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“Why didn’t you say so?”

“Because you were too busy watching Bash.” She says his name like he’s something stuck on her shoe. Not that she has shoes. I need to stop with the analogies that don’t work here.

“What’s wrong with him?” Other than the fact that he can’t stand me.

“Those guys are total troublemakers.” We come to our floor and I follow her to our suite.

A girl with auburn hair makes a tsk sound, arching her eyebrows at us.

“We’re on time, Oceana,” Halen quips. “And besides, it’s her first day. She deserves a break.”

“Do you?”

“Yes, because I’ve been showing her around.” Halen yanks me into our room. “We have just a few minutes to get into bed when …” Her voice trails off.

“What?” I join her in the room.

It’s been completely redone. My half is now filled with things. The shared areas have been redecorated. The whole suite looks like a page from a super fancy magazine.

She turns to me. “Is this what you’ve been doing?”

I shake my head. “I had nothing to do with this.”

“Your parents must’ve sent all this over.” Halen goes over to the new couch and runs her hands over it. “Oh, feel this!” She flings herself onto it and rolls around.

I close the door behind me and feel the fabric. It’s soft, but not like Bash’s skin.

Why do I keep thinking about him? I need to quit! He’s obviously with that singer. The way they were looking at each other showed what a deep connection they clearly have. Not to mention the fact that he doesn’t like me any more than anyone else around here. And I’m leaving soon.

“You’re not impressed?” Halen pouts.

“I am.” I sit on the couch and pull a lavender blanket over myself. “I’m just trying to take it all in.”

“Remind me to thank your mom the next time I see her.”

“Sure.”

Knock, knock!

Halen’s eyes nearly pop out of her sockets. “Quick! Get into bed!”

“What?”

“Now!” She swims across the room at lightning speed.

A key sounds in the doorknob.

My pulse pounds, and I fling myself across the room and yank the blankets up and climb under them.

The door opens, and Oceana pokes her head in. “Glad you’re in bed, but don’t forget lights out.”

Halen aims a remote at the wall switch and the room goes dark.

“Nighty-night.” Oceana disappears and closes the door.

“Who is she?” I ask. “Our dorm mother?”

“Basically. She’s the PA.”