stay away from the investigation of Professor Rook’s death.
Skimming over the files, I begin to notice a pattern. Beside a good number of the names, there’s a small dot. Looking over the names, I tally them up in my head. Looks like my sister was right. The students whose files are marked with a dot are those who had purchased drugs from Rook. Rhiannon’s name is accompanied by a dot. So is mine.
“So many,” Ricardo says, frowning.
“Let’s just take the photos and get out of here.” Whipping my phone out of my pocket, I take a photo. The shutter sound is amplified by the quiet, reverberating through the room. I go still, praying no one heard it.
Crap. Footsteps sound at the end of the hall.
Ricardo makes a “hurry up” motion with one hand, and I flip through the rest of the files as quickly and quietly as I can, capturing the rest of the photos I need with a silent phone. I take Ricardo’s extended hand, and he helps me stand.
“Let’s go,” he mouths, gliding toward the door. But when he peeks out, he quickly withdraws his head back into the classroom. Oddly, he’s smiling.
“What’s so funny?” I whisper.
“This is the second time I’ve hidden in this very room after breaking into that desk.”
“It’s not funny,” I mouth, worry edging my words. “If we get caught in here…”
In the hallway, the security guard draws closer, and pauses.
My breath hitches as I press against Ricardo’s side, hoping the guard doesn’t take more than a cursory glance into the room. I scan the room, looking for signs that we’ve been here. The throbbing in my chest is so loud, I’m positive it’s audible. The desk drawer, I left it open.
“If the two of you wanted to be alone, there are better places for it.”
I jump nearly out of my skin before I recognize the voice. It’s Mikhail standing in the doorway, the hint of a smile warming his expression.
Ricardo busts up laughing. “Your face.” He tries to imitate me, and doubles over, clutching his stomach.
“You saw who it was!” My body heats with embarrassment as I shove Ricardo away from me.
“It was worth it,” Ricardo gasps between guffaws.
Ignoring him, I face Mikhail. “What are you doing down here? Aren’t you off duty?”
Mikhail shrugs. “Adrienne has banished me from the kitchen. I believe she is planning something for Valentine’s Day tomorrow. She does not know I have something for her as well.” He pats the pocket of his suit jacket.
Intrigued, I move closer. “Show me!”
Finally done laughing, Ricardo sidles up next to me and slings an arm around my waist. I peel him off, but I can’t hold a mad face. He did get me pretty good. When he snakes his arm around me again, I let it be.
Mikhail pulls a small, black velvet box out and hands it to me. Inside are two shiny moss green stud earrings. Agate, I’m guessing. It’s not a super expensive stone, but the color is perfect for Adrienne. “She’s going to love these,” I whisper, closing the box gently and handing it back to Mikhail.
“I am glad you approve.” So saying, he tucks the box away for safe keeping.
Ricardo leans his head against mine, a surprisingly tender gesture. “Don’t get any ideas, mon coeur. We’re not to the jewelry stage. Yet.”
Now it’s Saturday afternoon and Adrienne, Genevieve, and I are in one of the community bathrooms getting ready to go swing dancing. The dormitory is decorated with glittery pink and red streamers, and Ms. Poppin left a small treat at each of our doors. Mine was my favorite candy bar, and I ate it immediately.
There’s been a flurry of activity in our dorm all afternoon as girls got ready for their hot dates in honor of Saint Valentine. Gul came by our room just to show us the outfit she chose for her surprise date with Grady. She grinned as she told us that he hadn’t given her any hints as to where they were going. Then she was gone, eyes sparkling as she strutted down the stairs to meet him.
Looking at my friend in the mirror, I concede that she was right; we all need this break from the academy. There’s way too much pressure within these walls, what with Professor Rook’s death still unsolved, my attacker being on the loose, and the possibility of running into Kenneth or Mrs. LaGuerre around every corner.
I’m standing in front of the gilded mirror in our community bathroom,