Sighing, Athena began to extricate herself from Teddy’s grasp, a surprisingly complicated ordeal since Teddy had a strong grip. She ended up having to lift Teddy’s arm up and then roll out from under it, and even then, the bear girl’s arm quested for something to hold on to.

Thinking fast, Athena took the pillow from Big Sister Emily’s bed and stuffed it next to Teddy who grabbed it and hugged it close.

Her little—insofar as Teddy was shorter—sister was quite troublesome.

She stared down at Teddy while Teddy got to chewing the top of Emily’s pillow. It was kind of cute, she supposed.

Athena found her glasses folded nice and neatly on the floor near the mattress, and slid them on, then she found her jacket and donned it, so she was protected by its warm cushiony interior.

The pajama pants she had were Teddy’s; they were a bit wide at the hips and ended about midcalf. Her T-shirt didn’t fit all that well, either, so it was nice to be back in something proper.

And then she found herself with a lot of nothing to do.

A whole room all to herself, at least until Teddy woke up. No computer to plan diabolical plans with, no books to read . . .

Athena decided to take an enthusiastic walk.

Walks were good for the heart and general health, and if she encountered anyone, she could display her staggering intellect in a more public forum.

Being the most clever of her sisters, she decided that getting locked out of the room wouldn’t be very wise. So she found a package of loose-leaf paper from Big Sister Emily’s school supplies and appropriated a page. Then she found a bit of tape, and she used both to cover the latch hole on the door. That way the door wouldn’t lock behind her.

She was certain that if Big Sister Emily saw her she would be in awe of Athena’s superior cleverness.

Stepping up, Athena pulled the door to their dorm closed behind her, a big smug grin on her face. One that faded when the taped-up contraption she’d jammed into one side slid down and the door clicked.

She tried the handle.

It was very locked.

She tried the handle some more.

Then she tried some knocking. “Teddy. Teddy! Wake up, you lazy bear!”

“Uh.” Athena paused midbash to look up and around. There was someone there, a taller young woman, with mocha skin and a fashionable blouse over a pair of jeans. “You okay, kid?” she asked.

Athena composed herself, pushing her glasses up her nose and straightening her back. “I am fine,” she said. “I may have locked myself out of my room.”

The girl looked at the number on the door. “That’s . . . Emma’s room? The blond girl?”

“Emily, and yes, that’s my big sister.”