Night School

Six delicately carved pillars supported the vivid roof. She climbed up the steps into the shady, open air interior, where a stone banister and benches circled the edges. Sitting down on the cool seat she rested her chin on her arm as she looked out into the woods. Carter was nowhere to be seen.

What was he going on about? Was it just jealousy? Or was he serious?

He sounded serious.

She tried to think of anything Sylvain had done to make her doubt him. He’d always been there for her when she was in trouble. He’d protected her from Zelazny. Yes, he was slick, and yes, apparently he was super-rich, but he didn’t act like a snob. He seemed kind. Carter on the other hand had been difficult, pushy, judgmental and threatening.

It was obvious who she should trust.

I just don’t understand why Carter cares so much.

That night at dinner, when Allie arrived at the table Jo, Lisa and Ruth were talking animatedly in low voices.

‘You have to do it, Lisa,’ Jo said. ‘It’s tradition.’

‘I’m going to do it, and you know I hate this sort of thing,’ Ruth said.

Clearly reluctant, Lisa stirred food around her plate, her long, straight hair swinging forward around her face. ‘I don’t know. It’s just a bit weird.’

‘What’s weird?’ Allie asked pulling up a chair. ‘What’s for dinner tonight? I hope it’s lasagne.’

‘The Summer Splash!’ Jo’s eyes were bright with enthusiasm. ‘It’s always the night before the summer ball, and Lisa doesn’t want to do it. But she has to. And I thought you were only eating salad.’

‘Oh balls,’ Allie said. ‘I’d forgotten about the salad thing. And what the hell’s a Summer Splash?’

She poured herself a glass of water from the jug on the table.

‘Oh, crikey. I completely forgot to tell you about it.’ Jo let go of Lisa’s arm and turned to Allie. ‘It’s a tradition. Sixth formers sneak out at midnight the night before the ball and go swimming in the pond.’

Puzzled, Allie looked at Lisa. ‘What’s wrong with that? Can’t you swim?’

Raising her chin, Lisa shot an accusing look at Jo. ‘Not just swimming. Tell her the whole truth.’

Jo rolled her eyes. ‘OK, fine. Skinny-dipping. Must you be such a prude, Lisa? It’s going to be awesome!’

Allie choked on her water. ‘What? All of us? Guys and girls? Naked?’

Ruth pounded her on the back.

‘It’s dark, Allie.’ Jo was beginning to sound exasperated. ‘And it’s no big deal. You just dive in and then jump out and put your clothes back on. It’s not a porn movie. It’s good, clean, wholesome fun and it’s a tradition and you have to do it because I don’t want to do it alone.’

Allie leaned towards her. ‘Let me make sure I’m getting this – you, me, Ruth, Lisa, our dates for Friday night and a bunch of strangers are going to get naked in a pond. Together. For fun.’

‘Exactly!’ Jo said brightly. ‘And we’re all going to be there, right?’

Lisa looked nauseous.

‘Surely Allie’s not invited.’ Katie stood by their table, as beautiful as ever. ‘She’s too new. This is for Cimmeria students.’

‘Oh bugger off, Katie. Seriously.’ Jo glared at her.

Katie stood her ground. ‘I’m serious, Jo. I really don’t think it’s fair. I’m going to speak with Jules about it.’

‘You can’t speak with Jules about it you moron,’ Jo said. ‘It’s unofficial. She can’t do anything about it.’

‘Jo,’ Allie said, her jaw set, ‘when did you say this splash thing happens?’

‘Midnight Thursday,’ Jo said with a wicked glint in her eye.

‘Great. I’ll be there.’

Katie gave her a chilling look. ‘If you do this, Allie, then don’t go crying to Isabelle if anything happens. Just remember I warned you.’

As Katie walked away Allie muttered under her breath: ‘Yeah, and you care because you’re my best friend, Katie.’

Jo snickered. ‘Forget her. I’m glad you’re going to do it. I’ve been looking forward to this since I got to Cimmeria. If Lisa and Ruth come too we can just all do it together, and it will be even better.’

Looking miserable, Lisa stared at her empty plate. Allie smiled at Jo, but her heart sank. Already she regretted her rashness in agreeing to go. Still. How bad could it be?

‘But how do we get out of the school without getting caught?’ she asked. ‘I mean, do the teachers just let you go and dive naked into a lake in the dark?’

Jo’s face told her the answer before she said a word. ‘They do whatever they can to stop us. I mean, imagine the wrath of parents if one of us got hurt.’ She smiled cheerfully. ‘Getting out is half the fun.’

As the kitchen doors opened and the staff walked in carrying platters of lasagne, Allie groaned. ‘I’m not sure which is worse, being forced to skip lasagne, or swimming naked with Katie Gilmore.’

‘Gabe and I have a plan for getting out,’ Jo said. ‘Let’s talk about it after dinner. Come to my room at eight and we’ll plot.’ She began filling her plate with salad. ‘I love plotting.’