The Similars (The Similars #1)(54)

On the walk back to campus, I can think of nothing except the police twisting my words. They weren’t interested in the truth, only in the holes they could poke in my story. It’s so frustrating, especially because I know that, based on the facts, he couldn’t have done it.

By the time I reach the main campus, I’ve missed breakfast. I’m ragged, dragging my feet through the morning routine and my first three classes. By midday, I’m starving. I practically burst through the doors of the dining hall. I don’t care what they’re serving, I’ll eat it.

The cafeteria is uncharacteristically silent. There’s no bustle, no gossiping. Every single student has their eyes glued to the Similars. They’re huddled at the side of the room with three police officers. Two questioned me a few hours ago, but the third I don’t recognize. I can’t tell if the officers are trying to make a show of it, but their conversation is center stage.

“Levi Gravelle,” says the male officer who interrogated me. “New information has been brought to light in the attempted murder of Prudence Stanwick, and we have permission to escort you back to the police station for questioning.”

My breath catches in my throat. New information? Is this because of what I told the officers this morning? What have I done?

Whispers ripple through the room. My classmates are saying Levi must be a suspect, that the police must believe he did it. I search Levi’s face for some sign that he’s okay or some sign that he isn’t—but his face is blank. Pippa and Theodora stand by his side, their faces betraying their worry. Jago and Ansel confer quietly with each other, while Maude stands silently behind them, her arms crossed over her chest.

“You have the right to call an attorney and to have an attorney and your legal guardian present during questioning,” the cop continues.

Cold air floods in as the door by me opens. “Is this really necessary?” bellows a voice, and everyone turns to see Headmaster Ransom charge in, his silver hair standing up on end, his tie crooked.

“Evidence suggests that Ms. Stanwick’s injuries were not the result of an accident,” says the female officer. “Mr. Gravelle was present at the time of the attack.”

So was I! I want to shout out, but they don’t think I did it. And they’re right. But neither did Levi, I tell myself.

“Are you arresting me?” Levi asks.

“No,” answers the female cop.

Theodora inserts herself into the conversation. “Then he doesn’t have to go with you.”

“He doesn’t,” the female cop agrees. “But things will go a lot more smoothly if he cooperates.”

“He needs a lawyer,” Theodora insists. She turns to Levi, grabbing him and whispering something in his ear.

Levi runs a hand through his hair. “I’ll go,” he says to the officers. “But Theodora’s right. I won’t talk until I have a lawyer present.”

“Our guardian will call one,” Theodora announces.

“One of us should go with you,” Maude says.

“No,” says Levi quickly. Then he says something in a language I don’t understand but the other Similars do. Probably Portuguese again. All I can make out is the name of their guardian. Gravelle.

“What are we waiting for, then?” Levi addresses the officers. “Let’s go. I’d prefer not to miss all of my afternoon classes.”

The police officers guide Levi across the dining hall to the double doors where I am standing. My heart jackhammers in my chest as they approach. I try to make eye contact with Levi, but he doesn’t look at me, just stares straight ahead. It’s not until he’s about three feet from me that his eyes meet mine—those gray eyes I’ve tried for months to interpret, like some sort of ancient rune. The look between us is brief. I try to tell him that it’s going to be okay. That I’m sorry. That I know he didn’t do it. An instant later, the officers steer Levi past me, and he’s gone.

Within moments, the entire room is abuzz. One of our own—one of the Ten, no less—is a suspect in an attempted murder case. I hear my classmates going back to eating, gossiping, and speculating over their lunches, their voices drenched in shock and judgment. But I’m frozen by the door. My stomach churns. There’s no way I can eat lunch now.

Headmaster Ransom strides toward the exit. “Sir,” I say hoarsely.

He stops to survey me, his face giving away no emotion. “Yes, Emmaline?”

“What happened? Last night, you told me to stop thinking about it. About who might have attacked Prudence…”

“I did, didn’t I?”

I find the lack of emotion in his voice troubling. “Then what, why—?”

“After you left,” Ransom says, “I could not deny that there was, in fact, an opportunity for Levi to have attacked Prudence. I placed a call to the police this morning, suggesting that they question you. You understand, of course. I have the safety of my students to consider. Don’t blame yourself, Ms. Chance. You came to me because you care. So do I. About Prudence, and the entire student body. Now, if you’ll excuse me…”

He walks off, leaving me standing there watching his retreating form.





Properties


No one talks about anything except Levi for the rest of the day. When I spot Madison in the dining hall that evening handing out fresh new DAAM flyers, I make a mental note to find some proof that she did this to Pru, as soon as humanly possible.