Perfect Mistake (Privilege 3)

"Just one of the many perks of living in Privilege House," Soomie said, brushing one of her thick braids over her shoulder.

"And we're already paired off, so you two might as well pair off too," Maria suggested. "Before you get stuck with some loser like Tahira."

"Now, now," Lexa scolded with a laugh.

"What do you think, Ana? We can help each other figure this place out," Kaitlynn suggested, putting on a perfect, eager puppy dog act. Making it impossible for Ariana to turn her down without looking like a bitch in front of her friends.

"Sure. Sounds great," Ariana said, gritting her teeth.

Kaitlynn smiled in triumph. As the girls made their way up the hill at the front of the long line of students, Kaitlynn leaned toward Ariana's ear.

"It'll be just like old times," she whispered.

Right. Except back then I didn't know you were a psychotic, coldblooded murderer.

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Ariana felt so heavy with dread and defeat, her steps started to slow. Soon she was watching all four of her new friends from behind as they trotted up the hill, gabbing merrily with her sworn enemy. The enemy who was going to be sleeping in the next bed for the rest of the year.

17

CHOOSE

As Ariana walked into Wolcott Hall, she managed to let all her venomous feelings toward Kaitlynn go so that she could properly survey the rewards of her triumph. She was not disappointed.The floor--to--ceiling windows Ariana had noticed from outside bordered the common study area, which was dotted with deep velvet couches and chairs. Dark maple study carrels, each with a wing--backed executive chair, had Internet hookups for the students' laptops. Off the study area on the east side, facing the river, was a small cafe with a coffee bar, pastry counter, and sandwich board, which opened onto a private patio. Next to that was a game room, complete with a pool table, several chess tables, and two flat--screen TVs with Wiis attached. Off the west side of the study area was a state--of--the art gym, packed with cardio machines, weight machines, yoga mats, exercise balls, and free weights.

"Wow. Definitely a step up from the Brenda T.," Kaitlynn said under her breath.

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Ignoring her, Ariana walked over to two heavy double doors opposite the gym. "What's in here?" she asked, standing on her toes to try to see through the high windows.

"That's the theater," Lexa explained, yanking open the doors. She stepped over the threshold and flipped on the lights. Inside were at least twenty--five stadium--style seats with cup holders and fat armrests, facing a small movie screen. "It was donated by Vera Cassidy a few years ago. She's an alum."

"Vera Cassidy . . ." Ariana said, racking her brain. The name was familiar, but she couldn't place why.

"The director?" Soomie prompted, as if Ariana were somehow deficient for not knowing this. "First female auteur ever to win best director at the Independent Spirit Awards and the Oscars in the same year?

"She makes sure we get first--run films up here," Maria said. "Guess she really liked this place."

"I can see why," Kaitlynn said, looking around the common area in a proprietary way that made Ariana's skin crawl.

"Come on, we'd better get upstairs and pick our rooms," Brigit said as the crowd outside the elevators started to grow.

"Like anyone's gonna take our rooms," Maria said.

"Don't rain on her parade. She's just excited," Soomie replied.

Just as they were about to approach the group of chatting girls outside the Bella tower elevators, a group of loud, raucous boys walked into the common area from Alpha tower. Ariana's heart tripped when she heard Palmer's uninhibited laugh. His heather gray APH T--shirt

19

was untucked over well--worn jeans, his black hair covered by a battered New York Yankees baseball cap. Ariana automatically glanced at Lexa, who had gone pale beneath her smattering of adorable freckles. Palmer and his crew, including Landon, Adam, Christian, and Rob, paused when they saw the girls. Palmer's boyish grin faltered, but not so much that a casual observer would notice. There was a brief moment of uncomfortable silence, during which Palmer glanced at Ariana in a way that made her knees puddle.

You're all mine now, she thought. You're mine and I'm yours. Happy little goose bumps bubbled up all over her skin.

"Privilege House, baby!" Christian shouted, breaking the silence.

"Whooo!" Landon cheered, bending at the knees and leaning his head back like a howling wolf. His long bangs fell backward from his face, and the tendons on his skinny forearms stuck out as he clenched his fists.