“I don’t know. The lawyer didn’t mention any plans,” Ariana replied, trying to keep voice steady.
“Do you want me to call him back for you?” Lexa said. “I understand if it’s all too much.”
“That’s s
weet, but don’t worry about it,” Ariana said, trying to think five steps ahead, trying to come up with a plan to get out of going to Texas. “I’ll figure it out.”
They exited the elevator and turned the corner into the hallway leading to their rooms.
“It’s freezing in here,” Ariana said, pulling her wool coat tighter around her body.
Lexa touched Ariana’s arm, her eyes wide. “Why’s the door to my room open?”
The two of them walked cautiously down the hall together. They found Maria standing just inside her and Lexa’s room, wearing flannel pajama bottoms and an Atherton-Pryce sweatshirt, her arms folded as she kept an eye on a janitor, who was crouched to the floor. Wind whipped through the window across from the open door, where jagged broken edges of glass stuck out in all directions.
“What happened?” Ariana asked, taking a step into the room. Lexa hovered in the doorway.
“I wouldn’t come any closer, miss,” the janitor said over his shoulder. “There’re glass shards everywhere.”
“Some freshmen decided to play baseball in the dark. Apparently they didn’t know their own strength,” Maria said wryly.
Suddenly one of the shards fell loose from the pane and crashed to the floor, shattering into a million tiny pieces.
“I think . . . I’m going to—” Lexa gasped.
Ariana turned around. Lexa was as pale as milk. A second later, she fainted dead away.
“Lexa!” Maria cried, rushing over to her friend. Ariana ran to the bathroom and came back with a cool, wet towel. She placed it on Lexa’s forehead. A moment later, her friend’s green eyes fluttered open.
“Kaitlynn?” Lexa croaked, pointing limply to the window, where the janitor was sweeping up the last shards.
Ariana’s heart crashed to her knees. The broken window. The shattered glass. This was how Kaitlynn died. Ariana fought the urge to curse aloud. This was not good. This was very, very not good.
“She must be disoriented,” Ariana said to Maria, who had a panicked look on her face. “Lexa, are you okay?”
“Lex, what happened?” Maria asked, grabbing her friend’s hand.
Ariana forced herself to breathe. Lexa could not lose it now. She simply couldn’t. Not when everything was finally going Ariana’s way.
“Do you have low blood sugar? You didn’t eat very much at dinner,” Ariana said before Lexa could answer. She stared at Lexa, silently begging her friend to keep her mouth shut.
“I think we should take you to the infirmary,” Maria said worriedly. The janitor finished taping up the window and left the three girls alone in the room.
Slowly the room began to warm up, and color returned to Lexa’s face. “No, I’m sure Ana’s right.” Lexa struggled to sit up. “Besides, I’m fine now. I swear,” Lexa said, as Maria opened her mouth to protest.
Ariana forced a smile for Maria’s benefit. The two girls helped Lexa into her bed and pulled the covers up tight around her chin.
“Are you sure you’re okay? I can get you some food or call the nurse,” Maria said, laying her hand across Lexa’s forehead.
“Seriously, guys, I’m fine,” Lexa said, waving Maria and Ariana away from her. “Thanks, but I just need some sleep.”
“Do you want me to stay?” Ariana said uncertainly, her hand on the doorknob. “Or you could sleep in my room if you’re worried about . . . the window.”
Lexa shook her head. “I’m fine. Now shoo!” She closed her eyes and snuggled down on her pillow.
Ariana hesitated for a long moment and glanced at Maria. Maria shrugged, so Ariana exited, shutting the door quietly behind her. Once in the hallway, she sank to the floor and clutched her arms, drawing blood where her fingernails dug into her skin.
Sure, Lexa said she was fine. But people who were fine didn’t faint at the sight of broken glass. And if Lexa wasn’t fine, she could take everything Ariana had fought so hard for away with one ill-timed breakdown.