Private (Private 1)

has to be a reasonable explanation for this.”

waiting for the elevator. The last thing I wanted was to ride up in

“Like what?” I asked.

that claustrophobic space with a larger-than-life man and his

I felt like I was having a heart attack. First Thomas, now this.

could-be-mad-at-me daughter. It might send me over the edge. I

How much could one girl handle in one morning?

turned around and shoved my way into the stairwell, taking the

Constance looked at me and bit her lip. “Your grades have been

steps two at a time. Maybe Thomas had left a note on my door. Or better, right?”

maybe he was even hanging out in my room.

For a second everything clouded over. “You think they kicked

A girl could hope.

me out?”

I arrived at our door, all sweaty and out of breath, at the same

“No! I don’t know!” Constance said desperately. “I just . . .

exact moment as C

onstance. She was alone. Thank God.

where’s all your stuff?”

“Where are your parents?” I asked, heaving.

“I have to go,” I said, walking toward the door on shaky legs. I

“Waiting in the common room,” she said. “What’s going on? Are

felt like I was in a dream. “I have to go find . . . someone.”

you all right? We all saw Thomas’s parents at services. Did some-Naylor, maybe. The dean? Who the hell did people go to when

thing happen to him?”

all their things disappeared from their room? Had they kicked Hell if I know. But apparently my proximity to the newest gossip me out?

had erased her memory of last night’s slight.

And then it hit me. The Billings Girls. Natasha’s accusation. Her

“I’m sure he’s fine,” I lied.

insinuation that somehow Noelle had been responsible for Leanne.