Night School: Resistance (Night School 4)

Everything finally made sense.

All this time she’d been wondering why everything at Cimmeria was so weird. Now she felt like she understood what was going on. Everyone was putting on a show for the spy. The whole school was basically in disguise, while a small group of select people knew the truth about everything.

And she was about to join them.

She searched the common room and library before thinking to try outside. She found Zoe, Nicole and Carter lounging together on the front lawn.

When she saw Carter, Allie’s heart gave a traitorous jump. She could have kicked it.

‘Hey,’ she said, walking up. ‘You guys couldn’t mention the secret meeting thing at some point?’

Her voice was louder than she’d intended and they all looked up at her in alarm.

‘Shhh!’ Zoe raised her finger to her lips and shot her a withering look.

Wincing, Allie held up her hands.

‘Sorry.’ She sat down next to them and lowered her voice to a whisper. ‘Why are you all sitting here? Why don’t we just go?’

She gestured in the direction of the path that led through the trees to the chapel.

‘We have to go in small groups,’ Nicole explained sotto voce. ‘One or two at a time so the teachers don’t notice. The guards provide cover but we have to be cautious.’ She gave a shrug. ‘We’re very good at it now. It’s easy. Just … do what we do.’

Not for the first time Allie felt like an outsider at her own school. They’d all worked out this system while she was gone. They all knew the new Rules. And she didn’t.

Zoe and Nicole began to chat about something that had happened in one of their classes. Allie looked over to find Carter watching her. His dark eyes were enigmatic as ever but something about his expression told her he understood how she felt.

‘You ready for this?’ he asked.

‘Until twenty minutes ago I didn’t know this existed. So … no,’ she said. ‘But I’m not going to let that stop me.’

His lips twitched upwards and he nodded, looking off into the trees. ‘That’s my girl.’

His words made her breath catch in her throat. She dropped her gaze and ordered herself not to be stupid.

That’s my girl… It was just a throwaway comment – he hadn’t meant anything by it.

So why did it make her feel so wistful? The storm clouds Allie had noticed when she was talking to Rachel earlier that day had now begun to gather in earnest, blocking the sun. The wind began to pick up just as Sylvain arrived to join them.

As he walked up, he glanced at Zoe. ‘Isn’t it time?’

She nodded and climbed to her feet. Then she darted into the woods like a swallow.

Puzzled, Allie watched her small form disappear into the trees.

‘What just happened?’ she asked, looking around the group.

‘She always goes first.’ Sylvain sat on the grass next to her and leaned back as if they were normal students enjoying the last of the good weather before the rains came. ‘She’s the fastest so if there’s any problem she can circle back and let us know. She’s like a scout.’

Nicole smiled indulgently. ‘She loves it.’

After a few minutes, Carter glanced at his watch and shot Sylvain an enquiring look. Sylvain nodded.

‘Our turn,’ he said. He climbed to his feet in one graceful move before reaching down to offer Allie his hand. The rising wind ruffled his tawny hair and he smiled at her with his eyes.

Allie let him pull her up. To her surprise, though, when she was on her feet he didn’t let go of her hand. She couldn’t remember ever holding hands with him before when they weren’t running from something.

His grip was strong and warm – her hand felt good in his.

They’d taken a couple of steps together before she remembered to say goodbye to the others.

She turned to call over her shoulder, ‘See you there, I guess.’

Nicole gave a jaunty wave. ‘Bon voyage …’

Allie let her gaze stray to Carter and her stomach flipped – the storm seemed to be captured in his eyes – he looked tormented.



In the woods, everything was calmer. The light filtered softly through the branches. Sound was muffled – even their footsteps were quieter on the soft dirt of the footpath. The air smelled of cool juniper and rich, damp earth.

Allie walked with her head down. She couldn’t get the look she’d seen on Carter’s face out of her mind. He’d seemed so lonely. So lost.

Was it because of her? Seeing Sylvain hold her hand?

She shook her head to chase the thought away. It couldn’t be. Carter loved Jules. Still, she needed to focus on her boyfriend, who was right here with her.

Luckily, Sylvain was willing to help with that. As soon as they were deep in the woods, he stopped and pulled her close.

‘I can’t believe I haven’t kissed you since last night,’ he murmured, lowering his lips to hers.

The kiss was soft and gentle, filled with promise.

This was real. This was what mattered.