect for fans of fake dating, sweet gestures, and swoony moments.

A name can say everything about a person, or nothing at all. I’m always questioned about the origin of my name. I wasn’t even a twinkle in my parents’ eyes when they decided to name a future daughter after a female character in a movie about a boy and his dog. If they had a son first, he would have been named after the dog. They got me.

“Rivers,” my dad says to get my attention. “Do you have everything you need?”

“Yes.” I rifle through a file of papers. “Why can’t we print out a schedule if a parent needs a hard copy? This is a huge waste of paper.”,

“I know, I know.” Dad rolls his eyes. I’m not sure if it’s at me or at the stack of papers. “For being a school proud of its technology, they sure keep things old-fashioned. And there’s always the parent who can’t find their kid’s schedule in their email or on the app.”

“Like Mom?” I ask with a smirk.

“You know she’s not coming tonight? I mean, you’re going to be a senior. It’s not like she doesn’t know how this all works.” Dad returns the smirk.

“I saw her in her baby blue fleece pants and shirt,” I say. Once those are on for the night, they’re not coming off.

“I’m here for you,” Dad says.

“You’re here because you have to be.” I snort and add a playful roll of my eyes.

Dad teaches ninth grade science at Dream Prep Academy, a sixth through twelfth grade private school. Free tuition for admitted children is a perk of the job as the teaching salary will barely cover a year of tuition. I take advantage of the expensive perk, while my younger brother attends public school.

“Maybe your mom would come if she was paid.” Dad doesn’t drop the smirk.

“There’s not enough money in the world,” I say. “It’ll be her dream come true when I graduate.”

Mom’s not fond of dealing with certain parents at this elite school, and I don’t blame her. Some of the parents are a little much.

“She loves that you love it here,” Dad says. “And she’s also not fond of parent activities at Cory’s school.”
I laugh. Mom used some colorful words when she described the storm of chaperoning sixth grade boys at the zoo.

“You’d better get to your classroom,” I say. “The preppy parents will be upon us soon.”

Dad smiles. “Aren’t you supposed to have help tonight?”
I glance around for Jayden. Typical. He signs up for stuff, shows up late, and charms his way out of any consequences. His extreme gorgeousness only helps him evade trouble.

“He’ll show at some point.” A wave of doubt washes over me.

Why would Jayden work a Friday night? He was scheduled to help Thursday with his girlfriend, Bianca. I was scheduled to work with Bryant, but he messaged me yesterday to tell me he traded with Jayden.
“I’ll see you when this is all over.” Dad waves and heads to the door. The science building is across the courtyard from the commons building.

“Rivers.”

I look over my shoulder. Dr. Hunter, the head of the school, walks toward me with her high heels clicking on the floor. She’s indistinguishable from the rich parents with her high fashion clothes, expensive jewelry, and salon blown out hair. I understand why Mom bowed out of tonight. She attends enough functions with rich parents to find an excuse to get out of the ones she can. Dr. Hunter’s outfit costs more than my mom spends on her wardrobe in a year.

“Hello, Dr Hunter,” I say. “Everything is set here.”

“Great,” Dr. Hunter replies. “Give parents or guardians the schedule if they need it. Answer any questions and guide them. We have three rounds for parents to make it to multiple students’ classes. I don’t expect it to be busy tonight.”

“Sounds good,” I say.

Parent nights are Thursday and Friday evening, over a week before school starts. It’s an event for new families. Other families are still on vacation or don’t show up if they’re familiar with the school.

“I know I can count on you,” Dr. Hunter says with a pinched smile matching mine. Things are a little awkward between us now and Dr. Hunter’s statement is either a thinly veiled threat or a hope of hers.

I’m the reliable one, always willing to help, and able to keep a secret. I attend on a tuition waiver and there’s an underlying expectation I’ll repay it through my assistance and good behavior. I can’t be the troublemaker, the class clown, the slack off, or even the brown noser. Not that I want to be any of those, but sometimes I wonder if I did something against the rules, if I would be treated like the rich kids. My parents can’t afford to pay for any mistakes.

“Hey, Dr. Hunter,” a jovial voice shouts. “I’m here on time.”

“Jayden.” Dr. Hunter appraises him, deciding whether to let his casual look stand. He’s in athletic shorts and a school soccer t-shirt when we were told to dress in our school uniform. Dr. Hunter said we set the first impression for new families to the school. “At least you have a school shirt on.”

Jayden pulls the shirt away from his very fine chest. “I thought I’d show some school spirit and help promote the athletics.”

Again, I pinch my lips. Dream Prep Academy is touted as an academic college prep school, but with the amount of money pumped into the athletic department, you’d think the school wants to transform us into professional athletes. Money can buy equipment, facilities, and even bribe talented athletes, but it can’t buy a state championship team, and Dream Prep Academy lacks those. One star athlete can’t carry a whole team and Jayden knows it.

“Wonderful idea,” Dr. Hunter says. “You promote athletics and Rivers can promote academics. I’ll be in my office to make announcements and sound the bell. Parents can meet me after each round, but I’m not to be disturbed during the rounds unless it’s imperative.”
Dr. Hunter spins on her fancy heels and hightails it away. It’s hard not to think she wants to put distance between me and the secret I discovered this summer.

“Rivers.” Jayden aims his swoon worthy smile at me. It’s hard to not fall under his charm. His perfect teeth are surrounded by lush lips amid smooth brown skin. His warm orange undertones always make him appear as if he’s bathed in a spectacular sunset. Add in his muscular, trim physique and he’s the definition of some girl’s dream guy. I prefer to think I’m more attracted to what’s on the inside, and I only know Jayden’s outside, but I’ll admit he’s attractive. “Do we have any classes together this term?” he asks.

“I’m not sure,” I say as Jayden takes the empty chair next to me. He wraps an arm around the back of my chair, and I notice the string bracelet he always wears is absent. I suspect the missing bracelet has a meaning.