I might end up getting desperate enough to ask for River’s help. Whether he will or not is an entirely different story. Plus, could he even help me that much? He did have trophies in that box, but still …
I dig out my phone and pull up the PR list online. Then I search for his name, and my jaw nearly bitch-slaps the floor.
Yep, he could help me. At least he’s fast enough that he probably has some pointers.
“Good God, that’s fast.” I stare at his records for a while before pocketing my phone. Then I head to my bags so I can unpack.
Ten minutes later, I have everything put away, and it’s clear the closet has too much space for my stuff. Still, I feel this weird sensation in my chest, almost as if I could be happy, maybe, just maybe. Then my phone buzzes, and I’m reminded that while I might have temporarily left northside, that doesn’t mean it hasn’t been part of me for my entire life.
Hannah:Hey, babe. I’m still on the road trip, but Will heard a rumor that Drew is looking for you and that there’s a whisper put out on you. Please tell me you’re okay.
I grit my teeth as I read the text. A whisper is a discreet word northside uses to let everyone know a bounty has been put on someone. It doesn’t necessarily mean they’re going to kill me,but it won’t be pretty if they catch me. In fact, I know what they will do—they’ll beat me up then probably make me either sell drugs or whore myself out to pay for what my father’s done.
Suddenly, I’m even more grateful to be at the academy because, besides the people involved in my scholarship, no one else knows where I am.
I chew on my thumbnail as worry stirs inside me. What if someone does find out? I don’t see how they would, but it could happen.
Just take a deep breath, Maddy. If you can get through your childhood, you can get through this.
I send Hannah a reply.
Me: I’m good. Just hiding out for a while. I’ll keep you posted.
Hannah: I’m so glad. I was so worried. If you need anything, please ask. I know it’s not your style, but I want to help.
I won’t ask her for help because it’s not my style, and it’s not her style either. Hannah is wild as hell, and I’m not. To be honest, I think part of the reason we still talk to each other is because we’ve been friends since we were kids. We’re not close anymore, haven’t been since she started dating Will, who’s a total wanna-be badass. It’s so annoying.
“Hey.” Lily pokes her head into her room, startling me. “I don’t want to interrupt your unpacking or anything, but I wanted to see if maybe you needed help picking out something to wear.” She crosses her arms. “I mean, you can totally wear what you have on, but I’d feel like the worst roommate ever if I didn’t let you in on the unsaid dress code for these types of things. It’s never required to dress a specific way to events. However, we’ll be judged—we’re always judged.”
“Thanks for the tip.” I stand up and toss my phone onto my bed. “I’m not a nice outfit sort of girl, so I don’t know if I have anything, but I’ll see what I can find.”
I step into the closet and start sifting through the clothes that I hung up. “I have a dress,” I call out. “But that’s about it.”
“Can I see it?”
“Sure.” I exit the closet with the plaid, thin-strapped dress in my hands. It reaches just above my knees, but the top shows a lot of skin. “I’m not sure if it’ll work or not.”
“It’s super cute, but …” She taps her finger against her lip. “Maybe if you wore a fitted T-shirt underneath it? Do you have one?”
“I have a black one.”
“That’ll look so cute.”
“Am I trying to look cute?”
“Cute and classy.”
Her outfit does fit into those categories.
“What about tights?” she asks, assessing the dress as if she’s visualizing the finished outfit.
I shake my head. “Nah, I don’t own any. Never have.”
“Really?” Her eyes widen as I shake my head again. She considers this then asks, “Do you want to borrow a pair of mine?”
Tights sound like an awful, itchy thing to wear, but again, I want to attempt to do well here, so I nod and tell her, “Sure. Thanks.”
Her smile widens, and then she exits the room. A moment later, she returns with a pair of knee-high tights. Then she leaves so I can change.
