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I turned around and barely had time to catch my breath before Josh Hollis barreled into ht off my feet

"Hi!" I breathed I clung to him Buried my face in that warm spot between his neck and his shoulder He sreens and fresh paint God, this felt good This relief Like co home Josh was my home Not Martha's Vineyard Not Croton, Pennsylvania Not Easton itself But Josh I hadn't seen him since the last day of school in June, and while the su without him, suddenly it felt as if no ti back to plant a firled Reed Brennan didn't giggle Not often, anyway Josh tried to put hing His face hovered over reen eyes danced with happiness His dark blond curls had been cropped close to his head in a neat, preppy cut, but one stray curl still stuck out behind his right ear, unwilling to conforht there in the " My heart skipped a beat "Could be"

He glanced around quickly, checking for authority figures Then, coast clear, he leaned in to kiss me, really kiss me, while his teas behind us When Josh pulled back again, he ran the tip of his finger from my temple to my chin He was breathless "Next su"

TRADITION, HONOR, INTIMIDATION

I smiled, utterly and completely at peace "Yes Let's not" "Reed!" Constance Talbot threw her arms around me before I could even stand up froether, and she winced as she dropped her butt down onto the hard seat "Ow Sorry Got a little overexcited there," she said, rubbing furiously at her forehead She was sun-kissed pink under all those freckles, and somehow over the summer she had taht picture of perfection She wore a white T-shirt and a big gray cable-knit cardigan over a plaid lass s danced across her face "It's okay You look ahtener that is a gift fro mane over her shoulder "But you are, like, a surf babe! I would kill to be able to tan like that!" "It comes from my mom's side She's half Native American," I said

"How cool! I never knew that!" Constance blurted Then her brow creased "Actually, I know nothing about your fareed But that, like ed "So, hoas your su, so I knew exactly how her months off had been, but still felt the need to ask Her family had vacationed with Walt Whittaker's fahts stealing away to the beach orout on the alk at his family's compound while the waves crashed into the shore Constance could be very poetic via e-uess I didn't get an invitation to Billings" I blinked as the chatter in the chapel grew to an al to fill up "That's right I forgot about that " Every spring the girls in Billings selected new s alu us that it would be inappropriate to hold a vote and issue invitations that year, considering all that had happened That meant there were still six empty spots in the house And I had no idea how anyone intended to fill theuess I'ot in? You can tell otten in We haven't had a vote or anything I guess I'll find out what's going on later Maybe you still have a chance," I told her

"You think?" Constance's eyes widened with hope, and I instantly regretted saying anything Now she was going to be crushed all over again if she didn't get in "But don't freak out until I find out what's up," I warned her "Honestly, after last year, I's anymore," I added Not only was it partially true, but it would also give her so to rationalize on later if she didn't make the cut "Oh, please That? Not even a s House," she blurted Then slapped her hand over hera sht If Thouilt--andeffect on anything The idea made my insides squirm

"No, really I can't believe I said that," Constance continued "You must think I' cut her off, and the crowd fell silent I was saved fro to comfort Constance any further for her verbal voe ht brown skin and long black hair slid into the last seat at the far end of the pew She looked around uncertainly, then hugged her sheer turquoise wrap to her With her gold braided thongs, skimpy dress, and dewy skin, she looked as if she'd just stepped off a plane froht into the chapel She had to be new Anyone who'd ever been in the Easton chapel before knew that even on the hottest days it was frigid in here We'd all coirl oose bumps

"Check out Miss Island Nation," Missy Thurber sneered behind

the tightest T-shirt possible, all the better to show off her massive chest, and her blond hair was done in a perfect French braid Not perfect enough to distract fro shells for earrings?" Lorna Gross--Missy's ever- present worshipper--whispered back Lorna was not doith originality Every day, she donned almost the exact same outfit Missy had worn the day before Like, in case you ever ue" fashion choices, you had a second chance to check it out on Lorna the followingApparently yesterday Missy had worn a black jersey dress and dias, because that hat Lorna had on today I rolledsmile Unfortunately, she didn't seethe lanterns at the front of the chapel The new-year ritual had begun

There was a loud rap on the chapel doors A tall man hite hair and a full square face stood up fro about him was stiff and pressed, froht cuffs on his gray suit pants There was an A lapel pin tacked to his red power tie He reuished family patriarch from the low-rent soap opera Natasha's little sister had been addicted to all su on around him, and approved of none of it Whispers filled the room "Guess that's the new headmaster," I whispered to Constance "Headmaster Cromwell," she confiro"

An EastonMy eyes were riveted on the headht down at his sides like one of the Queen's guard He didn't look left or right Felt no need to check out his new charges He stopped at the door and spoke "Who requests entrance to this sacred place?" he asked "Eager e," came the reply "Then you are welcome," he said The doors opened, and in walked Cheyenne Martin and Lance Beagan, the sunlight pouring in behind them This was the first I had seen of my housemate Cheyenne, and I was stunned by how beautiful she looked Her blond hair had been cut into a pin-straight chin- length bob, and her skin was pale, smooth, and flawless She wore just a hint of makeup--pink cheeks, pink lips, curled lashes--and looked every bit the preppy trust fund princess in her full-skirted dress and cropped cardigan She and Lance kept their eyes trained on the lectern as they carried the traditional tomes up the aisle As Cheyenne walked by the senior boys, I noticed Trey Prescott, handsome as ever in a crisp white shirt that set off his dark skin, staring straight ahead Not so lance in Cheyenne's direction I could practically feel the chill co off him Guess that relationship hadn't survived the summer Cheyenne and Lance placed their books down on the lectern "Tradition, honor, excellence," they said in unison "Tradition, honor, excellence," we intoned, our voices filling the chapel The doors were closed again, and Headmaster Cromalked down the aisle and took his place at the lectern He took a long moment to survey the rows and rows of pews, the expectantly upturned faces Froht sneer on his lips, he didn't seem all that impressed

"Welcome, students, to a new year at Easton Academy I a "I am honored to have been chosen by the Easton Academy board of directors to take the helm and help usher you all into a new era As of today, we put the past behind us As of today, we are no longer a coedy We have all had our time to heal, and it is now that we ht with hope, with integrity, with knowledge, and with respect" Constance and I shared an ilance "With this inother than the absolute best from the students of this academy I will not brook insolence from my students I will not tolerate indiscretion or immaturity I will not allow any behavior whatsoever that could reflect negatively on this school Hear e"