“You’re a legacy and you don’t know how to get into your own room?” Alex frowned. “Didn’t you read the orientation paperwork?”
“Ahh, not yet. I figured I would when I got here.”
“Sotypicalof a legacy.” Alex rolled his eyes.
My lips parted in surprise, and I was about to retort when he spoke again.
“The professors enchant our rooms to open for us and us alone. Put your hand on the door handle and say your name. That’s all you have to do. It’s voice activation, not rocket science.”
“Oh . . . thanks. I—”
But before I could finish, Alex Wardwell, one of the most beautiful guys I’d ever seen, walked back to his room and slammed the door shut.
Chapter Three
Alex was right. Getting into my room had been easy once I knew the trick.
I felt like an idiot for not knowing, when it had been so simple. Why hadn’t I read through the orientation paperwork? Of course I’d been busy before I left California. Saying goodbye to my friends and packing up my life had taken priority. Still, I probablycouldhave made time on the plane from L.A to the east coast. But even if all that was true, there was another part of me that felt super annoyed by Alex’s attitude. Was everyone at the school a big jerk?
I hoped not, but at the very least, my room didn’t suck. Actually, it wasawesome. My window looked out over the lake. A desk sat against the wall opposite my bed, with a pamphlet of rules and information on top. A shoulder-height dresser graced the other wall. There was a door to an en-suite bathroom, complete with a claw-foot tub and shower combo, toilet room, and ample storage for linens. Judging by the size of my closet, it was a good thing Mom had limited me to five suitcases. Not even a quarter of my clothes back home would fit in the dinky space.
Most surprising of all was the fact that my bed was way larger than I’d imagined it. Just laying eyes on the queen-size mattress made me grateful that I’d chosen Spellcasters and not some normal college where they stuck adults into twin beds. How did people even smoosh themselves into those?
Alex wouldn’t fit, he’s too tall and. . . I caught myself nearly swooning, and shook the image of Mr. Grouchy from my mind.
I opened the window, and cleansing, pine-scented air flooded my room. My lips pulled up in a smile as I tossed my bag on the bed and began dumping out my belongings. I hummed softly as I lined up my favorite books on top of my dresser. I’d just perfected color coding them when the sound of a door closing nearby was quickly followed by a loud crash.
My spine straightened. Had that come from my bathroom? I strode to the door, flung it open, and let out a yip of astonishment.
A girl stood before me, covered in white powder—baby powder, judging by the smell. Other products littered the floor, also covered in baby powder.
“I’m so sorry!” the girl wailed, her cheeks coloring to match her scorching red hair. “I dropped the damn bottle and kept trying to catch it like a total klutz, but the lid was loose and it bouncedeverywhere! I didn’t mean to make such a racket and freak you out.”
My fingers pressed against my lips as I tried to hold back the laughter bubbling up my throat. “It wasn’t so much noise, but I didn’t expect to find anyone in here. I’m guessing that door goes to your room?” I pointed to the door I’d thought had been a linen closet.
“Yup. It’s a Jack and Jill bathroom. Thankfully, the toilet has its own room. That way one of us can brush our teeth while the other pees in peace.”
I’d never shared a bathroom, but I knew at regular colleges, an entire floor often shared too few toilets and showers. This was much better.
“Works for me. I’m Odette.” I stuck out my hand.
“Evanora, but I prefer Eva. Less pretentious.” The girl brushed the baby powder off her hand before shaking mine. “Did you get here recently?”
I nodded. “You?”
“I arrived last night with most of the new students. My parents couldn’t wait another minute to drop me off. Well, I guess they didn’t really drop me off. They’ll leave after the orientation dinner.”
“Yeah, mine are still here too. It’s gonna be weird seeing them leave. I’ll miss them.”
I bit my lip, realizing how much I meant the words, despite my parents trying to dissuade me from attending Spellcasters every other minute. It was the first time I’d be away from them for longer than two weeks. No matter how excited I was about the academy, that prospect was still intimidating.
Eva waved her hand, and a cloud of powder filled the air. “Mine can’t leave fast enough. Then I can have some flipping peace!”
A giggle escaped me. “Have they been helicoptering since you got here? Mine would, if Headmistress Wake hadn’t invited them to lunch.”
Eva raised a ginger eyebrow. “My parents would kill for that privilege!” A thoughtful look crossed her face. “Now that you mention it, I haven’t seen them all morning. They must have found someone to hang out with. They were dying to return to Spellcasters and see if any of their old classmates were around. My parents love this place.”
“I wish mine were like that.”
