Desert Dark (16 page)

Nadia would probably sleep all day if Libby let her. She'd been moping around for weeks, ever since her date with Jack. Not so much that anyone else would notice, but living in such close quarters provided Libby maximum exposure to Nadia's moods. True, Jack had been keeping his distance. Libby told her not to read too much into it; she'd heard the seniors were working on an intense project all last month. Plus, Jack knew how hard Nadia had been trying to catch up. Likely, he was just being thoughtful; giving her space to focus on work. But Nadia would hear none of it; she was sure she'd blown her chances.

“Get up,” Libby said. “It's a beautiful day.”

Nadia groaned as she dragged herself to the bathroom. “Fine, I'm up. But we are no longer friends.”

Without thinking, Libby began straightening the items on Nadia's dresser. She continued to her desk, strewn with papers.
It's a miracle she can find anything
. When she heard the shower running, Libby went to her closet and pulled out a container of
sanitizing wipes. In a flash she'd scoured the doorknobs and the top of Nadia's desk.

Libby noticed her compulsion to clean increased exponentially with stress. With Thanksgiving right around the corner, she'd had to sit on her hands a couple times to control her urges. She didn't think Nadia minded so much, but dipping a napkin into her water glass to scrub the chocolate milk mustache off of Alan's face probably wouldn't go over too well.

Libby smoothed Nadia's bedding. She'd recently received her marching orders for the holiday and she was just sick about them. Every time her mind flicked onto the topic her stomach lurched.

She frantically wiped Nadia's nightstand and the switch on her bed lamp. Before she reached the headboard, Nadia emerged from the bathroom. Libby frowned and dropped the wipes into the small wastepaper basket between their beds.

Nadia tilted her head. “Are you okay? You look upset.”

Libby threw a smile on her face. “Do I? No, I'm fine.” She sat on the edge of her bed. “I was just missing my momma. Isn't that silly?”

“No, it's really sweet.” Nadia began sifting through her closet.

Libby
was
worried about her mother. This past year her daddy had spent most of his time in Washington. By himself. Caroline Bishop was a people-person and, like her daughter, she did not care to be alone. Libby's previous schools had never been more than a two-hour plane ride from home, and always in the same time zone. Libby had felt so guilty about moving across the country she'd almost declined her invitation to the Academy, but her father had insisted.

“Ready to go?” Nadia asked.

“Let me check my face.” Libby dashed into the bathroom and reapplied her lipstick.

The girls met Casey in the hallway. “I was just coming to your room. Nadia, you have a call.”

At the front desk, Libby waited as Nadia picked up the phone, said hello and instantly scowled, which created a sharp crease between her eyebrows.

She shouldn't make that face. It's just not pretty
. Libby drummed her fingers on the edge of the desk. She caught herself and stopped almost immediately, but Nadia must've noticed her impatience because she waved Libby over and held up the phone so they could both hear.

“Can you repeat that?” Nadia asked.

A man's synthesized voice spoke through the line, “The rook sings at first light. Prepare for the meet.” The line went dead.

“What on earth was that?” Libby asked.

Nadia shook her head as she replaced the receiver. “I don't know. Probably one of the idiot boys.”

“Are they still teasing you about the survival course?” Casey asked.

“I'll be hearing about that until I graduate.”

“Oh, you poor thing,” said Casey.

Wish I had time for these ridiculous games
. “All set?” Libby asked. Nadia and Casey turned toward her, eyebrows raised. “I'm sorry, did I interrupt?”

“No, I'm ready,” Nadia said. She pulled open the lobby door. “Are you sure everything's okay? You seem a little . . . stressed lately.”

Pull it together
. Libby smiled brightly. “No, everything's fantastic.” Her daddy's advice echoed in her ears:
If you don't like what people are saying about you, change the conversation
. “Though I do mean to find out which one of those boys is still picking on you.”

Libby followed Nadia through the dining hall, and they joined Alan and Damon at their usual table. “Whichever one of you telephoned my roommate,” Libby said, “she didn't get the message. So how about you lay off?”

