Page 13 of First Echo

The resort was exactly what I'd expected—a sprawling timber and stone structure nestled at the base of the mountain, surrounded by pristine snow and towering pine trees. It looked like something out of a winter postcard, complete with icicles hanging from the eaves and smoke curling from the chimney. Not as luxurious as the private chalets my family usually stayed in, but decent enough, I suppose.

As we trudged through the snow toward the entrance, luggage and equipment in tow, I could see Julian and Sam up ahead, already laughing about something, their breath forming small clouds in the cold air. Victoria was walking with Sophie and Audrey, all three huddled together for warmth—or more likely, to share some juicy gossip. I found myself at the back of thegroup, a few paces behind Brooke, who moved with surprising confidence for someone so small, her snowboard tucked under one arm.

The lobby was warm and inviting, with a massive stone fireplace dominating one wall and comfortable leather couches scattered throughout. The ceilings were high, supported by exposed wooden beams, and antler chandeliers hung at intervals, casting a golden glow over everything. It smelled like pine and cinnamon and something else I couldn't quite identify, something distinctly "mountain."

Mr. Sinclair and the other chaperones gathered us all in the center of the lobby, standing on an ornate rug that depicted various wildlife scenes. We formed a loose circle around them, dropping our bags at our feet, everyone eager to get settled in and hit the slopes.

"Alright, everyone," Mr. Sinclair announced, his voice echoing slightly in the large space. "We've got twenty-four students and twelve rooms. You'll be sharing, two to a room."

A chorus of groans erupted from various corners of the group. Typical. Some people just can't handle not having their own space for a few days.

"I know, I know," Mr. Sinclair continued, holding up his hands to silence the complaints. "But that's how it is. Now, before we hand out keys, I need you all to pair up. Choose your roommate, and then come up to get your key."

Julian immediately threw his arm around Sam's shoulders. "Dibs on this guy," he said with a grin, and Sam laughed, giving him a playful shove.

I felt a tiny pang in my chest, watching them. I'd automatically assumed Sam would room with me, even though I knew that wasn't realistic. Boys and girls couldn't share rooms on school trips—that was rule number one. Still, seeing him soeasily pair off with my brother made me feel... what? Jealous? Left out? It was stupid.

Victoria appeared at my side in an instant, looping her arm through mine. "We're rooming together, right?" she asked, her voice pitched high with fake sweetness. Before I could even respond, she had already started pulling me toward the front desk where the teachers were distributing keys.

I glanced around the lobby, taking stock of who was pairing with whom. Sophie and Audrey had already linked arms, whispering excitedly about something. Most of the other students had quickly formed their pairs, leaving just a few stragglers—including Brooke.

She stood a bit apart from everyone else, her gaze fixed on something outside the large picture windows. Her expression was difficult to read, but there was a tension in her shoulders that hadn't been there before. As the lobby cleared out, with pairs of students heading toward their rooms, she remained rooted to the spot, fidgeting with the straps of her backpack.

No one wants to room with her, I realized with a sudden clarity that made my stomach twist uncomfortably. It wasn't surprised exactly—Brooke wasn't exactly Miss Popularity—but seeing her standing there alone while everyone else had paired off hit me in a way I wasn't expecting.

Victoria tugged on my arm, pulling me forward. "Come on, Mads. Let's get our key before we end up with a room facing the parking lot."

But I couldn't look away from Brooke. Something about the set of her jaw, the forced casualness in her posture as she pretended not to care that she was the odd one out, struck a chord with me. A strange feeling washed over me, something I couldn't quite identify. Was it guilt? Pity? I didn't think I was capable of feeling sorry for anyone, especially not someone likeBrooke Winters. I didn't care about people outside my circle. I didn't care about anyone except Sam, really.

So why did I suddenly feel so... responsible?

"Actually," I said, pulling my arm free from Victoria's grip, "I think I'm going to room with Brooke."

Victoria stared at me like I'd just announced I was dropping out of school to join the circus.

"What?" she hissed, her eyes narrowing to slits. "You're joking, right?Her?"

I shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant, though my heart was racing for some reason.

”Yeah, why not? It could be... interesting."

"Interesting?" Victoria repeated, her voice rising an octave. "Have you lost your mind, Madeline? She's a total nobody. She doesn't even talk to anyone."

I felt a flash of irritation at Victoria's words. Yes, Brooke was quiet and kept to herself, but "nobody" seemed harsh, even by my standards. "Well, maybe that's the point," I said coolly. "At least she won't talk my ear off all night."

Victoria's face flushed an angry red. "Wow, okay. I see how it is." She crossed her arms over her chest, her acrylic nails tapping against her forearm in rapid succession.

"Fine. Room with the freak. See if I care."

"Don't be so dramatic, Vic," I said, rolling my eyes. "It's just for a few nights."

Without waiting for her response, I walked away, heading toward Brooke, who was now pretending to be deeply interested in a brochure about the resort's amenities. As I approached, she looked up, her brown eyes widening slightly in surprise.

"Looks like we're roommates," I announced, without preamble. I tried to sound casual, like this was the most normal thing in the world, me choosing to room with her instead of my actual friends.

Her eyebrows shot up, nearly disappearing beneath her bangs. "What? Why?" The confusion in her voice was almost comical.

"Because Victoria snores like a chainsaw," I lied, shrugging like it was no big deal. "And I need my beauty sleep."

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