The Boarding School Experiment by Emily Evans Read Free Book Online

capable, willowy, and dark-skinned. Kaitlin was pale, petite, and wide-eyed. She had a Cupie doll appearance that would let her get away with a lot. I envied that.
    They talked about their trips here. I wanted to learn more about them, but the mattress felt soft, like heaven, and my whole body sank into the surface. I was thankful to be flat after my long flight and time spent exploring.
    Geneva nudged my shoes until I looked up. The whites of her eyes appeared bright against her dark irises. My own eyes felt raw, and scratchy.
    “No go. Suck it up. We’ve still got orientation.” Geneva stretched. “I could use a nap too. I had a good four-hour flight from Seattle.”
    I groaned. A blue light flashed above the entry before I could describe nine hours in the air or take her down with a good kick.
    Kaitlin bounced out of her cross-legged position. “Blue means we go to the amphitheater. I read about the color system in the welcome packet.”
    I rolled to my side and yawned.
    Kaitlin twirled her chin-length bangs high and clipped them into her curly brunette ponytail. “I wish we had time to shower before meeting everyone.”
    “No go.” Geneva moved toward the door. “We’ve been stationed some crazy places, but nowhere as remote as this.”
    I struggled up to follow them. “It is far. What do you think the odds of transferring are?”
    “After that commute? Not likely.” Kaitlin peered around our space and the tip of her tongue stuck out of the side of her mouth. “Our room’s tiny. But we’ll make it cute.”
    This dorm room was bigger than our trailer’s living room and the bedroom I shared with my sister combined, but I didn’t say anything.
    “I don’t know what to do about the bathroom situation though.“ Kaitlin’s mouth twisted and she shook her head. “Six girls, one bathroom. Impossible math.”
    The light flashed again and a voice came through a square speaker. “When the blue light comes on, stop what you are doing and gather at the amphitheater. Make your way down either main ramp.” The voice sounded like the bun-wearer from the top floor, slightly condescending, highly commanding.
    Kaitlin and I fell in behind Geneva, not only because she had longer legs, but also because she seemed to know where to go. We moved at a fast clip and people got out of Geneva’s way when she neared to overtake them. A neat trick, one I’d like to learn.
    Down, down, down, we trudged. Getting to the amphitheater was all descent, ending at the bottom of the habitat. There weren’t any more instructions, so we shoved onto the bench-style seats, sliding to the middle. Geneva sat straight and rigid, and Kaitlin curled up cross-legged. I leaned back on my palms, tilted back, and stared straight up through the center of the school, all the way to the domed sky light. The hour had to be at least eight p.m., but the sun shone through the glass like it was noon.
    Geneva noted my gaze. “It’s called the Midnight Sun, but we’re coming to the end of the cycle.”
    “Cool.” Daylight at night—I might love this place. I dropped my gaze to the crowd, checking everyone out. With all of us gathered together, I got my first comprehensive look at the student body.
    Ahead of us, a man in a suit stood behind the lectern. His arms were crossed over his chest and he possessed an air of authority like my old principal, but he didn’t carry a cane. His slim body leaned forward until his mouth touched the microphone. “Welcome. I am your director, and these are your coordinators.” He waved a hand at a group of adults seated in chairs lining the stage.
    I recognized Coordinator Steele from the restricted area and the lab coat wearer from the entryway. I whispered as much to my roommates.
    Geneva whispered back, “The Director, the Scientist, and the Enforcer. Those are their new names.”
    I nodded.
    Kaitlin giggled. “Okay.”
    The director’s right arm arched toward the sky with one raised index finger. “First of