My father chuckled. “Kaia probably disagrees, as always, justto be contrary.”
I shrank against my seat belt, hating being talked about like I wasn’t right here.
He parked at the Main Hall’s entrance. I unbuckled and climbed out before he told me I could.
Wind cooled my flushed face, carrying the scent of flowers. A few girls in green-and-black checkered skirts and crisp white polos passed by, their curious glances making me hyperaware of my hoodie and jeans. I must’ve looked like a bruise against all that polish, but I had pretty clothes too.
Like the pink dress I’d worn to Asher’s race. Back then, the future had seemed bright—before the disastrous test, before Asher’s fight. Now I was here, and he was hours away, racing. I pushed down the ache of worry and tuned in to Dad, who stood on the steps talking to a tall, short-haired woman in a beige pantsuit.
“Kaia, this is Principal Hollings,” he said. “My daughter, Kaia.” He hesitated, flicking a glance at me. “I already told her about your…struggles.”
Struggles.I cringed. Our relationship was the biggest one, but I doubted he mentioned that.
I extended my hand. Principal Hollings shook it firmly, her eyes scanning me as if Dad’s words had primed her to spot rebellion written on my face.
“Welcome to Willowbrook,” she said. “We’re happy to have you join our family. Mister Demeri—” She turned to Dad. “Would you like to handle the paperwork before or after we show Kaia the dorms? Or maybe her mother could go with her.”
Sharon wasn’t my mother. My mom wouldn’t have sent me away. I wanted to correct Principal Hollings but bit my tongue. Sharon wasn’t a stranger in my father’s house.
I was.
Dad nodded curtly. “Go to the dorm with Sharon, then. I’ll join you in a few.”
He followed the principal inside, and I exhaled, rubbing my palms over my face. Sharon opened her mouth like she might say something, then closed it again. Better that way. She and Dad had a talent for choosing the wrong words.
I trailed after her to the dorms. As we stepped inside, a curly-haired woman in a navy sheath dress turned toward us.
She looked young, early thirties maybe, with warm eyes behind horn-rimmed glasses that crinkled when she smiled—friendly, genuine. “Kaia and Sharon, right? I’ve been expecting you. My name’s Sarah. I’m a residential advisor. Kaia, let me show you your room.”
Her heels clicked on the polished floor as she led us down a wide hallway. Sunlight spilled through arched windows to our left, catching motes of dust in the air. Girls’ laughter floated from behind identical white doors. Sarah stopped at number thirteen and knocked, her smile widening.
A groan came from the other side. “One second.” Sarah lifted her shoulders in an apologetic shrug, curls bouncing. “That’s Alba, one of your roommates.”
One of them?I was about to ask how many girls I’d be crammed in with when the door swung open. A girl my height stood there, vivid green eyes sharp under glossy brown hair grazing her chin.
“Welcome,” she mumbled, stepping aside before nodding at the neatly made bed by the right wall. “That one’s yours. See you later.”
Just like that, she slipped past us, slippers slapping against the polished wood in the hall.
Once again, I felt like an intruder. If even my new roommate couldn’t be bothered to talk, making friends here wouldn’t be easy. I crossed the room and sat on the bed, smoothing a hand over the beige throw.
“The room looks great, doesn’t it?” Sharon gushed, her voice too bright. She was probably thrilled to have me out of the way so she and Dad could live their love story uninterrupted. “So much natural light, and you’ve got an amazing view.”
And bars on the window. Someone must’ve already tried to escape. The thought sank like a stone, smothering the small spark of hope I’d had about making friends here.
Sarah cleared her throat. “Well, I hope you like your room, Kaia. Alba’s a bit rough around the edges, but I’m sure you’ll get along with Teagan.”
Laughter rang in the hallway before a blonde girl swept inside like she owned the place. “Sarah.” She beamed. “Is this—oh my God. You’reKaia, right? The new girl?” Her honey-colored eyes landed on me. I rose to my feet slowly—it felt wrong to sit while she looked so eager.
“I’m Teagan.” She threw her arms around me, hugging tight and swaying us side to side. “I’ve been looking forward to this fordays. How are you? I love your hair.” She lifted a strand and inspected it, smile plastered in place.
I wanted friends here, but who was this candid with a stranger? What if my hair was the only good thing about me?
“Leave the new girl alone,” Alba said, marching back into the room past Sarah and Sharon.
Teagan scoffed. “It wouldn’t kill you to be friendly.”
Alba shrugged. “Why risk my life trying?”
