Page 25 of I Don't Need Your Protection

“You look beautiful!” Sophie gushes.

“Thanks.” She looks over her shoulder and calls out, “Carly, let’s get moving before everyone steals the best games. You have time to discover Addie’s never-ending paradise of clothes later.”

“Just a second! I’m torn between two jeans.”

After a few minutes, she finally walks out of the closet in a cute shirt and jeans that look so frickin’ amazing on her.

“Addie, I can kiss you right now.” She stands before my full-length mirror and turns in different directions as she examines herself. “How do I look like I just fell off a runway?”

“Oh my gosh, you both look so gorgeous,” Sophie says.

“Thanks. Are we ready to go?” Carly asks.

As soon as I open the door, my eyes immediately scan the area for Caleb. There are many students flitting about, but I don’t see him anywhere. I can feel his presence, though. He’s probably hiding behind a statue or plant or in a darkened area.

“What are we looking at?” Carly asks as she sticks out her head.

“Bugs?” Sophie sticks out her head, too. “There are no bugs in here. Or mice. Well, other than the time when this girl called Henrietta claimed she saw a mouse.”

“That was just an excuse to get out of the test she forgot to study for.” Raven also sticks her head out. “So what exactly are we looking at?”

I notice a shadow down the hallway. It’s definitely Caleb. I know I’m not supposed to feel bad because this is his job, but he’s just a kid like me. Why can’t he live a normal teen life?

“Addie?” Carly asks.

“Sorry. I was just curious what the students do after classes. Do most go out?”

“Some,” Raven says as we leave my room and I close the door. “Some do homework, some hang out in their rooms. Some just hang out around campus.”

Since Sophie has tutoring, she tells us she’ll catch us later—reminding me not to forget we’re meeting up later—and heads up the stairs to the student’s room.

As the rest of us walk down the hallway, I see the shadow move. And when we’re at the exit, I peek behind me long enough to spot Caleb trying to sift through the throng of students to keep up with us. I turn around and pretend not to see him, because that’s what he wants me to do. I’m not supposed to draw attention to him.

Carly and Raven lead me out of our dorm and toward the rec room building. I assumed the place would be packed with students fighting over the TV and games, but it’s pretty empty.

“Do kids here not like recreational activities?” I ask as we enter the room.

“Usually the kids who drive go out to more exciting places than stay here,” Raven explains as she drops down on one of the black sofas. “Other kids prefer to game or watch TV in their rooms. But when it rains? The place is packed.”

I sit down next to her and gasp in surprise when I nearlysink into the sofa. “Oh, wow. This thing is so soft and comfy.”

“Yay! They fixed it.” Carly rushes over to a dance machine. “No way! They got the latest version. Oh my gosh, I thought I would have to go to the arcade to play this.” She spins around and faces us. “Who wants to challenge me? Ladies and ladies, I call for a challenger! Oh come on, is everyone too chicken to take on the great and mighty Dance Queen Carly?”

“You know you’ll whip our butts,” Raven says. “Well, mine. I don’t know how good of a dancer you are, Addie.”

“Uh…I’m not the best, but I guess I’m okay.”

Raven grabs one of the video game controllers. “I asked the school yesterday to buy the latestZeldagame…aha, yes!”

“Addie, want a dance-off?” Carly asks.

“What does the winner get?” I ask.

“Bragging rights?”

“Is that all?”

“Want my chocolate stash?” she offers.