“Good evening, Miss Kitty.” A young girl with sapphire eyes, pouty lips, and glossy blonde hair stood on the other side.
“Good evening, Georgia.” Miss Kitty gestured toward Sylvie. “This is Sylvie Jones. She’ll be your new roommate.”
Two boys and a girl sat on the floor inside the room. The girl had a broad and pasty face. She stared knowingly at Sylvie before turning to the others.
“It’sher,” she whispered. “The one who—”
“Shh! Adara, she’ll hear you,” said the boy, who was as big as the giant crookneck squash in the garden.
Rise above it,Sylvie reminded herself, smiling politely.
“Nice to meet you.” Georgia looked Sylvie up and down.
Sylvie’s black jeggings, loose-fitted T-shirt, and denim jacket stood in stark contrast to Georgia’s rhinestone-studded cupcake earrings and stylish pastel sweater.
She pointed to the text on Sylvie’s shirt and smiled. “Killing It? Well, you’re certainly murdering fashion. But if you want, I can help with that.”
Sylvie forced a smile. “Thanks. I’ll keep it in mind.”But I’d rather eat a Reaper pepper than wear pastels.She kept this last bit to herself. Sylvie had no idea what Miss Kitty thought she and Georgia might have in common. It seemed clear that they were total opposites.
Georgia sucked in her lips. Sylvie got the feeling she was trying not to laugh.
The enormous boy stood up. His head nearly touched the ceiling, though something about the way he carried himself—shoulders curved in, head down—made him seem small. “I’m Shawn Parker … but everyone just calls me Big Shawn.” He held out a hand.
Sylvie put on a smile. “Nice to meet you. Cool watch, by the way.” She pointed to the contraption on his wrist, flashing notes instead of numbers.BRAVO! YOU’RE ON TIME.
“Oh … thanks. It’s a FizzleFott’s fondant watch.” Shawn’s face drooped. “My parents got it for my brother.”
Sylvie got the feeling her compliment hadn’t gone over well.
“Howisyour brother doing?” Kitty asked.
Shawn shrugged. “I guess he’s fine… . My dad sent him off to a trade school. Said there was no sense keeping him home since he failed the test and can’t take over the family business.”
Sylvie silently scolded herself. She’d tried breaking the ice, but instead she’d kicked a hornet’s nest.
“Now, it’s all up to me,” said Shawn. “I just wish I knewwhatwent wrong with Sam’s recipe,whyhe failed. Maybe then I’d have a better shot?”
Kitty gave Shawn’s arm a pat. “The test has two jobs. One, reveal if you have the talent to become a Sage. Two, prevent cheating by erasing any memory of the process. So, instead of worrying about what happened to your brother, I’d study hard. A strong foundation is the key to success.”
“I agree.” Georgia gestured toward a sheet pan lined with buttercream rosettes. “I brought some pastry bags and frosting from home. We were just practicing piping skills.”
Adara scowled. “But who knows if that’s even part of the test.”
“One way or another, all knowledge is useful,” said Miss Kitty. “Well done, Georgia.”
Georgia smiled sweetly. “Like the school motto says, we’re all stronger when we work together.”
Sylvie glanced nervously at the sheet pan.Maybe I should’ve brought some frosting too.
“Well, I’m sure Sylvie will want to get settled in.” Kitty stepped past Georgia and removed the sheet pan from the empty bed. “The rest of you best head back to your rooms.”
One by one, the others shuffled out.
Sylvie tossed her backpack onto the bed.
A stack of beauty magazines was piled next to Georgia’s dresser. Sylvie eyed the girl on the top cover, with perfectly coiffed hair and polished nails.She would’ve been Georgia’s perfect roommate.
“I’ll let you two get acquainted.” Kitty gave Sylvie’s bag another suspicious glance. “Remember what I said about letting rules slip your mind. Tread carefully.”
