I glanced around, my trepidation at being alone at night back in force. “Yeah, well, I have to get back to the cafeteria. They’re expecting me. It was nice meeting you.” I paused when he didn’t move out of my way. “Be careful about security. They aren’t messing around.”
The reference to patrols seemed to get through to him, and he stepped aside. “Don’t let me keep you.” He smirked again. “Hey, you want a ride? My hog’s got plenty of room.”
“Um, no thanks. See you around.”
His eyes lingered on me. “Hope so, Lacey.”
I hurried away, half expecting to hear gravel crunching under his boots as he followed me. The way he said my name somehow managed to make it sound obscene. When I turned a bend in the trail and saw the road ahead, I exhaled a loud sigh of relief, but I didn’t slow. Something about Victor had left me unsettled, even though the moment had passed.
The sound of the Harley sputtering to life reached me from down the trail, and I broke into a jog as I hit the road, the lights of the dorm in the distance the only warmth in the darkness. The motorcycle roared from the trail and took off in the opposite direction. I twisted to look and caught the glow of the bike’s taillight as it disappeared around a curve. I broke into a run, not slowing until the dorms rose in front of me, the area silent except for the sound of my Docs pounding a frantic tattoo.
Chapter 10
The following day was a lecture for the entire class, in keeping with the academy’s approach of running the first year like we were some prestigious university, and I didn’t get a chance to talk to Robert until the bell had sounded. He greeted Kate and me with a welcoming smile when we approached him.
“How are you two doing?” he asked.
“Great,” Kate said.
“You more rested today?” he asked me.
“Yeah. A lot more.” I hesitated. “I met your brother yesterday.”
“Victor? Really?” His brow furrowed. “He, uh, he didn’t…bother you, did he?”
“No. Nothing like that.” I paused again. “He doesn’t really look much like you.”
“Genetics can be tricky that way. We’re not much alike in the personality department, either.”
“I kind of got that.”
Robert checked his watch. “He just hit town yesterday. Came north to visit for a little while.”
“Is he staying with you?” Kate asked.
Robert shook his head. “My place is cramped if I take my shoes off. There’s no room for guests.” He offered another smile, this one somewhat pained. “Well, ladies, I’ve got to run. Next class, and all.”
“Oh, sure,” Kate said. “Maybe we’ll see you at lunch?”
“Maybe,” he said, glancing at me.
He hurried away, and Kate turned to me with a somewhat troubled expression. “Do you think he…he even likes me at all? At first I thought he did, but… He was just the same to you.”
“We’re in his class, Kate. Come on. He has to treat everyone the same.”
She shook her head. “I don’t know. It’s just that, well, sometimes I get this vibe…”
“You got it from Jared backstage, too, and we know how that turned out,” I said, trying not to sound bitter.
“I still don’t understand that one. You sure you didn’t misread him at the shoot?”
“Pretty hard to, Kate. He couldn’t be less interested. Which is okay. I’m not either.”
I avoided meeting her eyes when she threw me a knowing look. “Yeah. I can tell by the way you’re using his jacket for a pillow.”
It was my turn to shrug. “I didn’t say I disliked his jacket. It’s butter soft.”
“That must be it. I’ll have to take a nap with it soon and see how I like it.”
I flushed, but merely smiled. “I’m off to computer science. See you around.”
My day crawled along at snail speed, and I found myself struggling to stay awake during my last class. I stopped at the cafeteria and bought a jumbo cup of coffee, which I guzzled on my way to the dorm. It perked me up, and I spent the hours before I was to report to the set going over my psychology homework, which I still hadn’t completely caught up on in spite of Robert’s notes.
Serena came in, looking studious as ever, as I was putting my books away.
“Hey. Where’ve you been?” I asked, making an effort to be friendly.
“In the library. It’s easier to study there than with Sarah bouncing off the walls here.”
“I haven’t really seen her much.”
“Because she’s laying the groundwork for her social life for the next year. She told me her goal is to be invited to every party on campus, and she’s well on her way.”
I slipped into the bathroom for a quick shower. When I was done, I checked myself in the mirror, adjusted my top and my hair, and after waving at Serena, headed off to the set.
The last of the light was fading from the western sky as I picked my way along the path to the auditorium. When I arrived, the catering vans hadn’t shown up yet, and Oscar was pacing by the camera, frowning and looking up at the clouds periodically. The air felt leaden, like it might rain, and it occurred to me that a storm could set filming back significantly. I looked around the area for any sign of Jared or his co-stars but didn’t see anyone but crew.
Not having anything to do until the food and drink arrived, I tried to be as inconspicuous as possible, remaining by the makeup trailer and watching the activity. Trent and Alfred materialized from behind one of the trucks, Alfred with
