I catch the soft murmur of conversation behind me: something... tense.
I glance over my shoulder, surprised when I find Lennon Rose five girls back in conversation with Valentine. For her part, Valentine looks impeccable in a silver, floor-length gown, her hair pulled into a high bun. But her expression isn’t soft and obedient. Her eyes are slits, fierce. I can’t hear what she’s whispering, her lips moving urgently like she’s reciting words rather than conversing. But whatever she’s saying, it’s affecting Lennon Rose, who wraps her arms around the waist of her blue dress, her chest heaving in startled breaths.
I move away from Sydney, about to intervene, when there is a loud clap from the front of the line. I turn and see Mr. Petrov approach. Leandra is dutifully by his side, her gaze gliding over each of us. I quickly get back in line to wait for inspection.
Mr. Petrov and Leandra slowly make their way past each of us, the Head of School raking his eyes over our figures, ensuring our dresses fit perfectly. Leandra leans in to Annalise and smudges some of the blush off her cheeks, telling her it looks cheap.
They move on to Sydney, and Mr. Petrov nods appreciatively, telling her the color is beautiful against her skin. She flashes a wide smile in return. Leandra, on the other hand, grips Sydney’s hips like she’s measuring them.
“Schedule Running Course for the morning,” Leandra says coldly. “You’re filling out this dress. I suspect you’re up a pound. That’s not acceptable, Sydney. You represent this academy.”
Sydney’s smile falters, and she lowers her head, apologizing for her appearance. My stomach sinks; I think she looks amazing.
I have to fight to hold my smile when the Head of School and his wife reach me.
Leandra inspects me first, but I’m surprised when she doesn’t say anything at all. Instead, she studies my eyes. It feels almost invasive, the way she holds my stare. Like she’s saying something I can’t hear.
Mr. Petrov reaches out to run his finger along the neckline of my dress, grazing the skin of my chest as he traces the low cut. It sends a chill down my back.
“This is very flattering on you, Philomena,” he says, slow to remove his hand. “I dare say you could go lower.”
“If you think so, sir,” I say politely, even though I already feel too exposed. We dress modestly with the exception of these open houses. Mr. Petrov says it’s because investors want to get a good look at us so they know how flawless we are. The inconsistency in our wardrobe leaves me uncertain—modesty or exposed skin? There seems to be a different rule based on Mr. Petrov’s... preference.
The Head of School moves toward the next girl, but Leandra hangs back an extra second, still watching my reaction. Waiting.
I press my lips together, as if thanking her, but there’s a flicker of disappointment in her expression before she walks past me to join her husband. I’m left a bit confused, and when I go to tell Sydney about it, I see she’s still feeling badly about her evaluation. I decide not to burden her any more.
“Ah...,” Mr. Petrov calls out lovingly. We all turn and find him taking Valentine by the hand, leading her out of line to show her off. He spins her around, admiring her. “Now, this,” he says, “is perfection.” Valentine dips in a bow, the front of her dress sloping down to expose her cleavage. Mr. Petrov doesn’t take his eyes off her, still holding her hand.
Leandra watches on, a pleasant expression on her face. When Valentine returns to her place in line and Mr. Petrov walks to Lennon Rose, Leandra and Valentine exchange a private look. It’s only a moment, a split second, and then Valentine turns forward again and smiles. When she notices me, she lifts one eyebrow. Rather than indulge whatever weirdness she’s about to say, I look past her toward Lennon Rose.
My heart skips and I quickly reach out to grab Sydney’s arm. She turns to look before taking an anxious step forward.
“Now what is this about?” Mr. Petrov says in a fatherly tone as he guides Lennon Rose from the line. He yanks a handkerchief out of his suit pocket and hands it to her. Leandra sighs, seemingly annoyed.
Lennon Rose is crying. Her makeup is running down her cheeks in black and blue rivers. She uses Mr. Petrov’s tissue to dot the area, but she’s clearly distraught.
I flick an accusatory look at Valentine, but she doesn’t meet my eyes this time. She’s still smiling, though. Not even acknowledging Lennon Rose’s breakdown.
“Leandra, darling,” Mr. Petrov says. “Can you please take our little rose upstairs and fix her up?”
“Of course,” Leandra says, taking her by the arm. Although it looks gentle, Lennon Rose’s winces at the touch. We all watch in stunned silence as Lennon Rose is led back to the rooms.
It has to be because of Valentine. I can’t imagine that she would purposely upset Lennon Rose—she knows how sensitive she is—but clearly, she saidsomethingwrong.
“Marcella,” Mr. Petrov says, nodding his head to her. “A vision as always. I know your parents will be proud.” She thanks him.
The Head of School turns to Brynn, taking his time examining her. And then, almost impulsively, he steps closer and leans in to kiss her cheek. Brynn jumps, but as Mr. Petrov pulls back, she smiles at him.
“You’ll be a beautiful bride one day soon,” he tells her. “And your husband will be a very lucky man, indeed.”
Mr. Petrov turns to inspect the next girl, but Brynn continues to stare straight ahead, smile held. Eyes shiny. It isn’t until Marcella reaches back to take her hand that Brynn lets out a held breath. I’m reminded of Lennon Rose’s question in my room. And the answer: Mr. Petrov knows what’s best for us. I ignore my feelings on the matter, and I turn around, opting not to watch any more of the inspections.
•••
The first thing I notice is the bright red lipstick stain on the wineglass. The liquid has been abandoned at one of the tables near the sofa shortly after dinner, and I make my way over to sit on the velvet cushion closest to it. As the music from the piano drifts over the room, I search for the other girls and find nearly all of them occupied.
Sydney is smiling, beaming under her parents’ attention. I’ve always liked her family. They dress smartly, but not lavishly—no furs or overemphatic jewelry. Sydney told me once that her parents saved their entire adult lives to be able to afford sending her here. She does everything she can to make them proud.
