Even with my door closed (but not locked, per Camden rules for “safety reasons”) and Blackpink blaring through my laptop speakers while I make my bed and put my clothing in the provided dresser and small closet, I swear I can hear the entire school talking about me. I’d envisioned doing the moving-in part with a roommate, then wandering the halls and meeting other girls, checking out the lounge, maybe finding other people who like card games and rom-coms and planning fake trips to places they’ll probably never go. And it isn’t that I’m afraid I’ve made a mistake by coming here, exactly, since there was no way I could’ve stayed at GHS … but I’m not exactly sure I’ve traded up, either.

A knock sounds at the door, and I groan under my breath, positive it’s Hoffman and praying that if I don’t answer, he’ll just go away. Of course, he knocks again, so I drag myself over to my computer to turn down the music and swing the door open, only to reveal … Matt Haley?

“Hey there.” He flashes me the smile that has apparently dropped a thousand pairs of panties. “You must be Evie.” He holds out a hand, and for a moment, I hear Salem in my head, warning me not to shake it, because I absolutely do know where it’s been.

But Matt’s being friendly, and Salem doesn’t strike me as someone who knows the meaning of the word, so I take it. “I am. Matt, right?”

“I see my reputation has preceded me.” If possible, his smile widens even further. “You need help with anything?” He peeks his head in, and I let him; there’s really nothing to see. “Looks like you’ve still got a ways to go.”

“Actually, I’m just about done.” I’m sure other people have photographs and posters and all sorts of fun things on their shelves and walls, but I wanted as few reminders of home as possible. All I’ve got with me are some comfort reads, the deck of cards I never go anywhere without (my Emotional Support Deck, my former best friend Claire used to call it), a backup deck, and the stuffed panda I couldn’t make myself leave behind.

His smile falters into an O. “Is this seriously all you brought?”

“Of course not. My driver will be coming around with my queen-size canopy bed within the hour.”

He gives me a funny look, I guess unimpressed by my British accent, and then shrugs and asks if he can come inside.