Penelope laughed as they took their seats, Jaya next to Daphne Elizabeth and Penelope next to a Haitian girl named Trinity and some of Trinity’s friends. “It’s a limousine bus,” Penelope said. “It’s even got—”

“A bar! Ouah!” Leo cried.

“A bar stocked with hot chocolate and soda,” a blond, middle-aged female teacher Jaya didn’t know said wryly. “Have a seat, Mr. Nguyen.”

Leo sighed theatrically and slid in next to Daphne Elizabeth and Jaya. Rahul followed. “Can you believe this fascism?” Leo said, and Daphne Elizabeth shrugged. “Will you two go to the slopes after?”

Jaya looked around for Grey but didn’t see him. Surely he wouldn’t just stay in his dorm and abandon Aspen completely? “Erm, yes,” she said. “Daphne Elizabeth’s going skiing with me. Have you seen Grey?”

“I texted him seven minutes ago, but he hasn’t answered yet,” Rahul said. “Maybe he won’t come this year.”

Jaya felt a thud of disappointment. Which was clearly because Grey was impeding her plan by keeping himself isolated this way.

“Skiing?” Leo said scornfully. “You need to snowboard! That is what Rahul and I are going to do.”

Jaya raised an eyebrow. “Didn’t you tell Sam Wickers you were going skiing? Something to do with the fact that she’s a black diamond skier herself?”

“Allow me to share what I have learned about wooing hot girls,” Leo said, leaning forward. “You must get your foot in the door when you can or—”

A loud, authoritative female voice spoke from outside, interrupting him. “No! My father’s assistant cleared this well in advance. I’ll be riding in my own car with Alaric. See, that’s my driver, Pietro.”

An affected male voice, with a slight German accent that made Daphne Elizabeth stiffen in her seat: “Caterina, please do not make such a scene. Let’s go in the bus.”

“Alaric, why can’t you just for once be on my side?”

“Ms. LaValle, we simply cannot allow you to make your own accommodations. I don’t know who your father’s assistant spoke to in the office, but Dr. Waverly has made it quite clear that no deviations are permitted. Not for anyone.”

“Okay, fine. Then I’m just going to go sit in my car. What are you going to do? Drag me out?”

The blond, middle-aged teacher on the bus stepped down to see what was happening.

“You’re being ridiculous.” Alaric’s voice floated in to them. It was low and furious. Jaya could barely hear it.

“Don’t call me ridiculous! This situation is what’s ridiculous! We’re not preschoolers! Pietro is a professional driver!”