uniform and washed my face. I immediately felt more like myself, not as shaky and freaked out.
Whatever was up here, one thing was certain. I needed to study. This was not a school I’d be able to coast in, and if I flunked out I’d never see Zach again. But no more than an hour later, I already needed a study break.
There are probably Ivy League colleges with a less rigorous curriculum
. As I flipped through a magazine, my mind wandered back to my encounter with Trent. It was another very strange incident to add to all the other peculiar things that I had seen since I got to Shadow Hills.
I thought again of the archives room that I’d overheard Zach and Corinne discussing in the library.
Grabbing the guidebook off my desk, I thumbed through it carefully, looking for any mention of an archives room. Nothing. I went over to my dresser and pulled the welcome packet off the top. It wasn’t on any of the maps either. What kind of school had a secret locked archives room?
They must have something of great value in it
. And I was willing to bet it wasn’t a first edition
Moby-Dick
.
The more I thought about it, the more convinced I was thatat least some of the answers I was looking for must lie in that archives room. It was like the gold key in my dream had been pointing me to it. And tonight would be the perfect time to try to find it, while everyone was at the movie and the library was closed. Surely that was where the room was located, and luckily I knew where I could get a key to the library: Graham.
I seriously doubted that he would carry that gigantic key ring with him to the movies.
I can sneak into his dorm room and try to find it after he leaves
.
I realized that it was an insane plan, but I couldn’t sit around and do nothing.
Graham had written his name and room number down when he had first given the welcome packet to me—Garrettson Hall, Room 216.
Good, that shouldn’t be hard to find
. My room was 116, so if the dorms were the same, as they looked on the outside, Graham’s room would be at the end of the hall on the left, like mine, only a floor higher.
A knock at my door pulled me out of my reverie.
“Yeah!” I called, sticking the map back in the folder and tossing it aside.
Adriana stuck her head in.
“You ready to go to the SAC?”
“I’m actually not feeling so good.” I rubbed my stomach in a show of pain. “I think I’m going to stay here.”
“What’s wrong?” Adriana’s expression was concerned. “Do you need me to take you to the infirmary?”
“No.” I shook my head. “I’ll be okay. I just have a stomachache.”
“Okay. Text me if you need anything,” Adriana told me before leaving.
I waited a few minutes, then followed her. The stone pathways outside were deserted. Everyone was either at the movies or studying in their rooms. There were several lights on in Garrettson, Graham’s dorm, probably boarders trying to memorize their textbooks to keep up with the townies. I pushed open the front door and stuck my head in.
It was clear. I took a soft step into the lobby, one of my shoes squeaking against the tile floor.
Shit
. I slid off my Vans and dropped them into my oversize purse. Silently, I made my way along the hall, not even daring to breathe until I got to the stairs. I ran up them as noiselessly as I could, pausing for a moment outside Graham’s door.
If he finds out I went into his room and stole his keys, I could lose the first friend I made at Devenish
. Was I willing to take that risk?
I thought of Trent’s fiery grip on my hand. My weird dreams. My inexplicable connection to Zach.
I have to know
. I’d just make sure Graham never found out. I held my breath and turned the knob.
The door swung open. I was in. My eyes canvassed the room.
Where would Graham keep his keys?
My first two attempts at his desk and bedside table both turned up nothing. My gaze fell on the dresser. I pulled open the top drawer, and my breath caught at the loud creak it
Whatever was up here, one thing was certain. I needed to study. This was not a school I’d be able to coast in, and if I flunked out I’d never see Zach again. But no more than an hour later, I already needed a study break.
There are probably Ivy League colleges with a less rigorous curriculum
. As I flipped through a magazine, my mind wandered back to my encounter with Trent. It was another very strange incident to add to all the other peculiar things that I had seen since I got to Shadow Hills.
I thought again of the archives room that I’d overheard Zach and Corinne discussing in the library.
Grabbing the guidebook off my desk, I thumbed through it carefully, looking for any mention of an archives room. Nothing. I went over to my dresser and pulled the welcome packet off the top. It wasn’t on any of the maps either. What kind of school had a secret locked archives room?
They must have something of great value in it
. And I was willing to bet it wasn’t a first edition
Moby-Dick
.
The more I thought about it, the more convinced I was thatat least some of the answers I was looking for must lie in that archives room. It was like the gold key in my dream had been pointing me to it. And tonight would be the perfect time to try to find it, while everyone was at the movie and the library was closed. Surely that was where the room was located, and luckily I knew where I could get a key to the library: Graham.
I seriously doubted that he would carry that gigantic key ring with him to the movies.
I can sneak into his dorm room and try to find it after he leaves
.
I realized that it was an insane plan, but I couldn’t sit around and do nothing.
Graham had written his name and room number down when he had first given the welcome packet to me—Garrettson Hall, Room 216.
Good, that shouldn’t be hard to find
. My room was 116, so if the dorms were the same, as they looked on the outside, Graham’s room would be at the end of the hall on the left, like mine, only a floor higher.
A knock at my door pulled me out of my reverie.
“Yeah!” I called, sticking the map back in the folder and tossing it aside.
Adriana stuck her head in.
“You ready to go to the SAC?”
“I’m actually not feeling so good.” I rubbed my stomach in a show of pain. “I think I’m going to stay here.”
“What’s wrong?” Adriana’s expression was concerned. “Do you need me to take you to the infirmary?”
“No.” I shook my head. “I’ll be okay. I just have a stomachache.”
“Okay. Text me if you need anything,” Adriana told me before leaving.
I waited a few minutes, then followed her. The stone pathways outside were deserted. Everyone was either at the movies or studying in their rooms. There were several lights on in Garrettson, Graham’s dorm, probably boarders trying to memorize their textbooks to keep up with the townies. I pushed open the front door and stuck my head in.
It was clear. I took a soft step into the lobby, one of my shoes squeaking against the tile floor.
Shit
. I slid off my Vans and dropped them into my oversize purse. Silently, I made my way along the hall, not even daring to breathe until I got to the stairs. I ran up them as noiselessly as I could, pausing for a moment outside Graham’s door.
If he finds out I went into his room and stole his keys, I could lose the first friend I made at Devenish
. Was I willing to take that risk?
I thought of Trent’s fiery grip on my hand. My weird dreams. My inexplicable connection to Zach.
I have to know
. I’d just make sure Graham never found out. I held my breath and turned the knob.
The door swung open. I was in. My eyes canvassed the room.
Where would Graham keep his keys?
My first two attempts at his desk and bedside table both turned up nothing. My gaze fell on the dresser. I pulled open the top drawer, and my breath caught at the loud creak it
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