“Cali-what-now?” Stewart laughs.

“As hot as my face is red,” I say.

“Oooh. Yeah,” Stewart says. “That’s hot.”

We all bust out in giggles, and I throw a French fry at him, warmth spreading through me. I don’t remember the last time I laughed with friends.

“I meant it seems like he’s trapped under Chloe’s thumb,” I say as my laughter subsides.

“Never,” Sophia says. “You’ll see. He’ll dump her as soon as he gets officially initiated and leaves Keystone. He’s a guy, and she’s probably fun for now.”

“Being a guy isn’t an excuse,” I reply.

“I don’t know how he can stand her. She’s the worst,” Rayelle says, pushing her food around her plate.

I raise my eyebrows. Even though I’ve only known her a week, it’s unlike her to put anyone down.

“Nobody remembers,” Sophia says, placing a hand on Rayelle’s arm. “It’s ancient history.”

“History never dies in this place, remember?” Rayelle says, turning to me. “Last year, Chloe spread a rumor that I got so drunk at the Into the Woods party I passed out and wet my pants—which is totally untrue—but it stuck. I shouldn’t care, but it still makes me mad. Why would she say that? It’s not like I’m anything to her.”

The hurt in Rayelle’s eyes cuts right through me. “She must be jealous,” I say. “Maybe you are competition for her. Maybe flexibility is her weakness.”

“Poor Garrett,” Sophia says.

We burst into laughter again.

“No matter what, you have to beat Chloe in the obstacle course, Elisha,” Stewart says. “She’s totally afraid of you. Can you imagine the look on her face if she lost to a nobody?” He claps his hands before squeezing my shoulder. “No offense.”

“None taken.” I hold back a smile. “Besides. There’s no chance of me winning. I’m so behind.”

“But Allard is helping you,” Sophia says. “That must count for something.”

“It doesn’t matter.” I shake my head. “I’m learning what you all learned when you were five. There’s no way I’m going to be in the top four.”

“You’re probably right,” Stewart says slowly. Then his eyes light up. “Maybe I’ll win.”

“You do that,” I say.

“And who will you pick for your partner, Stewart?” Rayelle asks.

“Garrett, obviously. He’s the only choice.”

“You could definitely learn from him,” Sophia says. “Have you ever thought about doing some push-ups?” She taps one of his skinny arms.

“Ew. No. The boys like me wiry.”

We all groan.

“No. They don’t.” Sophia laughs, turning to Rayelle. “Who would you pick?”

“Probably Kyran.”

“Kyran? Really?” Sophia says, though I’m not surprised.

“He’s just so…interesting.” Rayelle blushes. “What about you, Elisha?”

“Me? No one. I pick no one.” I imagine myself standing in the Lodge with everyone staring at me while I choose. There’s no way I want to draw that much attention to myself. “If we don’t win the Quest, they pair us up with someone anyway, right?”

“Yes. But you could get stuck with Liam,” Stewart says.