“What are you talking about?” Alan asked.

“So it was you?” Libby asked Damon.

He turned to Nadia. “Baby girl, if
I
call you, there'll be no question.”

Libby smiled at Damon's flirtatious tone. “All right, no one
wants to confess. Bunch of chickens. But on a brighter note: less than three weeks until Thanksgiving. Everyone going home?”

“Of course.” Alan looked at her like she'd sprouted a second head. “It's Thanksgiving.”

Damon shook his head. “I'm not.”

“Neither am I,” Nadia said. “Plane tickets are so expensive and winter break is right around the corner.”

“Oh, that's too bad,” said Libby.

Nadia shrugged. “Last week Sensei offered additional lessons over break, so at least I'll have something to do. Damon, you have plans?”

“Not yet, but things are definitely looking up. I'll have you all to my—”

“I can't wait to go home,” Libby said. “I love Thanksgiving! My brother will be home from college, my momma will make all my favorite things to eat—her pecan pie is to
die
for. We'll do some Christmas shopping; we may even decorate the tree. We cut our own, you know. It'll be so much fun!” She clapped her hands before noticing her friends had stopped eating. Six eyes were glued to her face.
Uh-oh
.

“Why are you talking so fast?” Alan asked.

Libby felt her face flush. “Am I? Sorry. My mouth moves a million miles a minute when I'm excited.”
Or nervous
. Her gaze fell on Jack and Noah as they entered the room.

Damon narrowed his eyes as he studied Libby's face. He followed her line of vision, then looked back at her. “Are you kidding me?”

“I don't know what you're talking about.” Libby dropped her eyes.

“Noah?”

“What are you guys talking about?” Alan asked.

Well that was fortuitous timing
. Libby shrugged. “What's wrong with Noah?”

“Oh, hell no.” Damon said. “He's the leader of our rival team. You don't need to be consorting with the enemy.”

“You're taking Niyuri to the Fall Formal—she's
on
his team!” Libby said.

“That's different.”

“How?”

“It just is,” Damon said. “Noah's not good enough for you. You're not going to the dance with him, if that's what you're thinking.”

“Is that why you are acting so weird?” Alan asked.

Libby ignored Alan's question as she addressed Damon. “What are you, my daddy?”

“Seriously, Damon,” Nadia said. “You jealous?”

“No, I'm not jealous. I'm just saying. She can do a whole lot better.”

Nadia laughed. “What, like you?”

Damon gave Nadia a sly smile. “Blondes aren't my type.” He winked.

“Well, Libby, if Noah does not ask you to the dance I would be willing to take you,” Alan said quickly, his eyes darting between Nadia and Damon. “It is only two weeks away. At this point, I suspect you are frantic to secure an escort.”

“Really? A pity date?” Libby asked. Alan's clumsy attempt to break the connection between Nadia and Damon managed to further agitate her, though she wasn't sure why. “Think I'll hold out for the real thing.”

“Suit yourself.” Alan shrugged. “Nadia, I suppose we could go together.”

Nadia paused for a moment. “Alan, can I give you some advice?”

“If you must.”

“How can I put this?” Nadia took a deep breath. “When you ask someone on a date . . . Girls like to feel special. Like they've been
chosen
. Don't just go around the table asking one after the other.”

“Honestly, Alan.” Libby's tone was sharper than she'd intended.
Just as well they think I'm bent out of shape about some
stupid dance
. She glanced up at Damon.
He doesn't miss a trick; I need to be more careful
.

“So, no, then?” Alan asked.

“It's a very generous offer,” Nadia said. “But I must decline.”

Who cares about the damn dance?
Libby pushed her omelet around the plate.
I have more pressing concerns than my social life
.

On Sunday night Nadia went for a run on the hiking trails beyond the wall. She was rounding a blind corner when she literally bumped into Jack. She fell backward and skidded off the rocky path. Sharp pebbles pierced her hand as dozens of spikes stabbed into her back.

