Page 6 of Rockwell Academy: The Twist

Something about the tremor in her voice and the mist in her eyes tugs at my heartstrings and my eyes fill with tears at the loving way her husband reaches for her hand as they share a wistful smile. I remember Frankie telling me they met here—at Rockwell, where his mom was abducted and made to marry a psychopath. I am intrigued by them and their story, and it’s interesting to meet Frankie’s family.

Summer nods and reaches for her mom and as they hug, I note the emotion in her father’s eyes.

Imogen is silent as we intrude on a scene we should back away from. It’s so intense, emotional and as if we are unwelcome guests. It’s obvious they are a close family and I understand a lot about that and as Summer shows them to the door, she turns and blinks away her tears as she closes it behind them.

“Fuck!” She runs her fingers through her long black hair and heaves a deep breath.

“Why did that destroy me?”

She shakes her head and Imogen says gently, “Because it’s a lot. Goodbyes are never fun if the people leaving are everything to you.”

“You’ve got that right.”

She forces a huge smile onto her face.

“So, Rockwell Academy. I must say, I never expected the day to actually come.”

She glances around the room.

“Have you chosen your bed?”

“No.” Imogen shrugs. “I wanted to give you first choice.

“That’s so sweet of you. I appreciate it, but you were here first. You get to choose.”

“Then we’ll draw lots.” Imogen smiles as she pulls a coin from her pocket and hands it to me.

“We each choose a hand and the one with the coin in it gets the window.”

“Great idea.”

I place my hands behind my back and hide the coin and Imogen nods to Summer. “You go first.”

“That one.”

Summer points to my right hand and I open it, revealing the coin inside.

“Are you sure?”

I love how concerned she is, and Imogen nods. “Couldn’t be happier.”

I decide to leave them to get acquainted and nod toward the door. “I should be going. I haven’t unpacked yet and well–”

“Well, Frankie?”

Imogen teases and the blood must drain from my face because Summer immediately asks, “As in Majerio?”

“Do you know him?” Imogen asks innocently and Summer pulls a face.

“Unfortunately, yes. He’s my brother.”

Imogen gasps and throws me an apologetic smile as Summer studies me more closely.

“Are you?–”

“Friends.” I add quickly. “We live in the same house and, well, we kind of hooked up last semester.”

“Hooked up?” Summer laughs out loud. “Don’t tell me you’re the poor girl who was chained to my brother as a result of his stupid game.”

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