Page 14 of Cleo

I sank down to sit against the wall as the realization overwhelmed me. Angie might have helped me run, but how could I dream of escaping from someone all-powerful? All-knowing? Every time I stepped out of line, he knew, and I could never figure out how. Sure, he had guards everywhere, but some of what he found out they could not have possibly seen.

Maybe I should not try to settle down here or anywhere. If I only kept on the move, I might be able to stay a step or two ahead of him and…and…what? Live all alone? I’d been here such a short time and already connected with my sisters and got a tablet and had a date set up to have dinner with the guys…

Oh. My. Gods. It wasn’t a date, was it? With all three of them?

Other students began to arrive, and I pushed myself up to stand but waited while they all entered the classroom, not wanting to end up sitting in anyone else’s seat and upset the system. I noticed in the other classes that everyone seemed to gravitate right to a spot and sit down. I’d learned to take my time and saunter in then settle in whatever was open. At first, I’d assumed the back would always be the spot, but in some of my classes, I’d found the empties in the front row. And in one, the instructor had a seating chart and told me where to go.

All the years I spent planning to get away, and then once I got off the mountain, I somehow thought that part of my life was over. As if Father who I knew traveled all over the world would not find me. Had I endangered the people who had been kind to me? If he didn’t have anything to do with my sisters, did he even know they existed?

“Hey, you’re that new girl, right?” A slender girl with long curls in a silvery green came up beside where I lurked just inside the doorway. “Are you going to sit down?”

“Yes, sorry.”

“For what?” She flashed me an impish grin. “Want to sit with me? I can fill you in on all the weirdos who pretend to love math.”

“I’m not that great at math,” I confided. “I was kind of hoping I wouldn’t have to take it, but they said everyone does.”

“Truth. I’m Abigail.”

“Cleo. And I’d love to sit with you and hear about the weirdos.”

Maybe my father would show up tomorrow and my dream would end. I would just have to get the most out of this experience while it lasted.

Chapter Fourteen

Minx caught up with me on my way to the elevator to get ready for dinner with Jude, Miles, and Pax. “Cleo, wait. I’ll ride up with you. What’s the hurry? Dinner isn’t for an hour, and we hoped you would eat with us.”

“I won’t be here to eat tonight. I’m going out.”

“You are?”

“I need to go get changed.” I wasn’t sure what to do to look special or at least as if I was happy to be asked to dinner. My outfits were not only limited, they all needed to go into the laundry to be wearable. At least I could shower and brush my hair. And my teeth. “But tomorrow if the offer is still open.” I really wanted to spend more time with my sisters and get to know them.

“I’ll come and keep you company. What are you gonna wear?” She clapped a hand over her mouth. “What am I thinking?” Grabbing her phone out of her crossbody bag, she tapped on the screen. “We have to get you a phone so you can be part of the group chat.” Stowing the device, she pressed the elevator button.

“When I can afford it, I’d love to.” How cool would it be to join them in the group chat? I had to find a way to earn some money for things that weren’t included in the very generous scholarship package. And just to have a little in my pocket for nonessentials I might like.

We rode up to my floor, and to my surprise, Minx got off with me. It wasn’t her floor, but it did seem like everyone walked me everywhere here. But no sooner did we get inside my room than Minx’s phone buzzed and she pulled it out. “Oh good, they’ll be here in a minute.”

“The girls?”

“Yeah, oh shoot, I didn’t tell you what we said. We really need to get you a phone.” She turned her screen to face me and my eyes filled with tears.

“You three are the best sisters ever.” Not that I had anything to compare them to, but I couldn’t imagine any better. “You really don’t have to do all of this.”

“It’s our pleasure.” She opened the door again and peeked out. “Elevator’s here.”

Fifteen seconds later, the other two burst into the room, arms laden with clothing. Ava had a bag over her shoulder filled with makeup and hair care products. “Why aren’t you in the shower, Cleo? We have to get started if you’re going to be ready for your dates on time.”

I started for the bathroom then stopped. “How do you know what time I need to be ready and who I’m going out to eat with?” Was someone gossiping?

Kiki giggled. “We don’t know the exact time, but with curfew during the week, we know it’s not going to be too late.”

“Okay, I’ll give you that…”

“And we would have to be dense not to have noticed the way a certain trio of studly shifters are paying attention to you.” Ave fluffed her hair. “We’re proud of you. It must run in the family.”

“I’m not even sure this is a date,” I protested. “Or if I want it to be.”

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