The memory of Victoria's questions, Edward's curious stares, and Eric's obvious discomfort played over and over in her mind.
"I didn't know what to say," she admitted. "I felt so out of place. Like I didn't belong there."
Noah leaned forward slightly, his expression becoming more serious.
"Hailey," he said carefully. "Can you see that the two of you don't match?"
The question hung in the air between them, filled with implication. Hailey felt her stomach clench as she processed his words.
"What do you mean?" she asked, though part of her already knew what he was getting at.
"You and Eric," Noah clarified, his voice soft but firm. "You don't belong in the same world. Tonight proved that."
Hailey's defensive instincts kicked in immediately.
"But Eric can take me for who I am," she said, her voice gaining strength with each word. "He doesn't care about any of that social status stuff. He's not like that."
Noah's expression became even more concerned, almost pitying.
