“She speaks not English,” Sveta says sharply, as if this is somehow a grievous sin. “Apology.”
“That’s fine,” I say quickly.
“Water closet is down the hall,” Dasha says, nodding to indicate.
“Okay,” I say. “Um, excuse me.” I extract myself from Dasha’s hold and go for my suitcase, hoping that will trigger some kind of “we’ll just let you get settled,” but no such luck.
Sveta busies herself straightening the blankets, while Katyenka peers over my shoulder as if I might have something fascinating in my suitcase, and Dasha plops right on the bed.
"You have boyfriend, Gwenna?”
"Why you come with them? You fence also?"
"Which one you like best? The tall one? The dark one?"
“You live where? New York?”
I tense my shoulders, staring into my small array of folded clothes, smashed flat from miles and miles of travel. It feels like starting at Renfrew all over again—the questions, the observation, the absolute lack of privacy.
And the other girls who are desperately lonely.
I feel a pang in my chest. I am so, so exhausted, and if I can’t be with any of the boys, I just want to be left alone.
“I’m sorry.” I turn to Dasha and Sveta, who perk up with eyes wide. “I’m just…really tired. Jet lag.”
“Oh!” Dasha springs to her feet, nodding energetically. “Yes, yes, you must rest.” She switches to Russian, ordering out something to the other two, who file out a little reluctantly.
“Thank you,” I say after them. “Um, good night.”
“Yes, good night!Sladkikh snov!”
The door shuts, but I can hear them still: giggling, whispering. Like they’re standing right in the hallway.
But I’m alone. Technically.
I sink onto the bed, still in my coat.
Tired.Cold—I can see my breath in the orange of the overhead light.
Alone.
And I wish I weren’t.
I close my eyes. They can’t be far. Another floor, another hall—the place isn’t that big.
Three days, I remind myself.We only have to be here for three days.
They only have to make it through three days.
Slowly, I kick off my boots, and then, still in my coat, crawl under the blankets.
Be careful, Gwenna.
THIRTY-EIGHT
GWENNA
When I wake up,I don't know where I am at first. First thing I see is dim light through a frosted window. Is it dawn? Noon? I can't tell. I stir in bed and hear voices from somewhere, chanting.
