Private (Private 1)

When it creaked to life, I died a slow death. The printer was ancient and louder than an A-bomb. When it started printing, I actually squeezed out a tear of desperation. One page an hour, approximately.

As each page printed, I snatched it from the printer. My feet

AN INVITATION

tapped. My hands quaked. My heart was executing an erratic beat that had to be unhealthy. Finally, finally, the last page came

through. I lunged at the computer and shut it down; then, having no clue if the security detail was already in the building looking for me, I bolted.

I heard the cackle of a laugh and slowly looked up. It was Noelle.

In the hallway I paused for a millisecond. I listened for footsteps Noelle was standing just outside the door.

and heard nothing.

“Reed Brennan! Come on out!” she sang quietly.

Maybe luck was on my side.

Shaking and cursing under my breath, I pushed myself to my

Knowing there was absolutely no way I could climb up the base-

feet and staggered for the door. As I shoved it open, Noelle, Ariana, ment wall and back out through that tiny window, I headed for the Kiran, and Taylor all moved aside. Noelle’s face had been distorted front door. I ran as fast as I could down the hallway, rounded a cor-by the pebbling in the window, but if I hadn’t been in such a panic ner, and skidded into the entryway hall. I was about to run for the and if I’d had a second longer to take her in, I would have realized it door when everything dropped out from under me and I fell to the was her. I felt like a total idiot. I had fallen to the floor right in front floor in horror.

of her.

There was a face in the window.

She grabbed my hand and pulled me, still laughing, into the

shadows, the rest of the girls at our heels. I started to seethe.

“You should have seen your face,” Noelle whispered mirthfully

once we were a safe distance from all buildings housing any adults.

“Sorry I missed it,” I said, whipping the test out and handing it to Ariana. “Here. Enjoy.”

“Oh! She’s upset!” Kiran teased.

162

K A T E B R I A N

“Calm down, Reed. It was just a joke,” Taylor said.

“Great. Funny. Can I go to bed now?” I asked.

Noelle paused. Her eyes darkened. “You keep up that attitude

and you won’t get what you have coming to you.”

My heart skipped a distressed, curious beat. “What do you

INSIDE

mean?”