“Why the fuck should they have our protection?” asks Tiffany.
“And if any vampires happen to show up tomorrow, and they see newsletters all over the school spilling their secrets, what do you think they’re going to do?” I ask. “Because I can only think of two options: Alter everyone’s memories, or kill us all and fake some kind of gas explosion.”
“Well, it’s too late to change the newsletter,” says Tiffany.
“Then get rid of it,” I say.
“No. The people have the right to know.”
Salma, Zach, and Trevor don’t get involved, and I have no idea what to do. I wish William were here so he could just compel Tiffany to change her mind. Then I’m disgusted with myself for the thought.
After all, whose side am I on?
The whole school day feels unfocused, like everyone is already in vacation mode. Director Minaro makes her class a free-for-all where we can bring up anything we want about any of the three books we read this term. My friends and I don’t offer a single opinion the entire hour.
“You five must be really nervous about tomorrow,” she says near the end of the hour.
Again, I expect her to ask about William.
“I am ending class a few minutes early,” she says instead. “See you at dinner!”
Trevor sticks to my side when we leave, and he and Zach escort my roommates and me to our room. The two of them even check under our beds for any sign of intruders before letting us come inside. Trevor holds his bag close to him, and I wonder what kind of weapon William gave him.
“You can go now,” says Salma, plopping down on her bed. “We can defend ourselves.”
“You can barely stand upright,” says Trevor. “You just collapsed on your bed as if we’d climbed Everest.”
“Fuck off,” she snaps back, but Tiffany and I lock eyes, and for an instant, our combined concern outweighs her hatred. Then my roommate looks away.
“We’re staying with you,” says Trevor, and Zach leans against the wall, like he’s not going anywhere. “Then we’ll go to dinner together.”
“Are you seriously so deluded that you think any kind of weapon is going to do anything against a vampire?” asks Salma, shaking her head.
“Maybe not,” says Trevor, slumping down in her desk chair, “but at least the distraction will give your weak-ass legs a chance to run.”
Salma sits up, like she’s ready to fight him, but I also see how she registers that he’s risking his life to protect us.
“Trevor, you don’t have to do this,” she says, all the fight gone from her voice. “Why would you listen to William anyway? You hate the guy.”
“I’m not doing this forhim. I’m doing this because it’s the right thing to do.”
He doesn’t mention the Legion or his vampire-hunting heritage. He’s clearly very serious about that confidentiality contract. Yet Salma already knows because I’ve told her, and I wait to see if she’s going to bring it up.
“Well, if we can’t get rid of you,” says Salma with an eye roll, “let’s at least do a final rundown for tomorrow.”
BY DINNERTIME,none of us seems to have much left to say to one another, so we have a nearly silent meal.
Then Trevor and Zach escort us up the stairs to our rooms, earning strange stares from our tower-mates. They go in first again, and they search everywhere before declaring the space safe.
I walk in behind Salma and Tiffany, when I feel someone take my hand. I look up at Trevor, and when he frees my fingers, I feel something wedged between them.
A note.
I wait until Salma and Tiffany aren’t looking to read it. The paper is tiny, and it only says one word:
Midnight.
I STAYup late reading, wearing a sweater and stretchy pants under the covers, so I won’t make noise getting dressed.
