Page 17

“I can’t fit all my clothes into two drawers,” she complained with an armful of clothes.

“Because you brought too many,” I said.

“I hardly brought any,” she said, frowning. “I just didn’t know what we would need.”

“Didn’t you read the instructions on what clothes to bring? Two pairs of jeans, a couple of T-shirts, one nice outfit and dress shoes, underclothes, a swimsuit, a warm coat, hat and gloves, and a couple pairs of pj’s. You’ve got a lot more stuff than that.”

“It’s important to be prepared for every occasion.”

I sighed. “Fine. You can take one of my drawers. I can fit everything into one.” I rearranged my drawer so Frankie could put the rest of her stuff away.

She gave me a hug. “You’re the best, Angel. Thanks so much.”

“Are you ready for lunch now?” I asked.

“Yes. I’m starving. Is it time?”

“We’re five minutes late, and we still have to find the cafeteria. It’s a good thing we’ve got a map.”

“Okay, let’s go.”

We followed the map down two flights of stairs. The cafeteria was in the building in the left wing. Calling the place a cafeteria was a stretch. It was more like a large café with a one-person serving staff and a few round tables that sat about four. Wally already sat at one of the tables, talking with two guys I didn’t know. A third guy sat alone at a table with his back to us. A pretty blonde girl with long legs sat at a table with Wally. He seemed relieved to see Frankie and me and nearly leaped out of his chair to greet us.

“Angel, Frankie, you’re here. Come meet everybody.”

One of the guys sitting with Wally unfolded from the table. He was huge, maybe six foot four, with deep-brown skin, muscular biceps, and brown hair cut nearly to the scalp. Being five foot three, I had to look up…a lot.

“Hi, I’m Bo Coleman,” he said gruffly, sticking out a hand and shaking hands first with Frankie.

His hand completely swallowed hers up. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m Frances Chang, but please call me Frankie. This is my best friend, Angel Sinclair.”

“Angel?” he turned to me. “That’s your name?”

“Wait.You’rea nominee?” I blurted out.

“I am.” He grinned. “Why do you look so surprised?”

“Because you don’t look like a kid. You’re so…” I let the sentence trail off.

“Handsome?” he filled in for me. “Buff?”

“Tall and muscular. I mean…how old are you?”

Frankie elbowed me, probably thinking I was being rude, but Bo didn’t seem to mind. “Eighteen. And you?”

“Sixteen.” It was a lie since technically my birthday was in a couple of weeks, but both Frankie and Wally wisely kept their mouths shut.

“Seriously?” He laughed. “They’re starting them younger every year.”

I might have been offended, except he had a kind twinkle in his eyes that put me at ease. He returned to the table, picked up one of the three hamburgers on his plate, and resumed eating.

The blonde next to Wally didn’t stand, but she lifted her hand, acknowledging us. “I’m Kira Romanova from Ontario, California. Before you ask, I’m seventeen.”

“I thought Ontario was in Canada,” Frankie said with a grin. She walked over and pumped Kira’s hand like they were long-lost buddies. Frankie was the friendliest and nicest person I’d ever met, and it was all genuine.

“I’m really excited to meet you, Kira,” Frankie gushed. “We’re going to be roommates. It’ll be so much fun.”

Kira carefully withdrew her hand, looking a bit freaked out. Thankfully, Frankie didn’t notice, because she was already focused on the guy sitting next to Bo.