I lean over to Paige in class. "Where's Dawn?"

"Don't know," she says, not sounding too happy about it. "I haven't seen her around lately."

"Hmm. I wonder why."

Paige shrugs, and we go back to our work.

Finally the bell rings, and we are released from the wrath of class.

We head to the cafeteria and heap our plates full of mac and cheese, then head to our table. Dawn is already sitting there with a plate when we get there.

She looks up when we arrive. "Hey guys."

"Where've you been the past few days?" Paige questions.

"Nowhere special," Dawn replies, and goes back to eating.

No one has anything else to say, so we start eating our lunch.

"Do we have classes again after lunch?" Dawn asks, breaking the silence.

"Uh, I don't know," Ethyn says. "Dave?"

"The screen said to head to the library after lunch," Dave tells us.

"Okay," Dawn says, and goes back to eating.

Our table falls into silence once again. I'm thinking of Dawn. Clearly, something's up. Her behaviour right now kind of reminds me of Aria when I first met her. Come to think of it, I haven't seen Aria around lately.

"Dawn," I say. She looks up. "Is everything okay?"

She looks surprised that I've asked. "It will be," she says with a sad smile.

"I'm here if you need me."

---

"Guys come on. We've gotta get to the library," Dave insists, trying to hurry us up.

"Okay, okay," Tess sighs.

We all push our chairs out, stand up and follow Dave to the library.

There's a sign on the door that says:

What is that?

I feel a hand hold my arm back, and turn around to see Tristan.

"We did this last year," he tells me.

"What is it?" I question.

"There's a bunch of fitness options, and we choose one to sign up for. It's their way of keeping us fit. We'll be in the one we choose now for about a month, and then choose another one."

I nod in understanding.

"I was just wondering, do you want to sign up for the same one," he pauses, looking almost scared. "Like-cause we're friends-you know?" He blushes.

"Yeah, of course," I say, smiling.

We head into the library, and see everyone crowded around an table that has the sign up sheet on it.

"Let's just wait until they're done," Tristan says to me.

"Good idea."

Once everyone is done, Tristan and head up to the round table.

There is a laptop on the table with our options. I look down the list.

Tristan and I look at each other.

"So."

"Maybe it wasn't the best plan to wait till the end," Tristan says.

I laugh. "It's all good."

"Paintball, swimming, or we could spilt up for dance and yoga," he made a face.

"I'm not doing paintball," I say.

"It's fun!" He insists.

"Fun?" I ask. "More like painful!" I am adamant about not doing paintball. It's something I've always been scared of.

"So, swimming, or we could do disgusting dance and yoga."

"I bet those two are for all the girly girls and un-athletic people."

He laughs. "Definitely. So, swimming?"

"I guess so," I say with fake confidence.

Tristan takes the mouse, clicks on swimming and types our names, taking the last spots.

"Let's go," I say.

Tristan and I head back to the common room. As we enter, I see Aria sneaking out of the common room, to the hallway where the girls dorms are.

"I'll be right back," I tell Tristan. "I have to run to my dorm."

"Okay. I'll be here."

I go through the same doors Aria just went through, and speed walk down the hallway.

I can see Aria in front of me in the hallway. She slows, and takes a seat on one of the couches in the little sitting area that's just for us girls.

"Hey," I say, sitting down beside her.

She jumps. "Oh! Hey Amber!"

"We haven't talked lately," I say. "How's it going?"

"It's alright. I mean, you can't really say we're in a great situation, we were taken away from our families. It's tough, but at least I'm adjusting. Like I said before, Quinn and I hang out."

"Yeah," I say. I feel bad that I have a whole bunch of friends and they just have each other, but most of my friends, save for Tristan and maybe a few others, would not appreciate the presence of Aria and Quinn.

"And how's Duckface?" I ask.

Aria laughs. "Same old, same old."

I join her laughter. It feels good to laugh.

"So," she starts. "How are things goin' with the boys?"

"Well. Yesterday Daniel took me to the courtyard. He was like holding my hand and stuff. It wasn't weird. And then he kissed me. On the lips-"

"Seriously?!"

