Three

That night, Ava had a hard time falling asleep. When she finally did, she dreamed she was back in school wandering around the cafeteria with her tray because no one would sit with her. She kept shrinking until she was so tiny that Owen could step on her. She awoke with a start and the sickening feeling of having to go to school. But the sun shining through her windows seemed too bright, and when she looked at her alarm clock it was already almost nine. Had her mom let her stay home after all? It seemed unlikely.

She went next door to Jax’s room, expecting to find his shades up and his bed empty, but he was fast asleep too. What was going on? If the power had gone out, the numbers on her clock would be flashing, plus her parents never slept this late.

“Jax!” she said, shaking him.

“Wha—” he said, pushing her hand away.

“It’s nine o’clock!”

He shot upright and stared at his side table. “What happened to my phone?”

“I don’t know,” Ava said.

“I set the alarm! My biology quiz is right now!”

He tore downstairs, his hair standing on end in all directions. Ava raced after him. “Mom! Dad!” he shouted. “Where’s my phone? Why didn’t you wake me?”

Her mom was fully dressed, her hair blow-dried neatly into place, though she had dark circles under her eyes as if she hadn’t slept much. She made no move to get up from the breakfast bar where she was drinking coffee. Even more oddly, Ava’s dad hadn’t left for work.

“What’s going on?” Ava asked.

Her dad handed Jax his phone. “Sit down, kids. We have some good news.”

“It better be good!” Jax said. “I’m missing my first bio quiz!”

“It doesn’t matter,” her mom said calmly.

Ava almost laughed at the way Jax’s eyes bugged out. “Of course, it matters! I need a perfect score on every quiz—”

“You need more of a challenge,” her mom interrupted. “And Ava needs a change of scene. Which is why, after serious consideration, your father and I made an important decision—”

“Your mom made a call early this morning,” her dad said, pausing before he added, “to the Accademia.”

Ava knew her mom had gone to an international boarding school for gifted kids in Venice, Italy. It was called the Accademia del Forte, and Ava had always figured Jax would eventually follow in her mom’s footsteps.

“The Accademia can take you both. Isn’t that great news?” her mom continued. “It’s a classical education, Ava. You’ll study Ancient Greek and Latin and read your beloved myths in their original languages. Venice is the most magical place in the world! It’s made up of all these tiny islands, and there are no cars, just footbridges and boats. The students are gifted kids from all over the world, and the food is incredible. Plus, the school has an Olympic-sized pool—and an excellent swim team. The school year begins next week, so you won’t even miss anything.”

Ava couldn’t believe it: here was her do-over, her second chance! She didn’t even need to hear about the food or the pool or the other students. She’d never have to see Owen again. She could have a fresh start. She could make new friends.

“I’m in!” Ava said. “When do we leave?”

“Hold on,” Jax said, frowning at their mom. “Last year you said I couldn’t apply.”

Her mom shrugged. “I didn’t think Ava was ready.”

“What does Ava have to do with me?”

“I wanted you to start together,” their mom said.

“So now she gets two extra years there?” Jax said. “That’s not fair!”

Ava couldn’t help feeling smug—for once Jax was jealous of her. “Maybe they’re sending me earlier because I’m actually more gifted?”

“At losing friends,” he said.

“At least I have friends to lose.”

“Had.”

“Knock it off!” their dad said.

They glared at each other.

“Personally,” their dad continued in a calmer voice, “I think Ava is a little young for boarding school, but your mom says it’s one of the best schools in the world, so we’re counting on you, Jax, to keep an eye on your sister—”

“Yeah, yeah, I get it,” Jax said with a sigh. “I’m going to babysit Ava. But at least I finally get to go.”

Ava clapped her hands together. “When do we go?”

“I just bought tickets for the day after tomorrow,” her mom said. “I figured there was no point in returning to school now, so I let you sleep in.”

“Definitely no point,” Ava said.

“We’ll have a day or two to explore the city together before orientation,” her dad said.

Ava started dancing around. “Will I have a roommate? Is there a uniform? What are the teachers like? Do I need to know any Italian?”

“Let’s start doing some laundry and packing,” her mom said, “and I’ll try to answer your questions.”

Over the next forty-eight hours there was so much to do—dash out to buy extra sheets and shower caddies; take down winter coats from the attic; get their records transferred from school—that Ava barely had time to think. It was only the night before their flight, as Ava packed her favorite stuffie in her carry-on—a green-and-black polka-dotted snake named Garter that her mom had given her as a baby—that it hit Ava that she was really leaving home. Her mom wouldn’t be coming in every evening to tuck her in and kiss her good night. Ava couldn’t even call her since the school—in keeping with its strictly classical curriculum—didn’t allow smartphones or computers. Her mom could only send letters.

Ava’s throat tightened. Her stomach flip-flopped, and she felt ill. Was this why they called it homesickness? But she hadn’t even left home. She pulled Garter out of her backpack and put him back in the lineup of other animals.

Just then, her mom hurried into her room, carrying a stack of folded clothes. “I’m finishing the last load of laundry, and then I think we’re in good shape for tomorrow.”

“I’ve changed my mind,” Ava said.

Her mom jerked to a stop in front of her. “What?”

“I don’t want to go.”

Her mom just stood there, blinking. Then she deposited the clothes on the bureau and sat down beside her on the bed. “Ava,” she said, clearly and slowly. “You have to.”

“Can’t I just go to the Accademia next year? I’ll be thirteen then—”

“It’s kind of like . . .” Her mom gazed out the window into the late August darkness as if the answer lay out there. “A family tradition to go to the Accademia. You have to trust me. You’re old enough now. It’s time for you to go.”

“But I’m going to miss you.”

A hot tear slid down Ava’s cheek. Her mom wiped it away with her finger and pulled Ava close.

“I’m going to miss you too. But Daddy and I will come for the holidays. That’s just a few months from now, not long at all. You’ll make us both so proud, I know it, Ava.”

Ava doubted that. She wasn’t like Jax, always getting perfect grades and winning every award. “Can’t I stay here?” she pleaded. “I’ll be good. I won’t lose my temper.”

Her mom shook her head. “Everything is already set. This is a great school. It’ll prepare you better than any other. By the time I see you next, you’ll understand. Just give it a try for me, okay?”

“Okay,” Ava whispered.

“I love you so much,” her mom whispered back. “You’re my strong girl.”

Ava sniffed, then nodded—she wasn’t going to cry. Instead, she was going to show her mom that she was strong enough to keep her feelings inside. Sad ones, angry ones—all of them.