Private (Private 1)

Noelle was right. This was my life now.

I was just dozing off when my cell phone beeped. I jumped up, heart

“Okay,” I said finally.

in my throat. I glanced at the digital clock on Constance’s desk:

“Really?”

12:01 a.m. Who the hell was texting me at 12:01? It beeped again and

“Are you kidding?” I said with a playful smile. “Count me in. I I scrambled through my bag for it, glancing over at Constance as I can not wait to meet Lawrence and Trina.”

blindly searched. Her chest rose and fell in its normal rhythm

without so much as a flinch. A sleep that deep could not be safe. But at least it was good for me.

The screen of my cell was alight with a text message. I lost all breath when I saw the words.

MEET BEHIND BILLINGS. U HAVE 3 MINS.

What the?

Okay. Apparently the slave portion of my relationship with the

Billings Girls was not over.

Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to think. I jumped up, threw a sweatshirt on over my pajama pants, and jammed my bare feet into sneakers. I felt loud and awkward and clumsy as I tiptoed out of the

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room and closed the door behind me. I bypassed the elevator—

selflessly with my work? I had thought she was kind. Normal even.

which had a ping! that could wake the dead and was right next to Now she was staring me down with the rest of them asking me to, Miss Ling’s room on the first floor—and headed for the stairs. My what? Break into a teacher’s office?

heart was in my throat all the way down the five flights and into the

“Don’t look so freaked,” Noelle said. “Dramble’s office is on the lobby. I held on to the heavy back door to Bradwell until it finally first floor of Hell Hall. It’s a piece of cake.”

clicked closed, expecting at every second for Miss Ling to appear,

“If it’s such a piece of cake, why aren’t you doing it?” I asked.

fearing that I’d tripped some silent alarm. But nothing happened.

Then immediately regretted it.

Thank God.

“Excuse me?” Kiran said, her brow creased in disbelief.