“Yes, I believe that’s where Great Britain is, last time I checked.” Maude sighs. “We think we could fit in there. Or at least, not stand out atrociously everywhere we go.”

“Your accents.”

She nods. “At least our voices won’t sound out of place. It’s a small thing, but it would help. Plus, England hasn’t been so focused on us, not the way they have in America.”

Maude’s referring to the daily tabloids written about her and her friends, the news shows, and the feeds that constantly speculate about the Similars’ interests, failings, and love lives. Most of it’s made up, completely fabricated by the media, and I can’t blame them for wanting to distance themselves from it. But Oxford? It’s so far.

“Cloning is legal there,” she adds. “They actually support clones and welcome them across their border. Another reason to leave.”

But I’m not focused on that. All I can think about is how far away Levi’s going to be…from me. Any shred of hope I’ve been holding on to that we’ll be together after senior year, now that’s gone too. “So Levi will apply from Castor Island. Meet you there. In England.” A lump forms in the back of my throat.

“If Gravelle will let him.” Maude sighs. “Yes. That’s the plan. He’ll be eighteen by then. If he can get off the island, he won’t ever have to go back. None of us will. Of course, that’s what worries me. Will Gravelle ever let him go, knowing that he may never see him again if he does?”

The thought guts me. What if Gravelle won’t ever let Levi leave? It’s too awful to consider.

Maude goes back to her studying. I know I’m not fooling her, acting like I’m okay with this. Still, she doesn’t press me on it. I make a mental note to add the University of Oxford to my list of potential colleges. The thought of it makes me feel closer to Levi, even though I know that’s silly. He might not even be going. And though I’d never follow a boy to college…even Levi…Oxford’s one of the top universities in the world. If I could get in… It could never be a bad choice. Especially if you’re a Similar, looking for anonymity… I shake off the thought. I’m not ready to think about that. About how my cuts healed so quickly. About hearing Harlowe’s thoughts. Not now. Maybe not ever.