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Sophia rolls her eyes. "Put that away before someone catches you."
"You need to stop with the innocent act, Sofe," Ashton mocks.
Sophia inhales deeply and straightens her spine, struggling to remain composed. "Anyway, this building is the Great Hall. It's where we dine, gather for assemblies and any big events." Which explains the tables outside. "Hungry?"
"Starving," Ashton answers.
My phone starts beeping, like a microwave going off in my pocket. I pull it out to find the message. Incoming call from Dr. Kendall. I look to the girls with an awkward smile.
"Go ahead," Sophia encourages.
When I answer, the Queen Warden beams back at me on the screen. "Hi, Lana. Just checking to make sur
e you're not lost in the Court."
Sophia pokes her head over my shoulder. "Hi, Dr. Kendall." She waves. "She's still with me."
"Oh, wonderful. I was nervous that Lana might have wandered off," she says, forcing a laugh. I try not to cringe. "You girls enjoy your dinner now."
"Bye, Dr. Kendall," Sophia says sweetly before the screen goes blank.
"You have Dr. Ditz checking in with you?" Aston asks incredulously. "What the hell did you do to deserve that kind of torture? Not even I've had her checkin on me the entire time I've been here. It's beneath her. You must be really special." Ashton laughs like she's in on a private joke, that apparently only she understands. What is in that vape?
"It's probably because it's summer, and not everyone's here," Sophia offers, trying to make me feel better. "I'm sure it has nothing to do with you."
I remain quiet, suspecting it does. And Ashton's mischievous smile lets me know that she does too.
Although the sorceress warned Thaylina to be wary of anyone who was too kind, too generous and especially, too charming, Thaylina had a trusting soul. She believed that in all hearts, there was good, even if just a small part. And that sliver was enough to provide hope that every person was capable of kindness.
As we pass through each doorway, the device in my pocket vibrates. It's already getting annoying, and it hasn't even been a day.
"Our dorm's monitor is Ms. Seyer," Sophia tells me as we walk through the trellis of blood red roses that act as the entryway to our dorm. The space behind the dorm resembles a stereotypical backyard with hammocks and Adirondack chairs scattered around. "She's away this weekend and will be back on Sunday. She's--"
"The freakiest woman alive," Ashton says abruptly. I laugh at the shock of honesty. Ashton's spastic comments continue to catch me off guard. It's like she needs to share her thoughts, because if she doesn't, no one else will see the world the way she does. "Her room is across from the main entrance, and she's always lurking in the halls late at night. Be careful, she can make your life a nightmare. Or give you them."
If the worse thing I have to worry about is a nosy old woman, then I was living a nightmare every day I set foot on my front steps at home. This place will torment me for entirely different reasons.
Sophia continues the tour as we enter the dorm's grand foyer, with Ashton's added "translations." She takes me into the Quiet Room across from the foyer where we can study. It's also, Sophia says, the only room boys are allowed in. Ashton rolls her eyes and shakes her head behind her back. There's a dining hall on the other side of the foyer where only breakfast is served during the school year, and maybe on special occasions, like "ice cream socials." Her words. Ashton's translation, "Where you can find the best munchies when you're craving in the middle of the night."
With every lavishly decorated room, Sophia lists rules. And every time she does, a heavy weight grows in my stomach. This world that I'm being forced to participate in is overrun with rules. Despite the gourmet meals and beautiful grounds, it's confining. Restrictive. Barred with expectations I have no desire to meet.
Every message I've received today, whether from the judge, or Niall, or the Warden, has demanded something more of me. Something I'm not. Letting me know that who I am is not good enough.
When we reach the common room on the second floor, I'm only half-listening to Sophia gush about how much fun they have on movie nights--but making sure to add what time everyone is expected to be in their rooms.
"I think I'm going to go to my room," I say, heading toward the stairs. "But thanks for showing me around."
"Oh. Okay." Sophia sounds surprised, and even a little disappointed. "You're on the fifth floor. I can show you--"
"That's alright," I insist, desperately needing to be alone right now. "What room number?"
"Eleven."
I turn to say goodbye to Ashton, but she's nowhere to be seen. I can't recall when she disappeared.
"Thanks. Maybe I'll see you tomorrow." I should smile, but I can't fake it. "Is there an elevator?"
"Not for us. It's freight only, unfortunately." She watches as I start up the red carpet with gold scrolling that lines the massive stone stairs. "It was nice to meet you, Lana."
