Mortal Danger

“I’m gonna learn so much from you.”

“Maybe.” With a half shrug, I headed for the door.

The mall I’d found was located downtown, kind of a revitalized ultra-chic place with small boutiques, lots of flowers and Spanish-style courtyards. There were staple department stores, of course, like Macy’s and Nordstrom, but I wouldn’t be shopping there. Instead I’d hit smaller, lower-priced places. It shouldn’t cost too much for jeans and T-shirts. At this point, I wasn’t sure enough of my fashion sense to go much beyond those parameters. Deep down, I wished Kian hadn’t refused to come with me. He had great taste, cool and elegant, and I’d bet he could dress me perfectly. Maybe that was why he didn’t want to do it, though. He’d already made me beautiful. Anything more might make him feel proprietary, give him a disquieting sense of ownership. I probably shouldn’t have asked him to kiss me.

I wasn’t sorry I had.

Vi made a noncommittal shopping buddy. She had no opinions on anything I tried on, but I caught a wistful light in her eyes, once or twice. I wanted to tell her how well I understood, but nobody wanted a new acquaintance prying into their personal business. I wouldn’t make it better by saying I’d been a “before” picture, too. So I kept a light commentary running on what I intended to buy.

By the end of the spree, I spent four hundred bucks on clothes and cosmetics, forty on a small suitcase to hold it all. I also had the cash my dad had given me, which left me just under a hundred for the rest of the summer. That should be good for random entertainments. From the curriculum, I saw we’d be busy doing telescopic observation of various constellations anyway, so it wasn’t like I’d be out on the town every night.

Vi and I ate a quick meal at the food court, and then I kept my promise to locate the nearest bookstore. In the stacks, I browsed for an hour, but I only bought one book: The Intelligent Negotiator: What to Say, What to Do, How to Get What You Want—Every Time. The purchase set the seal on my intentions. This summer would be my proving ground.

My new roommate bought a handful of science fiction and fantasy titles. I’d read all of them but one. I touched the second book in her stack. “That one’s the best.”

“I’ll read it first.”

Since it was after seven by then, we headed back to campus. Vi fell quiet as we approached the dorm; I could tell she’d rather avoid the mixer altogether. It was a wonder she’d gotten up the nerve to speak to me earlier. But then, I totally understood how one new person felt less intimidating than a roomful of strangers. My stomach churned over the prospect too, but I’d master my fear like a differential equation.

In our room, I didn’t change clothes. I brushed my hair and teeth, put on some makeup like the girl in the store had explained. Not a lot. I wasn’t confident enough to try advanced tricks, and fortunately, the face Kian had given me didn’t require it. Your face, a small voice reminded me.

“Ready?” I asked.

She put down her book with a soft sigh. “Not really. But I guess I should go for a while. If it’s awful, I can come back up and read.”

“Come on, it’ll be fun.”

On the third floor, the gathering was already in full swing. Some kids looked geeky; others seemed normal. A few were hot. I skimmed the crowd and saw how it had broken down. Techies were comparing toys. Stargazers stood by the windows. A few math types scribbled on napkins. Music played in the background, soft and inoffensive, and the organizers had laid out various canned drinks and cookies. Not much of a spread, but the point was for enrollees to make first contact.

Before I could make up my mind where to enter the mix, a Japanese boy with a shock of black, blond-tipped spiky hair came up to me. He pointed at my shirt. “Are you really?”

I cocked a brow, waiting, trying to look mysterious, because I had no idea what my tee said. I’d just liked the look of it. And how it fit me.

He asked outright, “‘Looking for a Japanese boyfriend’?”

Crap. Is that what it says?

I gave him a half smile, praying I didn’t blush, because I felt like such a dumbass. Did Kian get this as a practical joke?

“Why, are you applying?”

“Maybe.” He flashed a smile that said he was a little more self-assured than most of the guys here. “I’m Ryuuto. But Ryu is fine.”

“I’m Edie. This is Vi.” I stepped sideways so he could see her since she was hiding behind me. She elbowed me to show she didn’t appreciate the attention.

She squeaked out, “Nice to meet you.”

Come on, Vi. You can do better than that.

But Ryu wasn’t paying attention to either of us. He curled his fingers, calling someone else over, a boy with dark blond hair. With his gold, wire-framed glasses, he looked smart … and cute. “This is my roommate, Seth. Seth, Edie and Vi.”

“Trust Ryu to find the girls right off.” Seth had an easy manner, belied by the flicker of his eyes. That was the only cue he gave that he wasn’t totally calm.

“We’re not the only girls here,” I pointed out.

The blond kid grinned. “The ones who’ll talk to us?”

“Point,” Ryu admitted. “But I figured the shirt was a sign.”

I studied Seth. “Programming?”

He nodded. “What gave me away? I’m interested in pretty much all the hard sciences, though. I haven’t made up my mind on a major yet.”

“Why rush?”

Ryu nudged his roomie. “Let’s get them some drinks?”

As they moved off, Vi drew in a deep breath, covered by the music. “I can’t believe this is happening. Boys just wander over to you?”

They never did before.

“It’s the shirt. Great icebreaker.”

And maybe that’s why Kian bought it.

She shook her head. “It’s because you’re gorgeous. I can’t do this!”

“Relax,” I whispered. “Here they come.”

This was all new to me, too, but I could learn. I had to. Ryu returned with the drinks and Seth brought cookies. The four of us found some chairs in the corner where we could chill. Vi hadn’t spoken a word to the boys, and I could tell by her face that she dug Seth. Maybe we could make that happen by the end of the session.

Ryu was saying, “You ordered your shirt from ThinkGeek, right?”

I nodded, mostly because I had no idea where Kian had gotten it. Fortunately, I was familiar with the store. I’d bought things there before.