Page 34 of Tis the Season to be Bullied

Silence filters down between Rube and me for long minutes before I let out a sigh and rub my eyelids. “Sure about this?” I ask quietly.

“Of course,” Reuben says. “She’s…”

“What, Rube?” My next sigh is exasperated. “What is she?”

He taps his thumbs against the side of his knees and then slowly looks up at me. “She’s one of us.”

Chapter 11

Trinity

I make sure I’m awake before the first bell rings. While I was slaving away in the laundry yesterday afternoon, I had a lot of time to think.

I meant what I said to Perry.

This placeisall I have.

So I’ve got to make this work. Fuck knows how, but if I’m going to spend a good three or four years here, I need to make peace with the natives.

Starting today.

I run a hand through my curls as I sit up in bed. It was too cold to sleep in my usual pajamas—cotton boxers and a vest—so I put on a sweater before crawling under the covers.

Jasper shoves away his blanket with a groan and then swings his legs over the side of the bed and yawns. When he sees me staring at him, he freezes.

“What?” he snaps, going to get his clothes from his closet.

“Did I tell you I’m thinking about becoming a teacher?”

Jasper scratches his hip without answering. He yanks out a pair of clothes and tosses them to the bed. I guess he’s not goingto shower this morning. Though, from the smell of sweat rolling off him, he really should.

I’d still love to know what he did to get himself stuck with me as a roommate. But that’ll come in time. Right after I turn him into my BFF.

“Thing is, I was homeschooled,” I go on as I start untangling my curls with my fingers. “I’ve never really had anyone to practice on.”

Jasper’s shoes thump to the floor, and he slips them on without bothering to put on socks first.

“Boo for you,” he mutters, and exits the room in his trunks and vest.

I guess he’s used to the cold.

“Fuck,” I mutter to myself.

Guess he’s not a morning person. Well, at least I planted the seed. I’ll try again at breakfast.

Should I shower before school starts?

Jasper left the door open. Half-dressed boys of all ages stream this way and that across the hall, some with towels slung over their shoulders.

I sniff at my pits and shrug. At least I don’t smell as bad as Jasper.

Father Gabriel leads us in prayer at the chapel. Since I got here early, I had my choice of seats. I didn’t want anyone creeping up on me again, so I’m sitting near the front. This way Gabriel can watch over me.

But as soon as the provost is done addressing the school and reading today’s scripture, he walks off stage. Not even a glance in my direction. It’s like he’s forgotten all about me.

I hesitate for a second, and then hurry after him before I can second guess myself. I hope this isn’t a restricted area, because I need to know what I can do to earn my own room. And a proper school uniform. One that doesn’t come pre-installed with lice.

I push open the door Gabriel disappeared behind and walked right into him.

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