William has no intention of hanging around here for eight weeks. Not when he needs to be outthere,searching for his parents and hunting down others like him.
On the other hand, he does have a lot to catch up on before he ventures out, and the LUB could still be hiding more secrets. Besides, what are eight weeks to an immortal?
“Help me find answers,” he says at last, “and you can earn your time.”
CHAPTER 18lorena
Saturday morning, I wake up to my first weekend at Huntington.
I can’t believe we haven’t even been here a full week yet, when these past few days have changed everything I thought I knew about the world. Andmyself.
I stretch my spine and rub my eyes, then I see Tiffany sitting up in bed, pink bonnet still on, readingJane Eyre. She locks eyes with me.
“Salma’s still sleeping,” she says in a low voice. “Is something wrong with her?”
“Are you seriously talking shit after she’s been nothing but nice to you?”
Tiffany sets the paperback down. “I’m nottalking shit,I’m being serious. She couldn’t move a chair the other day, and yesterday she used her period as an excuse to sit out the kickball game in PE.”
“So?”
“She doesn’t have her period right now!” Tiffany whisper-shouts, like that fact should be obvious.
“She and I are on the same cycle,” I inform her, “and mine just ended.”
“Well, the box of tampons she set on your dresser days ago is still unopened,” says Tiffany, rolling her eyes so hard, they’re completely white. “But you’ve known her for longer, so I’m sure you would be aware if somethingwas wrong. It’s not like you’re so wrapped up in your crush that you don’t realize your best friend is going through something.”
I don’t bother responding.
When I offered Salma a pad the other day, she told me she had her own. But that doesn’t necessarily mean she got her period.
What if Tiffany’s right?
What if Salma is—
I can’t even finish the thought. There’s no way. I mean, if there was even a possibility, she would’ve told me… right?
Fuck.
I hate that Tiffany has a point. I’ve been a shit friend to Salma since we got here. I’ve been leaving her behind, lying to her, not paying close enough attention—
“I guess Mommy didn’t get around to teaching friendship skills.”
My vision takes on a red tinge, and I forget to keep my voice low as I unclench my jaw. “That’s funny, I don’t remember you growing up in my house—”
“Are we late?”
At the sound of Salma’s voice, I turn toward the top bunk. She’s sitting up and looking disoriented. My voice must’ve startled her awake. “Did I miss breakfast?”
“No, but we should hurry,” I say, and as she gets down from the bed, I try not to notice how she clings to the frame like she might fall.
I need to talk to her as soon as possible—andprivately.
When we get to the dining hall, there’s a printed list posted outside the entrance. They’re all the approved clubs, and each one has a different meeting time today—includinghistory club,which has been scribbled in pen at the top, like a last-minute addition. As a result, we have the earliest time slot.
Trevor’s triumphant smirk tells me he did this. “Got here early and told Minaro about history club,” he says as he and Zach join us by the list.
I look away and spot William approaching from a distance, moving markedly slowly for an immortal.
