‘Come on, bag. Zip!’
Allie had stuffed the last few things into her bag and now it bulged at the sides and refused to close. Even when she used all of her strength she couldn’t get it to zip up.
The girls had all been given fifteen minutes in their rooms to pack. It turned out most bedrooms were fine. But the teachers were worried the fire and water might have made the ceilings and floors weak.
‘Oh, bugger it.’
Panting from the exertion, she flipped it open and looked for something to jettison. Her scuffed dark red, knee-high Doc Marten boots lay right on top. She pulled them out and tried again.
It closed easily.
She picked up the boots lovingly. No way am I leaving these behind.
Holding them in front of her she studied the scuffs on the toes, the way the leather had moulded to fit her ankles. She’d been in love with these boots since the day she saw them in the window of the charity shop down the road from her school. When she found out they were the right size, she knew they were destined to be hers. For two months she’d gone to that shop every day to make sure they were still there. Eventually she convinced the workers to put them aside for her until her birthday. The thick soles, the sturdy leather, the sheer aggressive power of them made her feel strong again. They were like her armour.
I know I’ve changed while I’ve been here, she thought. But I haven’t changed so much that I don’t think these are bitchin’ boots.
Kicking off her school-issued sensible shoes she pulled on the Docs, lacing them up with happy familiarity. Paired with her school uniform, they looked … perfect.
Then she looked around one last time, running her hand along the top of her desk. She’d hated this place so much when she first arrived. Now she couldn’t wait to come back.
She hoisted the bag to her shoulder and hurried through the door crashing full-force into Carter, who stood on the other side.
‘Hey Speed,’ he laughed, steadying her with a hand on each shoulder. ‘Where’s the fire?’
‘Ha ha, you’re hilarious,’ she said, rolling her eyes.
He smoothed her hair. ‘Are your parents here already?’
‘They’ll be here any minute.’ She made a face. ‘I’m only hurrying because my dad hates waiting.’
His eyes clouded briefly, and she remembered that his parents would never come to pick him up again.
‘Where will you live during term break?’ she asked with a worried frown. ‘They won’t let you stay in the guys’ dorm.’
‘I’m moving into the teachers’ wing while they’re fixing the smoke damage,’ he said. ‘It’ll be fine.’
‘I hope you won’t be too lonely.’
‘I’ll be OK,’ he assured her. ‘This is home for me, remember? And I won’t be alone. Jo and Sylvain are staying and Jules is only going home for a few days. Most of Night School will be back after a week or so.’
Hearing Sylvain’s name, Allie felt an unwanted tug on her heart. She hadn’t seen him since the fire.
‘Good,’ she said. ‘But I’ll worry about you anyway.’
‘And I’ll worry about you. Write to me,’ he said. ‘And I’ll nick Isabelle’s phone and call you.’
‘You still have my number?’
He held up his hand – she’d written her number just below his knuckles an hour ago.
‘I’ll have it tattooed while you’re gone,’ he joked.
A sombre silence fell, and Allie rested her bag on her foot and gently bounced it with her toe.
‘You’re going to be careful, right?’ he said, tugging lightly at the hem of her shirt, pulling her a step closer to him. ‘You’ll stay safe?’
Even though he kept his voice light, she could hear the concern behind his words.
‘Don’t worry. I’ll be good as gold. I’m only home a week then I’m off to Rachel’s country pile, which is apparently as secure as Buckingham Palace.’
‘Good,’ he said, pulling her into a tight hug. ‘As long as you’re careful. We need you around here, you know.’
‘Yes you do. This whole place would fall apart without me,’ she said with an ironic smile.
Burying his face in her hair, he breathed in deeply.
‘Time! Everybody out!’
Zelazny’s voice rang out in the hallway outside the door. Allie lifted her face for a quick kiss, pulling away almost immediately. It was too late for long goodbyes.
She picked up her bag and threw it over her shoulder.
‘I’m going to go down by myself, OK?’ Her eyes searched his face, but she knew he would understand. If he really kissed her properly or asked her to stay – if she just kept looking into those eyes – she’d never make it out the door.
Moving briskly she walked to the door and opened it.
He called after her: ‘Nice boots, Sheridan.’
She didn’t look back.
‘Stay cool, Carter West.’
She was halfway down the hall when she heard his reply.
‘Always.’