“I’m fucking with you,” Simon says. “You were total dead weight.”
“But that stuff you just said—”
“Wild guess.” Simon shrugs. “Whoever gave you that drink is an asshole.”
On that they can agree.
Dez decides Moses would like Simon. He’d probably even like Yael. And both of Dez’s roommates would already love him.
If Mo were here, he’d tell Dez to give her new roommates a chance, that relationships are as important as the work.
Dez nods at Simon’s croissant. “Is there breakfast somewhere?”
“Therewasbreakfast,” Simon says, tossing the last bite in his mouth. “Now it’s over. And the chef was not happy because you were supposed to work the breakfast shift.”
“I was supposed to what?” Dez says.
“First-years have to earn their privileges here,” Yael says. She drops onto the couch and waves her scarf in the air like she’s conducting a silent symphony. “Be glad you weren’t put on maintenance crew.”
“I didn’t know,” Dez says, rubbing her pounding temples. “So, what, am I fired now?”
“Maybe.” Simon shrugs again. “I’d get there early tomorrow and kiss the chef ’s ass.”
“What time was I supposed to be there?”
“Six.”
“What time is it now?” Dez glances out the window, confused.
“Almost nine,” Simon says.
“But the sky’s still dark.”
“Yeah.” Simon looks at Yael. “It’s always night here.”
“No, really—” Dez says.
“No, really,” Yael says. “Last-years are doing a lot of night shoots this term, so we designed special filters to give the school the look of permanent darkness.”
“Tell her about the customizable moon,” Simon adds.
“The sunneverrises here?” Dez asks.
“It rises,” Yael says. “We just don’t see it.”
“That seems like something you should tell prospective students,” Dez says.
“It was all in the literature that came with your acceptance letter. Along with your work study assignment,” Simon says. “You didn’t read any of it?”
“Not even the part about the dress code?” Yael says icily. “It clearly statesno hideous crap.”
Another thing Dez can thank Rafe for. He gave her a single cryptic piece of paper, made her sign on the dotted line, and return it.
“Is there a student store or something?” she says. “I do need new clothes. And a phone charger.”
“Uh, maybe check your closet?” Simon says. “As for the phone … useless here, I’m afraid.”
“No service,” Yael confirms. “Simon and I dropped his out the tower window and watched it shatter yesterday.”
