Private 06 - Legacy (17 page)

Saturday. October 30. Every secret exit from the Easton grounds had been checked. Every one of them was inaccessible. Short of a team of Navy SEALs busting onto campus and smuggling us out, we were screwed. Noelle and I sat in the solarium that night, staring at each other across one of the smaller tables near the wall--a table a pair of sophomore girls had vacated for us the moment I started to eye it, saying they had been about to leave anyway. Everyone was watching us. Waiting for some direction. Some sign that we hadn't dangled the Legacy in front of them only to snatch it away at the last minute. But no one dared approach us. We were on lockdown.

"There has to be a way," Noelle said. "We have to call Suzel," I whispered. Noelle sighed.

"I told you. I want to keep her out of this. We have to be able to do some things on our own." "Noelle, the Legacy is tomorrow. Tomorrow. We still have to come up with a plan and tell everyone about it. There's no time left. And Suzel is not only on the board, but back in her day at Easton she was kind of a rebel." I had read her file and, though it was next to impossible to imagine she of the straight teeth and responsible hair tearing up Easton, she had come close to expulsion a good six times in her first three years, engaging in everything from hazing to drug use to talking back to teachers. Then, her senior year, she had somehow become the model citizen she seemed to be today. What, exactly, had turned her around? That was the one detail the file didn't divulge.

Noelle, of course, didn't seem surprised by my revelation. She knew everything about everyone already. "I'm willing to bet that she knows things about this campus that we can't even imagine," I said. Noelle's eyes were serious as she studied me. "The Legacy is tomorrow," I said. She sighed through her nose. "Fine. Make the call." I grabbed my iPhone and found Suzel's number on the contact list. She picked up on the first ring. "Hello, Reed," she said in a bubbly tone. "How are you?" "I'm fine, thanks. And you?" I said, sliding off my chair so I could pace out my nerves. I stuck to the wall so no one could hear my side of the conversation, but all around the room, people were noting my movement, pointing me out to their friends. It was like being in a cage at the zoo. "I'm fine as well, thank you for asking!" she replied. "Listen, Suzel, we actually have kind of a problem," I said.

"Shoot," she told me. "Well, tomorrow's the Legacy and we still haven't figured out a way to get off campus," I told her, biting my lip. Suzel sighed heavily, and for a moment I thought I'd messed up. That Noelle was right. That she was disappointed in us. "I was afraid of this," she said. "Headmaster Cromwell is such a tightass. But you didn't hear that from me." I laughed, both relieved and amused. Noelle's expression lightened considerably. "All right. There is one passage off campus that he would never expect you to know about," Suzel said determinedly. "Get yourselves to Gwendolyn Hall tomorrow night at exactly six p.m. There's a wooden door in the back that leads to the basement. It's the only one they never boarded up. I'll make sure it's unlocked." "Gwendolyn Hall?" I asked, glancing at Noelle. She eyed me, intrigued.

"Yes. There will be directions for you there," Suzel said. "And make sure everyone comes in shifts. A huge crowd is going to catch someone's eye. Understood?" "Understood," I replied. Her tone was so conspiratorial and no-nonsense, I half expected her to tell me that my phone was going to self-destruct at the end of this phone call. But instead, she just wished me luck and hung up. "Gwendolyn Hall?" Noelle said. "That's miles from the gate." "I know," I replied as I sat down again. "I told you. This woman's good." I took a deep breath and sighed. "There's still one problem." "The Crom?" Noelle said. "Yeah. He swore he was going to watch us all like a hawk," I said, running my hand through my hair.

"I think we're going to need a distraction or something. Some way to keep him occupied while we all sneak out." "My thoughts exactly," Noelle said with a sly smile. "And I have just the thing." She sat up straight in her chair. "Oh, Amberly?" she said in full voice.

Amberly nearly knocked over her chair, she jumped out of it so fast. "Yeah?" The room was otherwise deathly silent. Everyone present was wondering why a non-Legacy freshman was being summoned by two Billings Girls. "Come over here a second. And bring your little friends," Noelle said. Amberly leaned down to whisper something to her girls and they all scurried to our sides like paid servants. I had no idea where this was going, but I liked it. "Amberly, Reed and I have a little favor to ask of you," Noelle said, looking up at her. The girl at least had the sense to appear skittish. "Sure," she said. "What kind of favor? " "The kind of favor that will put the Billings Girls forever in your debt," Noelle said meaningfully, looking at each of the girls in turn. All three of them turned beet red. They knew what this meant. Do this favor, and the Billings Girls will remember you. Do this favor and come junior year, you'll be invited to join the most exclusive house on campus.

