Garrett looks at me, but I’m busy staring at the bank of security televisions that I can see inside the guardhouse. They all appear to be for protecting the perimeter of the school, not for monitoring activity within the fence.
“Name?” the guard says again.
“Monroe,” Garrett finally answers.
“Sorry,” I say quietly. “Is that fence electric?”
Apparently the guard has very good hearing because he replies, “You already planning your escape?”
“Uh, no, I just wondered.”
“It is electric,” he says. He stands up straighter. “We have a senator’s son here this year. We take security very seriously.”
“Excellent,” Garrett replies. I can tell he’s ready to get on with it.
As we’re waiting for the gate to open, he says, “I personally picked out your dorm room. It’s on the first floor, backside of the building, next to the fire exit. Don’t change rooms with anyone. You have multiple escape routes from that room. The window, the fire exit, and the main hallway. It’s also next door to the boy’s dorm that I’m told houses many of the male athletes. It should be the first place you run to if you’re in danger, okay?”
“Okay.”
He grins at me. “It’s also been newly remodeled, has it’s own bathroom, and a small walk-in closet.”
“You’re a man after my own heart, Garrett,” I laugh. But then I say seriously, “Thank you. Really. For all you’ve done.”
The big gate opens, and we drive through. The road winds through some trees and then you see it. All sprawled out like a college campus. We pass a golf course and athletic fields. Farther up the hill is a large field house, recreational facility, tennis courts, and more playing fields. We pass brick colonial homes that I know are the dorms. Beyond that I can see the big pillar-fronted library, a chapel, and classroom buildings. We stop in front of a modern glass building with a discreet sign that says, J. Huffington Social Center.
“This is it,” Garrett says. “Your new home. It’s pretty great, isn’t it?”
“It’s beautiful.”
My door is opened by a very cute guy with adorable freckles and really nice shoulders. He’s wearing a red polo shirt with a cougar embroidered on it.
“Welcome to Eastbrooke. Name?” he says without even bothering to look at me.
I slide my legs out of the car and notice that all of a sudden he’s looking at me. Well, looking at my legs anyway. “I’m Keatyn Monroe.”
He gives me a crooked grin. “Monroe. Very nice to meet you.” He reaches out to shake my hand.
“Nice to meet you too. You always so formal here?”
He chuckles and points to his shirt. Under the cougar are the words, Senior Prefect.
I laugh. “What is this, Hogwarts?”
Garrett pops the trunk, and I walk around to retrieve my bags.
When we’re standing by the trunk, he whispers to me. “Prefect means I have to be on my best behavior.”
“Does that mean you usually misbehave?”
“You know it.” His arm muscles flex as he pulls my bags out of the trunk. “I’m in charge of getting these to your room.”
“And what am I in charge of?”
“You, Monroe, need to check in at that table over there. Cute boots. Where are you from?”
“California.”
He nods his head like that explains it all. “I’m Jake, by the way.”
I watch Garrett and my old life pull away, turn around, and walk to the check-in table. I get a big packet of information and am told to head to the small gym for New Student Orientation.
I glance at my phone and see I have a few minutes to spare, so I walk down the wide pathway and take it all in.
My first thought it that the campus is even prettier than the pictures.
All the trees look like they’re just on the verge of changing to their brilliant fall colors. I can picture the grounds covered in snow and feel a twinge of excitement at the prospect of spending a winter here. Getting to see snow every day, not just for a week of skiing in St. Moritz.
I glance around and don’t see anyone who looks remotely like Vincent.
There are no memories of him anywhere.
I take a deep breath.
I’m standing on a sidewalk in the middle of a campus where nothing is familiar, but I feel like I’ve come home.
Like I belong here.
And for the first time in days, I feel safe.
Kiki is a stripper name.
3:45pm
I remind myself of my new name and check in at New Student Orientation.
New Student Orientation is mostly for incoming freshman, but all new students have to go through it. I hope I’m not the only new upperclassman here—but, I guess, worst case scenario is that I meet a few freshman.