We’ve not even across the threshold when she turns to face me. “You can’t threaten those people. Don’t even try. Oh my god, Claire, this could have ended badly for you.” She shakes her head, looking at me like I’ve grown a second head. “They’re all powerful here. Not only in the school; in this town. They can literally make you disappear if they want to. Don’t piss anyone off in Thorn Falls. Especially not those who live in these houses.”

“He was going to make you kiss him,” I protest somewhat weakly.

Maybe I was projecting my issues of tonight on her a little, but surely I wasn’t wrong to make him back off?

She sighs deeply. “It’s…a game, all right? And I don’t mind any of it. Come on. I’ll take you home. Damn, you’re lucky Keller likes you,” she mutters as we walk. “I thought Cross would eat you alive on the spot. He likely would have, if he wasn’t reluctant to step on someone else’s territory.”

“I’m not Keller’s territory,” I bite out.

“Right. Just like I’d say I’m not Cross’s if anyone asked. I don’t belong to anyone. But as far as they are concerned, they’ve decided to play with us,” she explains slowly, like she would talk to a child. “And they respect that. None of the other people in those houses will really fuck with you since Keller registered an interest. It’s, like, common courtesy for them. And trust me, it comes in handy. Come on, let’s walk a little faster.”

She is eager to get me away from the house and back to the dorm. A few times, I see her turn, checking if we’re being followed, I think. Finding her entire behavior both worrying and irritating, I redirect my attention to our surroundings.

The long road between the dorm and the private houses of the rich legacy students is paved in smooth gray stone, a sidewalk on both sides of it, wide enough for three or four people to walk side by side. Each house is surrounded by gates, all electric, and I also spot security personnel walking around the buildings. Handsome, well-groomed trees have been planted both behind the houses and in front of them. It occurs to me they obscure the view from the street level to the houses. Most of the windows are tinted; despite seeing lights inside, I can’t really spot anything, not even a shadow from any windows. These places are completely private. It’s a bit of overkill for glorified frat houses.