“Nadia! Are you okay?” Jack rushed over. “You landed on a barrel cactus!”

“That would explain the searing pain,” she snapped. “Can you please get the spines out of my shoulder?”

“These hurt. It's like getting a bunch of fish hooks stuck in your back. Don't move,” he instructed.

Nadia clenched her jaw to keep from screaming. She picked at the rocks embedded in her palm. The raw skin throbbed.

Jack gently brushed her ponytail out of the way. “It's quite a coincidence running into you. I was just talking about you at dinner.”

“Oh yeah? What about?” She tried to sound casual, which wasn't easy, given the extreme pain. “Had someone not heard the story of how I humiliated myself on the survival course?”

“Don't be silly. Everyone's heard that story.”

“Very funny.”

“No, one of my friends was thinking of asking you to the fall dance.”

Nadia rolled her eyes knowing Jack couldn't see her face. “Is that so?”

“Yeah, but I told him I thought you already had a date.”

“Well, I don't.”

“Yeah, I know. I asked Libby yesterday.”

“You asked Libby to the dance?” She turned her head slightly in Jack's direction.

“Hold still. No, I asked Libby if you had a date.”

“Then why did you tell your friend I was going with someone?” Nadia twisted all the way around to look at him.

“Stop moving! Because I was hoping you might want to go with me.”

“Oh.” She turned back around to hide her grin. “Okay.”

You're making a huge mistake. He's been avoiding you for a month. He doesn't like you that way
.

“Excellent,” Jack said, as he dug another spine out of her shoulder.

Shut up, Nadia. No one cares what you think
.

Bright and early Monday morning, Libby got called to Dr. Cameron's office. After a good night's sleep and an intense morning workout, her mood had brightened, but even if it hadn't, she didn't mind the doctor's interviews. Not only was he handsome, but she found his disposition most agreeable. She smiled as they exchanged pleasantries.

“And how is your family, Libby?” he asked.

Her stomach jumped.
What now?
“Why do you ask? Is something wrong? Have you heard something?”

He shook his head and looked concerned. “Should I have?”

“'Course not,” she said quickly. “I just meant because sometimes my daddy's in the news. You know, because of his work.”
Shut your mouth, Liberty Grace
. “Everyone's just fine, and it is so good of you to ask.” Libby knew better than to discuss family business.

“How is your roommate getting along?”

“She's doing great.”

Dr. Cameron smiled. “Good.” He looked at his hands resting in his lap. “I understand she spends a lot of time at the dojo.”

Libby nodded. “She takes private lessons. After what happened on the survival course—well, I'm sure you heard. She felt a little behind, but she's on track now.” As the heat kicked on, a
flutter of movement caught Libby's attention. Her eyes flitted to the corner behind the door. A dust bunny scurried along the baseboard like a cockroach running from the maid's broom.

“Have you noticed anything that concerns you?”

Oh my goodness, it's the size of a tennis ball. Don't they clean in here?
Libby glanced at her folding chair.
I bet this chair never gets wiped down
. The thought of sitting on other people's filth made her queasy. She scooted to the edge of her seat and looked back at the dust.

“Libby?”

“Hmm?”
Look away
.

“Have you noticed anything that concerns you?” he repeated.

Look away!
Libby tore her eyes away from the dirt and looked at the doctor. “Concerns? About Nadia? No.” Libby shook her head.
Did I touch the back of the chair when I sat down?
She chewed her lip, trying to remember.
I'm sure I wouldn't have been so careless
. Dr. Cameron remained mum. The silence stretched on. “What do you mean? About Nadia? Like what?”

He shrugged and raised his eyebrows.

Pay attention. You sound like a crazy person
. “Everything seems fine . . .” Libby's voice faded. Dr. Cameron's gaze was unwavering. Libby shifted in her chair. “You know, she studies and works out. That's about all any of us have time for. She's almost always with me.”

“Except at the dojo, right?”

“Well, yeah. And when she's studying with Alan. Sometimes they study alone.” Against her will, her eyes moved like a magnet to the corner of the room.