Up ahead, Kyran picks an apple and tosses it to Garrett. My stomach drops at the sight of him, my arm hairs standing on end.

“Don’t get your hopes up,” Rayelle says, studying me. “That’s Garrett Alexander. Yes, he’s hot, but he’s practically married to Chloe over there.”

On the other side of the crops, a copper-haired girl with tawny skin is headed for Garrett. Her jumpsuit somehow manages to make her look like a curvy goddess. In my old life, I would have pinged her as a potential friend—the prettiest girl I’ve seen, and therefore a required ally.

“She’s a total decoy,” Rayelle says. “The only thing she’s good at is distraction, but Garrett seems to be into that.”

“That’s unfortunate.”

Rayelle smiles. “It is. He’ll probably pick her as his partner when he wins the Quest, but every girl here wishes he’d pick them.”

“Not me,” I say as we pass into another glass room. The air here is thick and humid, and sweat beads on my forehead. “I hope nobody picks me.”

“It’s not an option. You have to assist in the Initiation Heist—it’s your training for next year, when you lead your own heist. But don’t worry. He won’t.”

Disappointment dips in my belly, and I’m annoyed that I care in the first place.

“Hey Sophia,” Rayelle calls out. “Who’s your roommate?”

Up ahead, a girl with white-blond hair that reaches her butt turns around. “Ugh. Harbor.” Her eyes are huge, painted like a cartoon, and the only thing asymmetrical about her is a set of whiskers snaking over one of her cheeks.

“Weird,” Rayelle says as we fall into step with Sophia. “Who’s Chloe rooming with, then?”

“Nobody. The boys are in a triple, and she has a single. Wonder who arranged that.” Sophia rolls her eyes.

“This is Elisha, by the way,” Rayelle introduces me. “She’s my roommate.”

“New girl. Nice work at the assembly,” Sophia says. “Were you trying to jump out the window or something?”

I feel the blood drain from my face as I picture my ridiculous-scarecrow-act—all flailing arms until I launched myself across the room. Awesome first impression. “There was a bird flying straight for the glass, and I thought I could stop it.” Tripping over my words, I quickly change the subject. “Do you two want to room together? I’ll stay with Harbor. Everyone is new to me anyway.”

They glance at each other and come to a quick decision. I’m jealous of their obvious telepathic connection, no doubt the result of years of friendship. It’s how Deena and I should have been.

“Nah,” Sophia says. “I wouldn’t do that to you. I can handle Harbor.”

“We call Chloe and Harbor the HMs—they’re high maintenance,” Rayelle says. “If you ever care what’s what in Influencer culture, they’re the ones to ask.”

Got it. I’ll steer clear.

The temperature shifts to a dry, mild warmth, and a soft breeze washes over us, as promised, smelling sweetly of citrus. We arrive at a single-story row of three rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows flanking each yellow door.