"We'll do it," Amberly said. She didn't even need to consult the others. "Whatever you need." Noelle smiled at me mischievously and I instantly knew what she was thinking. A distraction. Amberly's dorm was clear on the other side of campus from Gwendolyn Hall. If she could somehow summon Cromwell and the security guards to her dorm, we would all be free and clear. But the timing would have to be perfect, and the distraction would have to be realistic. There could be no chance of Cromwell seeing through it. But of course, if there was one person capable of devising such a plan, it was Noelle. "Good. That's exactly what we wanted to hear," Noelle said to the unsuspecting freshmen. "Now, here's the plan...."

Halloween night was frigidly cold. Our breath made steam clouds in the air as the sixteen Billings Girls stood, backs to the west wall of our house, and watched in silence as security guards flooded in from all corners of campus, racing toward Bradwell. I clutched the plastic bag that held my couture gown, my shoes, and my sparkling silver mask, chosen from a boxful of Legacy accessories Noelle had collected over the years. Aside from a few shouts, there was nothing but the sound of my friends' breathing.

"There goes Cromwell," Noelle whispered. Sure enough, the tall, hulking figure was slipping through the back door of the freshman and sophomore dorm. "Now's our chance." I turned to the group, my pulse pounding through my temples, my wrists, my chest. "The first eight go now. The rest wait exactly three minutes, then run." Everyone nodded. "Okay. Let's go." Sabine reached out and clutched my hand. We turned as a group and rushed toward the back of the dorm, then behind the trees toward Gwendolyn Hall, its crumbling edifice rising up against the starry sky like a haunted mansion. As we sprinted toward the back of the building, every footstep sounded like a cannon shot, every breath like a whoosh of howling wind. There was no way we could do this without getting caught. No way in hell. I was the first to get to the back door, which was partially obscured by a century's worth of ivy and weeds. I released Sabine's hand, said a silent prayer, and pushed at the door. It swung open with a creak that could have raised the dead.

"Let's go!" I whispered, ushering everyone inside. As soon as the seven of them were through--Noelle, Sabine, London, Vienna, Tiffany, Rose, and Constance--a group of boys from Ketlar appeared, already dressed in their tuxedos. Josh gave me a quick kiss as he slipped by, and I ducked in after them, leaving the door open for the next wave. "I don't like this," Sabine said, hovering just inside the entryway. "This feels wrong. It's spooky down here." "It's okay," I told her, stepping into the freezing cold stone basement. The ceiling was low--Tiffany, Noelle, Gage, Josh, and I had to duck--and there was a three-inch layer of dirt and grime on every surface. Dozens of ancient wooden desks were stacked and shoved haphazardly against the walls. "I gotta go with Sabine on this one," Josh said. "Maybe we should just bag this idea."

I said nothing. I was not turning back now. As we stepped deeper into the room, squeaking and scurrying noises caused London and Vienna to yelp and clutch each other. "Ew! Mice! I hate mice!" Constance cried. Then she screamed at the top of her lungs. Gage had used his fingers to creepy-crawl across her shoulder. "Constance! Shhh!" I whisper-shouted.

"Gage! Grow the fuck up," Noelle snapped. The rest of the Billings Girls entered at that moment and the basement started to feel claustrophobic. "What do we do now?" Tiffany asked.

"Directions. Suzel said she'd leave directions," I said. Noelle and I and a few others spread out to look in the dim light pouring through high windows. The longer we looked, the harder my heart started to pound. What if she hadn't been able to get here? What if Cromwell had caught her? What if--Then a lighter flared on. At that moment, I noticed a sweet, acrid scent filling the air. "Who the hell is smoking in here?" Noelle blurted.

London and Vienna giggled. Several sophomores came in through the basement door. Okay. Now

I was pissed. Pot? As if breathing in here wasn't difficult enough already. "You guys!

You're going to get us caught!" London took a long hit on a skinny joint and passed it to Vienna. "Sorry, Reed. We've smoked in every other building on campus, but we could never get in here."

"Gwendolyn's our holy grail," Vienna agreed, holding in her smoke, which made her face all flat and squinty. "We have now completed our toking tour of Easton!" London and Vienna cheered, blowing smoke at the ceiling. "Very mature," Noelle said, as Gage and a few others produced their own stashes from inner pockets. "Like you won't get enough of whatever you want at the Legacy." "I think we're safe," Lance said, peeking out one of the low windows. "At least it doesn't look like anyone's coming." "Guess Amberly's catfight was really convincing," Noelle said happily. "I found something," Rose said. Suddenly a flashlight blazed in the dark. "It was over by the door." At least someone was focused on the task at hand. "Shine it around," I directed. She did as she was told, and I saw a flash of white. "There!"

