Two Schools Out - Forever

56

"Night, Tiffany-Krystal," I said, grinning, and Nudge grinned back. We stacked our fists on top of each other and tapped the backs with our other hands.

"Night," said Nudge, lying back on her comfy pillows. "Max? We are going to stay for a while, aren't we? We're not leaving, like, tomorrow, right?"

"No," I said quietly. "Not tomorrow. Just-be on your toes, and try to blend, okay?"

"Okay. I do blend pretty good, I think," Nudge said. "I have three friends I sit with at lunch. My teacher seems to like me."

"Of course she likes you. How could she not?" I kissed Nudge's forehead and left, heading down the hall to tuck in Angel.

Pushing open her door, I saw that Anne was already there, pulling the covers up to Angel's chin.

"You had a long day, sweetie," said Anne, stroking Angel's hair off her face. "Get some good sleep now."

"Okay," said Angel.

"And Ariel? Don't let Total up on the bed," Anne said. "He has his own bed."

"Uh-huh," said Angel agreeably. I rolled my eyes. Total would be on the bed before Anne was five steps down the hall.

"Good night, sleep tight," Anne said, standing up.

"Don't let the bedbugs bite," Angel answered cheerfully.

Anne smiled at us and went out.

Total hopped up on the bed. Angel held up the covers for him and he wriggled underneath them, resting his head on a corner of Angel's pillow. I tucked them both in.

"Would it kill her to turn up the heat?" Total grumbled sleepily. "This place is an icebox. You could practically hang meat in here."

Angel and I grinned at each other.

"You all right?" I asked.

She nodded. "I hated seeing the Erasers today."

"You and me both. Ari really creeps me out. Do you pick up anything from him?"

Angel thought. "Dark. Red. Angry. Torn. Confused. He hates us."

I frowned at this grim picture of what was happening inside Ari's head.

"And he loves you," Angel added. "He loves you a lot."