“You’re earlier than I expected,” she says.
I lean down so she can kiss my cheek before she settles into her chair by the fire. “I was tired.” My throat constricts with the lie until I’m forced to swallow.
Mother raises an eyebrow. She noticed, as always.
“You don’t have to tell me.”
Unfortunately, my throat won’t feel normal until I do. “I went out with Reid and some girls from the Academy. One of them had too much to drink, so I walked her back.”
Her lips press together. “How sweet of you.” Then she widens her pale green eyes, hinting I should continue.
“I’m not talking about her with you.”
Plopping down on my bed, I start pulling my shoes off. I’ve long outgrown the stiff mattress—my feet hang off the edge when I sleep—but we don’t have the space or money for anything bigger.
“You like her that much?”
“Stop it.”
“Alright, alright.” She takes a sip of her tea. “How did your placements go?”
“Fine.” I grimace as my throat twists again.
“You’re a terrible liar.”
Biting back a curse, I chuck my shoe into the corner. “I didn’t pass a single test, alright? Nothing happened. Even the proctor was stunned.” I close my eyes and lean back against the poorly plastered wall. “She had a big speech about how it’s normal for people to fail most of the tests, but I guess they still get something to happen. Not me.”
Mother exhales. “I’m not sure why you expected it to go well, but it’s only your first day. You’ll learn more with time.”
As supportive as always.“Well, right now it feels like I shouldn’t even bother.” Except if I hadn’t, I’d never have met Ellie. Someone who finally sees past my incompetence, who actually thinks I’m good at something.
Mother shuffles over and sits beside me, mussing with my hair. “Life won’t always be like this. Focus on the good things that happened today, yes? Like that girl you’re keeping from me.”
I swat her away as I hold back the smile creeping in. There’s something special about Ellie, and I won’t let my mother threaten that with her usual meddling.
She kisses my forehead, then grunts as she stands back up. “I’m heading to bed. Mind the fire? I doubt you want your poor mother to freeze.”
“Sure,” I say, just wanting her gone so I can get back to thinking about Ellie.
Her door clicks shut as I sink into the lumpy mattress, a smile lighting my face as I imagine finding Ellie’s cinnamon eyes tomorrow. For once, the future actually looks promising.
Chapter 5
Ellie
My heart’s still pounding as I shut the door to our drab sitting room and lean against it, closing my eyes.
Deep breaths.
All the measured breathing in the world couldn’t rein in the smile taking over my face. That actually happened; the handsome boy I just met wants to kiss me.
Me. Not someone alluring, like Alexis, butme. Even with all my social missteps.
How will I ever fall asleep?
Forcing out another exhale, I open my eyes. The door to the windowless bedroom is shut tight, while all the others sit slightly ajar. A pile of uniforms lies strewn across our settee.
Oh, right—Sophie.I’d completely forgotten about her.
