Nightworld Academy: Term One(Nightworld Academy #1)(5)

Oh great, this gets better. "Snoring?"

Jamie hands over my bag and wanders away; I follow Amelia. As I step into the dorm room, I'm relieved that Amelia was right about the size and this isn't an intimate setting. Instead, a bamboo partition divides the room, and two comfy-looking red armchairs and a TV take up the space in the middle. A bathroom leads off to the left. The warm yellow walls are a contrast to the muted colours I’ve seen everywhere else. A large painting of an ocean hangs opposite the large bay window and the place is clean and tidy. I grimace. I’m not clean and tidy; I hope that won’t cause conflict.

Amelia enthusiastically shows me around the shared space, and I smile back politely, head still spinning. Somebody else has fetched up the bedding I brought with me, and the star-covered duvet knots my stomach. This is my room now. No more locking myself away from everybody and ignoring the world.

I squeeze my eyes closed to force back the stupid tears.

"Thanks for welcoming me," I say as I sit in an armchair.

"Of course! I remember being new, and starting a week into term must be daunting."

I wait for the question: ‘why?’ but Amelia gives one of her smiles again. Does she ever stop smiling?

"Dinner is 6:30," she announces as I open my rucksack.

I’d protest that I’m not hungry and could lurk here for the evening, but I doubt she'd allow that. I return her smile, even though my face aches.





Chapter Three





MAEVE



When I walk into the dining room I pause. Where are the chandeliers? The long wooden tables with uniformed kids eating from china plates and drinking from goblets? I’ve seen American high school cafeterias in movies and shows, and this is similar, which is a bizarre contrast to the building I've seen so far. Bright white walls with notices pinned to boards, plastic seats and melamine floors. Sixth formers didn't use the dining area at my old school. We segregated ourselves in the common rooms away from the lesser beings—anybody not in Sixth Form.

I glance around at the pupils surrounding the rectangular white tables. I’d hide behind Amelia but can't, because she’s a good few inches shorter than me.

Jamie waves at us from a table close to the door, where he sits beside a guy who's broader and taller than those around him, with powerful shoulders, and large forearms resting on the table. I saw playing fields on the drive through the grounds, with rugby goals. I'd lay bets that he's on the team.

As I slide into an uncomfortable chair opposite the pair, I take another surreptitious glance around me. Most look ordinary, thankfully, and also don't pay any attention. One group sits apart from the others, and they're an odd mix. Three attractive girls dressed in colourful clothes and covered in jewellery sit beside a guy dressed in black who’s hunched over his phone. Another stocky guy with short red hair lounges back in his seat with a large hand on one of the girl’s legs. They don't pay attention to anybody.

"This is Maeve," announces Amelia to Jamie and his friend, a little too loudly, and we attract attention from a group of burly guys at an adjacent table. One stares at me and I’m unnerved by the amber-flecked brown eyes. Why does he look as if he doesn’t like me? We’ve never met. He glances at the big guy sitting with us and arches a brow.

"Hello, Maeve," says Jamie’s friend.

His formality takes me aback. No laconic "hey" or dismissive nod. His eyes match the guy who looked at me, but he’s better looking by a long way. His face has an unusual symmetry, his brow heavy and his brown hair shorter than Jamie's. There's a confidence in his aura, but with it a friendliness that immediately warms me to him.

"I’m Ash." He smiles and dimples appear. "Welcome to the academy." Ash takes an energy drink can from the table, his hand almost covering the whole thing, and slurps. "You look nervous."

"Of course, she is!" puts in Amelia. "First day at a new school and she's the only new girl this year."

This, I did not want to hear. "Am I?"

"Most students have moved on to the academy from the same high school. But you'll be fine."

"So, everybody here has known each other for years?" My palms sweat and I rub them on my jeans. I should've stayed in my room; I have crisps and chocolate in my bag, they would be enough to stave off hunger.

"Are there many students?" I ask.

"No. This academy is more exclusive, as you know," Jamie replies.

"We’re cream of the crop," says Ash and winks at me.

My mind blanks at his action.

Amelia takes my arm and pulls me to my feet. "Come with me and I'll tell you what's worth eating."

Feeling as if I'm under a spotlight, I allow Amelia to lead me across the floor and I cringe as my shoes squeak. At the opposite side of the room, there's a long serving counter where small glass doors allow students to choose food for their meals. Further along, a bored-looking woman stands over hot metal trays containing more substantial meals. I salivate at the greasy goodness in front of me.

Chips. I'd kill for hot, delicious chips right now.

Taking a juice box, I slide my tray along the space leading through the selections of sandwiches and salads towards the less-healthy food. The young woman behind the serving counter perks up as I say hello and ask for a plateful.