If you graded St. Anthony’s teachers from best to worst, he would get the best marks.

Mr. Humphries is my dad’s age, but he dresses a lot sharper. The edges of his tattoos poke from his shirtsleeves, and we all have our theories what they are.

He never talks down to us or shouts for no reason. Some teachers think loudness is their most important asset, but he knows it’s fairness. If you’ve pissed him off, you know you deserve it.

“I wanted to talk to you about Mayfield Lodge,” he says.

I nod, trying to stay calm even though I’d forgotten all about it.

Every March, the eleventh-grade theology class goes on a retreat, and when they come back, they’re different. You can see it in their smiles and how they walk. They look lighter. And it freaks the rest of us out. This year, it’s our turn.

“I’ve spoken to them,” Mr. Humphries says. “They will not sanction any additional visitors.”

Emily will be gutted if I don’t go. So will I.

Mr. Humphries smiles. “I haven’t finished yet. They still want you to come, Jess. And they understand that on the first day, you have certain responsibilities.”

I think of the minicams sitting untouched on my desk at home.

“Provided you can film yourself, there won’t be a problem. I thought I would warn you now so you can speak to the appropriate people.”

It means that for one week, if Adrian and Danny agree, I will go solo.

“Thank you. I’ll ask.”

“If they say no, I’m afraid you won’t be able to come. But you’ll get a full refund.”

Emily is waiting for me outside, and when I tell her, she says, “You’d better come. You’re not leaving me on my own.”

There are ten other people in our theology class, six girls and four boys, but none of them are what you would call friends. If I don’t go, Emily will sulk her way through the whole week.

Before the show, I was looking forward to Mayfield Lodge. Now I’m worried, because I forgot to mention it on my application form, and that will be the fourth week.

For four of us, it will be our last week, and I’m going to have to do it alone.

Chapter 39

That night, I catch up on what I’ve missed from the others.

It’s hard to keep up, and I worry my audience is feeling the same, wonder if their busy lives will get in the way and they’ll stop watching.

I watch Sonia first. There are lots of theories about her. People have even started messaging me.

Have you met Sonia?

What is she hiding?