"Oh, Uncle..." I covered his hand with mine and squeezed. He patted our joined hands with his free one before saying, "Just a fond moment for an old man, nothing to worry about."

"You're not old!"

"Not at heart, no, my dear. And never when I'm with you." G.o.d, I loved Uncle Martin and the way he always made me-everyone-feel special. After another pause and a last squeeze of hands, he said, "It is a surprising likeness though."

"Did you, uh, mention it to him? What did he say?" I was sure my aunt had by now, but I didn't want to put ideas into Dan's head. If I ever told him who I was, I wanted it to come from me.

My uncle shook his head. "No. It didn't seem necessary. They're different men, after all. But I enjoy having a new friend who reminds me of my old one. How interesting it would have been for them to meet, don't you think?"

We had a great lunch after that, the perfect kind of birthday afternoon I wished would never end. Uncle Martin's surprise visit was only for the day, so we lingered until closing over discussions of antiques and my aunt, investments and charities, new friends and old, and, also, my future. Unsurprisingly, my uncle heavily favored my return to Baltimore.

"Your time at the Academy has been so good for you, with the stability and the rigorous academics," Uncle Martin explained, and sometimes I smiled at him just because who else said things like stability and rigorous academics seriously? But he did. He was a good salesman too. He went on, "I can't help but believe a similar environment that's also close to your family wouldn't be equally healthy or better."

Though his argument for "coming home," as he called it, was practical, I knew it was mostly that he wanted the chance to live close to me and my aunt for the first time in my remembered life. His enthusiasm, along with Aunt Tessa's more subdued encouragement, was hard to ignore.

"I'm strongly considering it," I promised him as we pulled back through the gates at school. Campus was busy with Winter Ball prep, students scurrying and cars coming and going. We pulled up to my building, only to find a limo already there and my roommate pacing around outside it.

"Lainey!" She was calling before I'd even finished opening my door. "Oh, finally! C'mon! We're so late!"

Uncle Martin stepped out of the car and I officially introduced them. Amy did her best rapid-fire conversation as she ran around to my side of the car. "Hi, Mr. Schearer, it's so nice to meet you! Are you staying? I hope so, because I'd love to talk to you some more and maybe you could tell me embarra.s.sing stories about my friend, but Lainey and I have to go!" She tugged on my arm, like an excited little kid.

Uncle Martin was clearly amused. He'd never seen me with my friends before and he indulged my roommate's whimsy with all the excitement of a favorite uncle. "A delight to meet you too, dear. And if you have to go, I mustn't keep you!" His eyes sparkled and I knew Amy loved him instantly. I managed only a quick hug and goodbye before Amy dragged me into the limo.

We waved to him as we started away and Amy gushed, "Wow, he's adorable."

"He is. I miss him already. And I don't think I'm that late?" I was maybe a little behind schedule, but not enough to warrant the fretting and rushing my roommate was doing.

"You are," she insisted. "Because I have a surprise! Happy birthday!" She was grinning and practically vibrating and that's when I realized: "Have you had some champagne?"

"Maybe just a little." She shrugged and before I could say anything, she went on, "Anyway, I know you said you didn't want any presents blah-blah-blah, but you need this. It's perfect for you and I don't know why I never thought of it sooner. No protests. Drink this"-she handed me a bottle of water from a little cooler-"and thank me profusely later."

What she got me, it turned out, was a ma.s.sage.

I'D HAD Ma.s.sAGES before, mostly to help with my "migraines" before coming to Northbrook solved that problem for me. It was the only treatment I ever liked, but none of them compared to the one Amy got me. The salon, really a spa, where we had our hair and nail appointments, was the fanciest one in the area. You had to make Winter Ball appointments a whole year in advance, and now I understood why.

After a magical ninety minutes of hot stone ma.s.sage followed by a private, million-nozzle steam shower, I felt amazing. Relaxed, limber, and practically weightless. Amy was right-a ma.s.sage was exactly what I needed. Actually, she'd probably argue that I needed them more often, but today's at least was the perfect present. I didn't care that I only had time to get my nails or my hair done. I chose nails, because my roommate was pretty handy with a hairbrush. I felt so good, I was even looking forward to the dance.

