But parents doting on their kids was standard.
Her parents did the exact same thing.
She had never in her life seen a sibling volunteer for manual labor like this.
"Yeah, he..."
If Skylar only knew that Owen was a trust-fund billionaire who usually had an army of maids picking up after him.
Instead of exposing his true nature, Claire played along. "He's definitely full of surprises."
Honestly, Owen was surprising Claire as well.
She had never pictured him scrubbing down a tiny dorm room.
Yet here he was, working up a sweat and flat-out refusing to let her lift a single finger to help.
"Just take a quick video of me in action," he instructed over his shoulder. "Drop it in the family group chat so Norris and Phil can see it. Prove to them that letting me handle move-in day was the smartest decision ever made!"
Claire laughed and obliged, recording his dramatic cleaning routine while continuing to chat with Skylar.
Right as they were comparing class schedules, the door swung open again.
A stunning girl strutted into the room, tossing her voluminous, perfectly styled waves over her shoulder.
She moved with effortless confidence, flanked by two older women trailing behind her like a royal entourage.
One of the women dripped in high-end designer brands and diamonds, while the other was dressed in a simple, practical uniform, struggling under the weight of three massive suitcases.
The diva immediately collapsed onto the nearest chair with a dramatic sigh. "Finally.
I can't believe this ancient building doesn't even have an elevator."
"I know, sweetheart. It's an absolute tragedy they expect you to live in these conditions."
"With your delicate frame, how are you ever going to carry your packages up those stairs?"
The glamorous woman was clearly her mother.
"Don't worry, Mrs. Zeller. I'll drive up twice a week to check on Zara and take all her laundry back to the house."
"You're the absolute best, Connie!" Zara beamed.
The maid efficiently began laying down silk bedsheets.
With the manual labor handled, Mrs. Zeller finally turned her hawkish gaze onto her daughter's new roommates.
"Hello, girls. I assume you're sharing the suite with my Zara?"
"I'll admit, we've spoiled her quite a bit, so I hope you'll bear with her quirks. If yo all free for lunch
love to take everyone out to a nice
restaurant."
Mrs. Zeller definitely possessed the air of a pretentious socialite, but she clearly knew how to play the game and win over a crowd.
If Claire had been an average, broke college student, the lavish offer might have made her feel pressured or intimidated.
But Claire was far from average.
"Thank you for the offer, Mrs. Zeller. I'm Claire, but I'll have to pass on lunch. I'm heading home right after this."
"I'm Skylar! I'm gonna pass too. I want to check out the dining halls today, but thank you so much!"
If Claire hadn't politely declined first, Skylar probably would have enthusiastically tagged along without a second thought.
But seeing Claire opt out gave her pause.
Zara's mother was clearly dripping in old money. Taking her up on the meal meant dining at some outrageously expensive spot, and Skylar knew she'd never be able t to afford returning the favor later. That kind of financial imbalance always made friendships messy
"The dining hall? That sounds
wonderful. Let me leave Zara here to explore the campus food with you girls so you can bond Once your freshman, orientation wraps up, 1, insist on hosting you all for dinner."
"I won't take no for an answer!"
The woman was a master of diplomacy.
"Sounds great!" Skylar agreed eagerly.
Mrs. Zeller's gaze slid back to Claire. "Are you a local, sweetie?"
Her ears were sharp.
Despite Claire's flawless English, her cadence lacked the specific, fast-paced drawl
native to the city's elite.
"No, I'm from out of town. But my grandfather lives here."
"Ah, I thought so. Your accent gave it away."
Mrs. Zeller didn't press further.
At that exact moment, Owen finished adjusting the window blinds and vaulted gracefully off Claire's desk.
Mrs. Zeller let out a startled gasp, stumbling backward. She hadn't even realized there was a man in the room.