I cocked my head.Predicament?
“Possibly, Mr. and Mrs. Dane,” Headmistress Wake said grudgingly. It struck me as odd that she insisted on using my parents’ last name while they called her Priscilla. Hadn’t they all been in the same Spellcasters class? “If it concerns you so—oh dear!”
Headmistress Wake turned the corner and nearly ran right into me.
Mom’s hand flew to her heart as she jumped. “Odie! You startled me!”
“Sorry, Mom,” I said, although I thought she was being a touch dramatic. We were in a school. Did she think there wouldn’t be other people around? “We didn’t mean to sneak up on you. We were coming to talk to Headmistress Wake.”
The headmistress glanced at her watch. Growing up with parents on the go, I understood that signal. I’d better get to the point.
“Eva,” I gestured to my friend for my parents’ benefit, “my suitemate, and I noticed that everyone seems solitary. I wondered if it would be possible to set up a mixer after orientation? You know, like a welcome party for the first years, so everyone can get to know each other before classes?”
Mom smiled. She’d always been the party-planner at our house and threw some of the best movie industry shindigs.
“Hmm.” Headmistress Wake’s thin lips flattened. “I’m not sure. Classes start early tomorrow, and most students find them rather more rigorous than they expected.”
My mom turned to her. “But don’t you think this could be a chance to solidify bonds, Pricilla? When people know each other better, they look out for one another more.”
My eyebrows knitted together, sensing a subtext that I didn’t understand.
“I suppose you’re right. Yes, Odette, you may put together a mixer. We will hold orientation in the Agnes Sampson Hall, so you can’t use that space. Why don’t you set up a few tables in the Marie Laveau Room? It should be sizable enough for your class. You may also speak to the kitchens and have them supplyappropriaterefreshments. Please make sure it’s over by ten.”
“Perfect!” I squealed. “We’ll get right on it! Thank you, Headmistress Wake. See you guys at dinner!”
I tugged on Eva’s arm, and we scampered off to plan the party.
Chapter Five
Eva and I sprinted through the corridors. We’d spent the last three hours party-planning, and were cutting it close to make orientation on time.
“This way!” Eva panted, taking a corner I’d darted right past.
I bunched up the hem of my dress—a long, red maxi that seemed appropriate for orientation and the party—and followed her. While I always liked to make an impression, Ihatedbeing late. Tardiness implied the person was sloppy, and I was so not about that. The door up ahead began to close.
“Wait!” Eva yelled. “We’re coming!”
We were there seconds later, chests heaving and perspiration dotting our faces.Who knew Maine was so darn humid in July?
“Thanks,” I said, acknowledging the wizard manning the door before turning to Eva. “How do I look?” I asked, pulling a tissue from my clutch and dabbing my face.
“Perfect, you’ve got that dewy look. Me?”
“Hot as hell.”
Eva beamed, and we high-fived.
“Girls?” The wizard gestured for us to enter.
“Sorry!” I chirped and gave him a sheepish grin. “But you know, first impressions and all that!”
Agnes Sampson Hall was enormous, although it appeared only a third of the way filled. The overall vibe of the hall was dark, with its chocolate-colored wood walls, thick, red curtains at the sides of a stage, and decorative paintings done in brooding tones. Tables of varying sizes dotted the dining hall, and families chatted amongst themselves. In the corner, just by the stage, I could see servers holding trays, waiting for the signal to serve the families of Spellcasters’ students.
I spotted my parents. They were at the front, their table for three positioned beneath an iron chandelier that made Mom’s gold Moroccan print dress shimmer and shine.
“I found my parents. See you after?”
“You know it,” Eva said and headed the opposite direction.