Noelle and I lurched forward. Pinned to a warped wooden door that had been invisible in the darkness was a handwritten note. Girls, No one knows about this route other than the board and the school caretakers. And now you. Take the tunnel to the end. I'll have cars waiting for you there. Be safe. ÐSuzel "Take the tunnel to the end?" Noelle repeated. I reached for the side of the door and had to dig my nails into the rotting wood to get a grip on it. It took some effort to pry it open, and it kept getting caught on the stone floor. Finally Josh stepped forward to help me, and together we shoved it all the way back to the wall. Rose shone the flashlight into the opening, revealing an impossibly tiny tunnel with dirt walls and floor. At the entrance were several more flashlights.

"She has got to be kidding," Noelle said. Portia put her hand to her chest as she peaked in and grimaced. "L.O.T.I." "Huh?" "Laughing on the inside," Rose clarified Portia's abbreviation. "What the hell is this, the underground railroad?" Gage asked, blowing pot smoke right in my face. "I'm not going down there," London added. "No way." "You guys, Suzel would not have sent us here if it was dangerous," I told them, grabbing one of the flashlights. "We have to go before someone notices the lights. If you're in, follow me. If not, just make sure you're not seen sneaking back." "Wow. That was very authoritative of you, Reed," Noelle said, without a hint of teasing. "Thanks," I replied, ducking through the entryway. Josh grabbed my wrist, stopping me. "Are you sure about this?" I glanced over my shoulder at him. My heart was pounding, and my palms were sweating so badly the plastic bag around my gown was slipping from my grasp. But all those faces were looking to me expectantly. I wasn't about to back down. Not after all that work. I wouldn't let everyone down.

"I'm sure," I said. I handed him the flashlight and took his free hand in mine. There. That was much better. "Now let's go."

The tunnel let out through the side of a hill, smack in the middle of the woods. Josh and I gulped the fresh air as we emerged. I felt like we'd been feeling our way along the passage for hours, but when I glanced at my watch, I found it had been only a fifteen-minute walk. "Now what?" Josh asked, as the others crowded out behind us. We moved the flashlights along the tree line. It was pitch-black. "There!" I shouted, ecstatic to have spotted a pathway through the trees. Josh and I forged ahead with Sabine, Constance, Noelle, and Gage at our heels, the others trailing behind. Two minutes later, we found ourselves at the side of a quiet road, where a line of stretch limousines awaited our arrival. At the sight of the cars, the entire Legacy crowd hooted and hollered. Several people slapped me on the back, hugged me, kissed me. I think that, until that moment, many of them had their doubts that I was going to pull this off. "Reed, you are going to go down in Billings history," Tiffany said, snapping my picture.

"Try Easton history," Lance added. "Reed Brennan, you are a goddess among girls," Gage told me. "Gage, you just said something to me without insulting me in the process," I said. "Must be the pot." He laughed and strolled toward the cars. "This is your moment, Reed. Savor it," Noelle whispered in my ear as she slipped by me. And so I did. All these people were happy and laughing and excited because of me. Because I had refused to give up. I couldn't have stopped smiling if I even wanted to. It really was my moment. "You gonna put that on?" Josh asked, looping his arm around my waist as he looked down at my still-bagged gown. All around us, girls were disrobing right in plain sight and slipping into their dresses. "I'll be right back." I ducked back into the trees to do my own quick-change. Josh followed after me.

"Why, Mr. Hollis. Think you're going to sneak a peek?" I joked, glancing at him over my shoulder. He blushed and scratched at the back of his head. "Well, no. Unless, of course, you want to give me a peek." Josh had never seen me naked. I had never seen him naked. In a towel, yes, but not fully naked. But right then, in all the revelry and adrenaline of the moment, I was feeling brazen. Daring. It was Legacy night. The night anything could happen. And so, there in the middle of the woods with his flashlight shining on me, I stripped slowly down to my underwear, never taking my eyes off his. Josh watched my every move. I felt less self-conscious in front of him than I had felt in front of Noelle and Darla the seamstress. I felt like I wanted him to see me. I thought he would fidget or blush, but he was mesmerized. He looked at me like I was the most beautiful sight he'd ever seen.