The Hit List by Nikki Urang Page A

else.”
    Luke’s my partner, and like it or not, I need to get over my shit and just dance with him. No matter how hard it might be for me.
    She shrugs. “Fine. No one’s going to say anything about it. Not everyone gets along with their partner, but we all need to rehearse.”
    It’s tempting, but there isn’t anyone else I’d want to partner with. Being with Luke isn’t the issue. It’s having a partner at all. I just don’t want to do it.
    “Adam would probably be willing to help you out, if you want. You just have to ask.” She swivels back and forth in her chair.
    It’s not a bad idea. I’d already requested Adam as my partner anyway. She could have come up with something worse.
    “It’s just a thought. You don’t have to. I’d prefer not to have to break in a new roommate when you end up leaving because you can’t figure this partner stuff out, but whatevs.” A look of indifference crosses her face, but I can see the little worry lines creasing her forehead as she stares out the window.
    It won’t hurt me to try. Hopefully.
    As much as it annoys me to admit that I might have to depend on someone else again, my need to do well in L. A. overpowers it. The longer I struggle with Luke, the faster London slips through my fingers. The sooner I’ll be forced to deal with what I’ll do when I don’t have dance anymore. I pull the door open and stare out into the hallway.
    “See you later.” The corner of her mouth tips up briefly.
    I don’t acknowledge her. If I stop now, I might not ask Adam at all. He’s my one chance to get this right. I don’t know what I’ll do if he doesn’t want to help me.
    Adam’s room is down a different hall than ours. He opens the door as soon as I knock. “Hey.”
    I glance into his room, trying to gauge whether I’m keeping him from doing something. “Can we talk?”
    “Yeah.” He looks back into his room at his roommate. “But let’s go out. James is trying to study.”
    “Hey, James.” I lean into the doorway and wave at him while Adam grabs his cell phone off his desk.
    He waves back at me and jumps off the bed. “Hey, Sadie. I was wondering if maybe you wanted to get dinner sometime?” He looks down at his feet when he’s finished talking, obviously nervous.
    Adam coughs beside us as he tries to muffle his laughter. I elbow him in the ribs and his laughter turns to real coughing.
    “That’s really sweet of you, James, but I’m so busy I don’t really have time to date. I’m sorry.” It’s not really a lie anymore, but I feel kind of bad saying no. James is probably the sweetest guy that’s asked me out in a long time. And the offer seems genuine coming from him. There’s no way someone as nice as him is involved with the people behind The Hit List.
    James’s face drops. “Oh, that’s okay, just thought I’d ask.”
    “I have the studio reserved tonight. Let’s go there.” Adam pushes me out into the hallway.
    I stumble over my feet and glare at him.
    He closes the door behind us. “You know, James isn’t playing that game. So if you did actually want to go out with him, it’s not like he’d try to use you for points.”
    “How do you know?” It’s hard to give anyone the benefit of the doubt when it comes to The Hit List. James genuinely seems like a nice guy and if Adam thinks he’s not involved, I feel a little safer. But not safe enough for a date.
    Adam shrugs. “I’ve known him for a while now. He’s not the type.”
    I follow Adam through the now familiar halls. They’re dark and empty, with only every third light illuminated. I’m glad Adam is with me and I don’t have to walk through here by myself. It’s creepy.
    Two girls from the music department walk toward us down the hallway. One is in a class with me. She’s hard to miss with her bright pink hair. They talk quietly to each other, but as they get closer, I can make out their words.
    The brunette I don’t recognize plays with a strand of her hair as she