Page 23 of Knight Moves

“Lights out at ten,” she said shortly and then turned her back on us.

I had no idea what was her problem with us. Her standoffishness was bordering on rudeness.

“We’ve still got an hour,” I said. “But after this day, I won’t have a problem falling asleep.”

“Me neither,” Frankie agreed.

Frankie took her shower next. I followed and then blow-dried my hair. When I got out of the bathroom, Kira was already lying in bed, her back to the room and us. Frankie was sitting on top of the covers, reading. She was dressed in yellow flannel pj’s with green blobs on them. Her wet hair was parted in the middle and rolled up in two socks on either side of her head.

I couldn’t stop myself from asking. “What’s that on your pj’s?”

“Frogs.” She set aside her book and tugged on her sleeve so I could see better. “Did you know frogs are considered good luck in China? They’re associated with rain. Rain means good crops will sprout. Good crops mean lots of food for the population. Lots of food means happy people. I just figured I could use a little extra luck to start off this new adventure.”

“Okay. And why are there socks in your hair?”

She patted the socks. “I’m going for the crinkly-hair look tomorrow.” She glanced over at Kira, who was lying as still as a stone. There was no way she was asleep with the light still blazing and the two of us talking, but she seemed intent on ignoring us. Frankie and I exchanged a puzzled glance.

“Hey, Kira,” Frankie said. “We didn’t get a chance to talk to you much earlier. What’s your story? How did you end up here? We’re looking forward to being roommates with you.”

She was still for a long moment and then she finally rolled over, propping her head up with one hand. “Look, I know you want to be friends, but I intend to stay focused on what has to be done here. So, no offense if I don’t want to join your posse. Just leave me alone and we’ll be good. Okay?”

“Hey,” I said. “No need to be rude.”

“We’re not a posse,” Frankie said earnestly. “We’re all inclusive. We can help each other, you know.”

“I don’t need your help. Perhaps I wasn’t clear. Leave. Me. Alone.” She rolled over again, pulling the covers over her head.

I clenched my teeth, but Frankie didn’t seem upset in the slightest.

“Angel, can you turn off the lights, please?” Frankie said. “Kira is right. We’d better get to bed. We have a big day tomorrow.”

I lifted my hands in a can-you-believe-that gesture. Frankie pursed her lips and looked disappointed in me. Huffing, I dropped my hands and stalked across the room, then banged my fist against the switch as I turned it off. I didn’t know who Kira thought she was, but she was acting like a princess, and my tolerance for that was exactly zero.

Still fuming, I climbed up to my bunk and settled in. I thought I’d be up for hours mulling over everything that had happened over the course of the day, but my last thought was I needed to up my game so I could handle whatever they intended to throw at us in the coming days.

Chapter Thirteen

ANGEL SINCLAIR

A soft noise woke me. For a moment, I was completely disoriented. The bed felt wrong, the blanket smelled different, and the room was cooler than I was used to. It took me a couple of seconds to realize I was in the UTOP dorm. I quietly rolled over to my side and saw a dark figure disappear into the bathroom.

My body went on high alert, and I was instantly awake. I didn’t know if it was another test, but just in case, I crept down the bunk and grabbed a flashlight from my desk. I tiptoed toward the bathroom and waited, my back pressed against the wall next to the door.

The figure walked out of the bathroom, careful to switch off the light before opening the door.

I flicked on my flashlight, hoping to blind whoever it was. A girl about my age with dark hair and wearing pajamas gasped and jumped backward.

“Whoa. Who are you?” she whispered, squinting at me through the light.

I lowered the flashlight so it wasn’t in her eyes, but I could still see her. Just in case.

“Are you our roommate?” I whispered back.

“I am.”

I let out a breath, keeping my voice at a whisper. “Oh, sorry. I thought this was another test—like you were coming to slit our throats while we slept or something like that. I guess I’m on edge. I’m also a very light sleeper, unlike the two others here.”

“My name is Hala. I’m sorry I came so late. My flight from Cairo was delayed, and then I had to wait to be picked up from the airport. When you said test…I take it to mean you were attacked upon arrival at the campus, as well?”

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