"Yeah! Then we went inside, to the common room, and I hung out with a guy from Manitoba that I knew; he's a few years older than us. Then Tristan and I went to the library and hung out there for a little bit. Then today when we went to the library to sign up for the athletic things, whatever they're called, Tristan asked if I wanted to do one with him. So we're doing swimming."

"Okay. So do you think Tristan likes you?"

"Honestly, I don't know," I tell her. "I don't even know if Daniel likes me, or if it's all just a charade. When we played truth or dare he dared Tess to kiss him."

"He probably wanted to see your reaction."

"Oh!" I exclaim. "I never even thought of that!"

"I think they both like you. I mean, Daniel is obvious. And I think Tristan is just too scared to admit it."

"I don't know," I say, unsurely. "I think Tristan just wants to be friends."

"No. I think he likes you. And that's my final opinion. Court case closed," Aria claps her hands to mimic banging the gavel.

I start giggling and Aria joins in. Once we start we can't stop.

"I'm really glad we met," Aria says, once we have calmed down.

"Yeah. Me too."

We make conversation for a little while longer, and then the bell goes.

After the bell, there is an automated voice.

"Alright. I guess that's our cue," I say. "Where are you headed?"

"Tennis," Aria tells me. "I didn't want to be in dance or yoga. That's probably where Zoe and all her minions are."

"Good thinking."

We head out to the common room. I really hope Tristan is waiting for me, cause I don't remember how to get to the pool.

Lucky for me, he is waiting there. Aria and I part ways and I walk over to Tristan.

"Thanks for waiting," I say gratefully. "I don't know the way to the pool."

"It's okay. This is a confusing place for the first while."

I nod.

Tristan navigates the halls easily, and we get to the pool in no time. We separate at the change rooms.

I enter the girls change room. Again, there is a variety of bathing suits laid out on the bench. I chose a simple blue tankini top, and black bottoms.

There is no one else in the change room with me. Either I'm the only girl, the other girl or girls are late, or early.

Once I'm changed, reality hits me. I signed up for swimming! What was I thinking?

Lee isn't here to calm me this time.

What is I drown? What if I make a fool of myself? What is Cody is here?

I need to calm down. Tristan is here too. He wanted to do an activity together. He's a good friend.

Calmed, slightly, I walk out to the pool. Standing on the pool deck are four guys, one of them Tristan, and another the lifeguard from last time. There's a random guy, and Cody.

I start freaking out again.

Calm down! You're okay Amber.

I walk over to the group.

"Hey," Tristan says, smiling.

The lifeguard claps his hands. "Okay!" he shouts. "Is everyone here now? Tristan?"

"Here."

"Sam?"

"Here."

"Cody?"

"Yo."

"And Amber."

"Here."

"Alright. I'm Evan, age 21, drawn in '49. I'm the-" he makes air quotes, "Lifeguard here. If you want to get in the pool, I'll have each of you swim two laps, one by one."

We head to the water and hop in.

"You okay Amber?" Tristan asks me.

"Not really."

Tristan looks concerned, so I explain. "I've always had a bit of a fear of water. When we did the mentor activities, Lee and I were kayaking in here-"

Evan claps his hands. "Cody, swim first, then Sam, then Amber and last, Tristan. Just there and back."

I continue. "Cody flipped us. My fear grew. I thought I'd be okay, but now that Cody's here, I'm not too sure."

"It's okay Amber. I'm here, and I won't let Cody do anything to you. I promise."

"Okay. Thank you Tristan."

Sam finishes his laps, and now it's my turn.

"You got this Amber," Tristan encourages.

And I do. I swim the laps, albeit a little slower than the others, but still, I did it.

At the end of the hour, Evan sends us to the change rooms.

I come out of the girls change room feeling really proud of myself.

Tristan is waiting for me when I come out.

"You're slow," he jokes.

"Maybe boys are just too fast."

"Whatever. I'm proud of you, you did really good."

"Thanks. I honestly don't think I could have done it without you there."

"Glad I could be there for you."

---

😄