When I finally got back to our room, Amy looked amazing and had polished off nearly an entire bottle of champagne, all with no help from me. Because of the combination of those things, she wasn't nearly as concerned about the state of my readiness as she should have been.

"You've got a lot to do, miss, and not much time to do it," she admonished me and thrust my own gla.s.s of champagne into my hand. "Starting with this."

"This didn't go so well for me last year," I told her, but I took a sip anyway. It was just as bubbly and sweet as I remembered it.

"No," she countered. "This is exactly what you need to keep yourself from reverting to your natural state of stressing. Drink up, and let's get you done."

We talked while she fussed over me, doing my makeup and helping braid my hair in a sort of crown I used to practice on myself during my frequent hours of alone time before Northbrook. It was nice just to be with my roommate without drama. I sipped the champagne-slowly-and let her cheer fill me up better than the drink ever could.

"Why is it such a big deal here, the Ball?" I asked, eyes closed while she worked her magic on my hair. Almost everyone who could go-soph.o.m.ores, juniors, and seniors-went. Freshmen were allowed as dates, but no students from the lower school. I'd have thought more people would skip it, would be too cool or not want to go alone or whatever. But they didn't.

"Well, it's tradition. Everybody goes. That's what you hear from your first day here, so by the time it's your turn, you want to go. It's a chance, well, three chances, to get dressed up and have fun and show off and be out way past curfew with all your friends."

"Everybody has prom though, and they don't all go."

"Yeah, but a lot of them do. My friends from home all go and they have a million other things they could do. But us? We have campus and the bookstore. Curfew, like I said. The Ball is the thing we get to do. So"-she pulled my head back with the brush and I opened my eyes to see her wicked grin-"we f.u.c.king do it."

Amy had pitched a fit when I confessed I didn't want to go, and between her and Carter, I'd caved easily. How could I disappoint both of them like that? And how could it possibly be worse than last year? That was probably a dangerous question, but I was pretty sure last year couldn't be topped. Now I was feeling so relaxed about, just, everything, I was determined to make this year's dance great. Or at least not a debacle.

Amy had also pitched a fit when my dress came in the mail at the last minute, mostly because I hadn't let her choose for me, but I knew it was perfect when I saw it online. And I was right. I kept looking at where it hung on the back of the bathroom door. The silk was deep emerald and the skirt flowed all the way to my feet, but the top had a low V in the front and tiny straps that slipped up my arms and over my shoulders to keep it in place, leaving my back completely bare to the waist. It was a dress I could imagine my mother would have worn, s.e.xy but relaxed and with some mystery, and I couldn't wait to put it on.

When Amy finished her work, she playfully turned my head from side to side while we watched in the mirror. "You know I like your hair down best, but this hairdo is going to look awesome when they crown you."

"Ugh. Would you stop with that? It's not going to happen."

"You wait. It is." Before I could protest, she wrapped her arms around my shoulders from behind in a fierce hug. "I love you, Young, you know that, right? I can't even imagine what it would be like without you anymore. Happy birthday."

"Love you too, babe." We stayed like that for a few moments. Then I bit her on the forearm and she jumped away with a squeal.

"b.i.t.c.h!" she yelled, giggling. "I'm going to return your birthday present."

"Too late!" I gave a languid stretch of my arms over my head. "And it was awesome. Thank you. Again. Even though I asked you not to get me anything."

"You didn't ask me to get your other present either..."

"What?!"

She reclined on her bed, carefully spreading the fluttery tiers of her skirt, and patted an overnight bag I hadn't noticed next to it on the floor. "I'll be gone tonight, so you, you know, have the place to yourself."

I laughed. "You know what? It does feel like last year all over again."

"Not really. This time I'm wearing black and I know you'll actually take advantage of an empty room." She was wearing black, a color she rarely chose, so it made her look extra dramatic. Her halter dress enhanced her already sizable a.s.sets, and had an asymmetrical skirt of chiffon ruffles that made it fun instead of severe. I'd missed dress shopping with her this year, but she never needed my help anyway. "Plus," she added, "I mean I'll be gone all night."

"What? How?"

