“Hey,” Sophie said as she caught up with Marella in the Level Three atrium. The locker-lined quad was humongous, decorated with glittering crystal trees and a giant mastodon statue in the center. But it felt strangely small when Marella didn’t smile back at her. “You okay?” Sophie asked. “I couldn’t find you at orientation.” Marella said nothing as she licked the sensor to open her locker, waiting until she’d grabbed all her books before she mumbled, “I’m surprised you noticed I was gone.” “Why wouldn’t I?” “No reason.” Marella tossed the tiny braids she’d woven into her hair as she turned to
...more
