Page 112 of Nobody in Particular

“Yes,” I say. “TheMidday Spectatoris running a feature on me. It’s due to go online this afternoon, and in the physical paper tomorrow. The thing is, they’re not sure which angle to take.” I turn the screen around to show the headmaster and my dumbfounded mom. “There’s the feel-good story about how I grew up closeted in Boulder, and blossomed at boarding school. Gained the confidence to be myself, found a supportive network of friends, learned the Catholic values of acceptance and community, yadda yadda yadda. But they’re kind of leaning toward a more headline-grabbing take. How I was forcibly outed by a group of drunk teenage boys, and instead of the school protecting me against an act of violence, I was expelled due to suspected homophobia in the school board itself. The last part wasn’t my words,” I say. “They just sort of added that in. Anything to make sure the story gets talked about, am I right?”

Mom is looking between the headmaster and me with eyes so wide her brows disappear beneath her bangs. The headmaster takes a long time to reply. So long, in fact, that I eventually catch on that he’s waiting for me to go on.

“I know the alumni association is really concerned about the terrible reputation I gave the school last week,” I say with mock empathy, because I’m apparently now the sort of person who can boldly give adults attitude without hesitating. Maybe I’ve officially run out of craps to give. “Hopefully, we can go back to theSpectatorand tellthem they’re gonna have to pull the expulsion story because it’s not true. Otherwise, the alumni association may havelotsof concerns by tomorrow night, and I’m sure they wouldn’t want that.”

It’s extremely hard to read the headmaster’s face. He folds his hands together and rests his chin on them pensively. Then, I swear, he almost smiles. “I agree,” he says finally. “I think the association would find that scenario quite objectionable.”

FORTY-EIGHTROSE

Inside Harriet’s room, we face each other. Me, angry enough to launch myself at her again. Her, apprehensive and bewildered. “Rose,” she says, holding up her hands. “I never contacted the palace. I swear. Not once.”

“How did you figure it out, then?” I ask, a little hysterical. “When? Tell me, and fast, so I know you’re not lying.”

“It was late last year. I knew you were spending a lot of time together, and I was jealous, and I wondered, I guess. But then one night I saw you and Danni go inside together, and when she came back down later, she had a hickey. And she didnothave one when I saw you together an hour before that. But I didn’t tell the palace, Rose.”

That night was just before we broke up. “So, you’re telling me that right around the time you figured it out, within days, someone else realized we were dating and reported us to the palace?”

“Yeah, I think that’s exactly what happened, from what you’re telling me, because—”

I laugh in her face. “Oh, well, in that case I’ll leave you alone then, shall I? So sorry for the misunderstanding!”

“Rose,” Harriet says over me. “I told Alfie.”

“I—” I stumble over this, confused. “You what?”

She averts her eyes to the wall behind me, angry and blushing.“You were going around kissing him in public, remember? I thought maybe if I told him, he’d confront you and you’d end things with Danni before they went any further, and maybe I’d have a chance with her. I’m a terrible, selfish person, and I’m sorry I did it. But I’m not a liar.”

I flounder, unable to grasp what she’s just told me. Or, rather, unwilling. “Did you tell anyone else?”

“No. Just Alfie. I promise.”

I back away, frowning. Somehow, I believe her. And that terrifies me.

“He told the palace about you two?” Harriet asks. “Is that why Danni’s getting expelled?”

I study her. She’s certainly telling the truth. Any doubts I had are erased by the earnest concern on her face.

Reeling, I stagger down the hall and into the courtyard, where I sit by the fountain to collect my thoughts. In the distance I can make out a crowd outside the gates. I squint. It’s a crowd of reporters. I suppose the story about Danni’s expulsion has been leaked. Perhaps William even leaked it himself in an attempt to place pressure on the school. He truly is happy to go above and beyond for me, now that I’ve promised to give him what he wants.

I take out my phone to check my messages.

There are a couple from Danni, which I remind myself to read in a few minutes.

William, informing me he’s on his way.

And Alfie, informing me the same.

FORTY-NINEROSE

I text Alfie to meet me in the courtyard.

He’s wearing his school uniform like a model student. His shirt is a bright white, his blazer crisply ironed. His hair is immaculately styled, clean and smooth and immobile. It’s as though he’s auditioning for the role of my husband. That’s a silly thought, though. His audition is complete. And it was conducted with far more secrecy and skill than I could ever have anticipated.

He approaches me at the fountain. A prompt response to my text. He must have already been on the grounds.

“Mum’s in there right now,” he says, as we sit side by side on the fountain’s edge. “She seemed very confident we’ll be able to straighten everything out. I think Danni’s going to be fine.”

I slump backward, so far that the spray from the fountain tickles my forehead. “That’s such a relief,” I say. “I’m in your debt, Alfie. I really am.”

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