Very fast, as if all one word and with at least two exclamation points, she said, "Wegotaroomatthehotel!!"

"What? How?" I repeated, just like an owl.

"Caleb's leaving in the morning for a college trip and he got permission."

There was still something missing. Knowing Amy as I did, she should have been talking about this for weeks. Instead, she was springing it on me now, moments before we were leaving. I knew some other students got rooms; their parents gave permission and they took cars or cabs home in the morning. But Amy's parents weren't the kind who'd do that.

Bingo.

"What about your permission?"

Amy tapped her perfectly painted nails-they were black with sparkly silver stripes and I wanted to copy them immediately-on the wall and cleared her throat. I wondered if she thought by telling me at the last minute, I might not ask. "Who's going to notice?"

"Ame..." I started and she sighed dramatically, but I continued. "I know, I know, but it's not a good idea. Just stay there for a while and come back before morning. Is it really worth the risk?"

"For an entire night and the chance to wake up together for, like, the first time ever? Yeah. Besides, there's no risk."

"That's not-"

"Lane," she said and her tone told me there was no convincing her otherwise. "I'll see you in the morning sometime. Drink your champagne and relax, okay? Now it does feel like last year again," she added and giggled, our moment of disagreement was forgotten. I knew anything I said would be wasting my breath, so I finished my champagne like she suggested. I wouldn't, however, let her pour me another gla.s.s.

THE BALLROOM WAS just as beautiful as last year, though entirely different, in a color scheme of royal blue and cream with tiny hints of maroon in some lights and decorations. Naturally then, Alexis was in a dress of vibrant red that shined as if she'd been spotlit. The satin hugged her like skin, with a sweetheart neckline and a long skirt that looked impossible to move in but so sophisticated. In comparison, my simple green dress suddenly felt plain.

"Wow, over-the-top much?" Amy said when she saw where I was looking and I squeezed her hand in solidarity.

From behind me, Carter whispered in my ear, "Not even half as beautiful as you."

"Besides, I bet she can't even dance in that thing!" Amy added.

"You guys are the best." Sometimes a girl didn't mind a few little white lies.

Alexis was a sure standout, but Brooke's short dress was probably the best one in the whole room. It looked almost vintage, with a fitted strapless top that made her waist look impossibly small and a flouncy skirt that didn't quite hit her knees. Under the top layers of the skirt was a bohemian sort of pattern that was so unique and all Brooke. The gold sparkles matched the amber in her eyes.

When Dr. Stewart made her way to the podium to announce Winter Queen my stomach began to flutter. I realized I was repeatedly smoothing my dress across my legs and stopped. Amy caught my eye and gave me a thumbs up.

"Dork," I muttered, but her goofy grin made me laugh. A year ago, I wouldn't have thought it possible that I could even be a candidate. But tonight, I might win. A lot of me didn't want that, but I'd be a liar if I said it was all of me. Carter squeezed my hand as we waited.

Next to us, Caleb said, "Where's the crown?"

Exactly what I was thinking, but pretending not to. Something was up. Last year, someone had carried the little tiara onto the stage behind the headmaster. In her best headmaster voice, Dr. Stewart welcomed us and thanked us and commented on the long tradition of the Winter Ball and after not very long it all sounded to me exactly like radio static. I just wanted her to get it over with and announce my name or not.

Finally, finally she said, "And it seems that this year, for the first time in the Ball's long history, we have no Winter Queen." Gasps and murmurs filled the air and my stomach plummeted. Alexis's jaw dropped perilously close to her knees. After a pause long enough to make us all uncomfortable, she said, "We have two."

Two soph.o.m.ores carried two matching tiaras up to the front, while Dr. Stewart called, "A return queen, Miss Alexis Morrow, and new queen Miss Elaine Young," and my whole face became one huge grin. I'd never have guessed the headmaster had any sort of flair for the dramatic, but boy did she.

"s.h.i.t," Amy muttered, but I wasn't even trying to hide my delight. A tie! I'd sort of won! But I hadn't completely taken the crown from Alexis and she cared way more than I did.

