There went Sylvie’s chance of logging into Sagebook to dig up information.
Now what?
“I’d advise you not to let anything else illegal slip your mind,” continued Kitty. “You’ve got to put your best foot forward if you want to finish top of your class.”
Would her best even be enough? The Apple of Discord had bloomed … with her name on it. But instead of telling Kitty the unbelievable truth, Sylvie smiled politely. “Thanks. I’ll remember that.”
The glow in Kitty’s pocket vanished, along with part of Sylvie’s plan. She’d just been outwitted by a couple of kittens and a spoonful of marinara.Totally humiliating!
Forget about it. A great cook can always improvise,she reminded herself.So that’s what I’ll do.Tomorrow, Sylvie would go to the library for orientation. Then, she’d focus on finishing first in her class and getting her Blade. She wasn’t going to let anyone or anything else decide her fate.
Ladies Don’t Ride Skateboards
INSIDE, THE FLOOR WAS FLECKED WITH STONES THAT REMINDEDSylvie of rock candy. Lights that looked like lava lamps lined the common room, puffing out fruity aromas.
Grape. Cherry.Sylvie tried to figure out what green smelled like.Fig?
“Pips are free to study and mingle here,” said Kitty, gesturing to several overstuffed couches that had been neatly arranged.
Sylvie eyed the two contraptions on the far wall …vending machines.
In one, a rainbow of fruit juices cascaded down, splashing like a waterfall into a metal trough lined with cups. Squeezed behind the glass of the other was a wild vine covered in vibrant topaz flowers.
“Are you hungry?” Kitty slipped her hand into the dispenser. “Instructor Gideon handles our foraging and farming classes. Her students planted these butterfly peas.”
The flowers on the vine began to flutter.
“I’m fine. Thank you,” said Sylvie, staring as the petals swooped down onto Kitty’s skin like a kaleidoscope.
Kitty pulled her hand out and popped a pea into her mouth. “They replace the produce three times a week. Should be planting dragon fruit tomorrow. Your room is this way.”
Sylvie stole a final glance at the flitting blooms and followed Kitty down a long corridor.
“The dorm has twelve rooms, two to each, allowing for a total of twenty-four potential students at a time,” said Kitty. “Flora Jackson, one of Brindille’s star pupils, acts as mentor to the Pips. You’ll meet her tomorrow at breakfast. Afterwards, she’ll escort you to the library, where you’ll learn more about the school and your classes.”
Numbered doors lined the hallway. Between them, rice paper scrolls hung on the walls, flashing messages.
WELCOMEPIPS!
ORIENTATION AND APRON MEASURING TOMORROW!
ONLY 42 DAYS LEFT UNTIL TESTING!
Sylvie stared at the sign.Forty-two days for everyone but me.She had one extra hurdle … finishing top in her class.
“So, Madame Godard dislikes the CCS’s new ranking system?” Sylvie blurted.
If Kitty was surprised by the question, she did a good job hiding it. “At Brindille, we let a student’s performance speak for itself. Judging someone by the color of the dot pinned to their uniform or their family history … you might as well judge a meal by a picture rather than eating it. That said, these obstacles often build character, especially when you’re not the only one facing them. You and your new roommate will have a few things in common.”
Before Sylvie could askwhat,Kitty rapped a fist on the door with a brass number8stuck to it.
A cacophony of voices echoed out.
“I thought rooms housed two people,” said Sylvie.
“They do,” said Kitty. “But Georgia Shaw is already rather popular with the other Pips.”
The door swung open.
