“I’m Evelyn,” I said after a few tense seconds of silence. “Do you know where I can get a towel? I’d like to dry off.”

Noelle lit another cigarette. I tried not to wrinkle my nose as the smell spread through the room.

“Noelle? I know you don’t want me to be here, but maybe we can get along? I’ll try not to be too annoying—”

At that, she finally turned around and walked up to me, not stopping until we were almost touching, and I could smell not only the cigarette smoke but also her perfume. “Try harder.”

Breathing suddenly felt like a Herculean task. Noelle waited a few seconds, slowly exhaling the smoke from her nose. When I didn’t say anything, she laughed—a short, raspy sound that made the blood in my veins freeze—and disappeared through the door that Amelia had left open. Looking after her, I realized that Noelle was as intimidating as Amelia had said. Almost as intimidating as she was beautiful.

And right now I wasn’t sure which was worse.

2

Evelyn

Noelle didn’t sleep in our room that night. When I had gone to bed, I had half expected to be woken up by her returning, but instead I awoke to the sound of my phone’s alarm and the morning sun streaming through the window.

Breathing in the scent of an unfamiliar washing powder that clung to the bedsheets, I noted the room seemed bigger in the daylight, though that might have also been owed to Noelle’s absence. I dimly wondered where she might have spent the night, but decided I didn’t want to know.

At least her disappearing act had allowed me to take my time unpacking most of my luggage last night without feeling like I was bothering her. With a stack of my favorite books on the bedside table and a picture of my parents next to it, the space already felt more like home.

Looking at it, I remembered with a start that I hadn’t texted my parents last night. I quickly scrambled for my phone, opening it to three worried messages from my mom.

How was the train ride? :)

Did you get there okay? I saw online that it was raining! Did you pack your raincoat?

I’m going to bed now. Please text me back when you read this!

Have a good first day and call if anything happens, all right? Love, Mom xx

Guilt reared its head inside my chest as I quickly typed: Sorry for not responding last night. The train ride was good, I met a boy who’s also going to Seven Hills so I didn’t have to walk there alone.

Everyone’s really nice so far. A lie, but one that I knew would calm her. Maybe I’ll call you after class. Love you loads!!

Finally, I dragged myself out of bed, showered, did my hair and makeup, and then tackled my uniform. It lay neatly folded in my unzipped suitcase, a pristine white button-down shirt that peeked out from under a dark navy sweater and a blue tie with stripes in a lighter shade. Additionally, there was a black skirt and white socks that almost went up to my knees.