"Please congratulate them both," Dr. Stewart continued, "and also, wish Miss Young a happy birthday!" It dawned on me that she'd probably known about this all day. My visit to her office seemed so long ago.

"Guess I really should have voted for myself," I mused as I started toward the front. I could hear Amy groaning behind me. But then she had to get up and follow, because despite her worries and mine, she was elected to the court too. When they called Brooke's name, I was even more thrilled.

The only person not thrilled was Alexis. I could see it in the stretch of her smile and the shine of her eyes. She was proud and beautiful, waiting for her crown, but also disappointed. I took my place next to her on the little stage and whispered, "I voted for you. Just so you know."

She was surprised. More surprised than the tie. I didn't think it crossed her mind that her compet.i.tion might support her. After a longer pause than even Dr. Stewart's she said, "Thanks. I guess I wouldn't be up here if it wasn't for you."

"Not really," I said. "It's not like I cast all the votes. And I voted for the girl who I thought made the best queen."

After she'd leaned down to receive her crown and I'd done the same, during the whoops and applause of our cla.s.smates, Alexis surprised me. "Just by saying that you proved yourself wrong. But thank you anyway. This"-she cleared her throat-"means a lot to me."

"I know," I said, and to both our continued shock, I hugged her. A stiff second later she hugged me back. But not for too long.

"Your cast is giving me a bruise," she said and pulled away. I smiled, because that was Alexis.

After that, we danced. And laughed, and shouted along to the music, and partied, and by the end, hugged and cried. It was the Winter Ball of our senior year and it was amazing. Everything I'd hoped it would be. It felt like nothing bad could possibly happen, tonight or ever again, and I realized I'd been wrong earlier: last year actually could be topped, except in a good way. A whole night dancing in the warm safety of Carter's arms, surrounded by friends and even a few enemies who were having just as much fun as me-it was so perfect it didn't seem real. But it was.

Before it ended, Amy and Caleb were ready to sneak upstairs, and I gave them each a last hug goodbye. "Be careful, and don't be too late," I told Amy.

"You be careful," she said, laughing. "'Night, Lane. Night, Penrose. I love you guys." She gave her dress one more twirl before she slipped out the door.

Carter was standing behind me, arms around my waist, while I leaned into him and swayed to the music. "They were happy tonight," he said and I nodded my head against his chest.

"It was a great night."

"No. It was perfect."

I smiled and tilted my head way back so he could see me looking up at him. "It kind of was, wasn't it?"

He leaned down to kiss me, lightly, once on the lips. Silly and awkward, it was the best kiss of the evening. So far.

"You know what's even better?" I asked.

"What?"

"The night's not over yet."

Chapter Seventeen.

In the morning, I slept late-way late-and lounged in bed for a long time. There was no reason not to; Carter was long gone and I had nothing I had to do. I felt like the longer I stayed there, the longer it was still part of the night before. Amy wasn't back yet, which would have worried me if I was letting myself worry about a single thing.

My lips tightened into a surely pouty line across my face. I envied Amy, I realized. I could have gotten off-campus privileges for the night if only I'd thought to ask. But I could still get them today. I decided to call Carter, knowing he'd be up even though he wasn't working, and have him take me to Dad's.

As I reached for the phone, my Winter Queen crown caught my eye and brought back my smile. I plucked it off my bedside table and balanced it on my messy hair. Hidden underneath it, half poking out from under my alarm clock-which Amy said was archaic and I should just use my phone like everyone else-was something that didn't belong there. An envelope.

The edge of a bright green sticky note was just visible. On it was my name in Ms. Kim's handwriting. A birthday card, I thought. Yay! She must have given it to Amy when I was still at the spa, and Amy promptly forgot about it.

But under the sticky note was a message scrawled by Uncle Martin about how I'd been rushed away before he could give this to me. It was a birthday something, just not from Ms. Kim. This was the envelope from Daniel Astor. Inside was a handful of pages, topped with a note.

Dear Lainey, A very happy birthday along with my gift to you. I saw no reason for you to wait for these. I look forward to learning what you choose.

Best, D.A.

Folded underneath were personal acceptance letters from all of my top colleges.

THE LETTERS SLID from my hands and I watched my future scatter across the floor while my heart began to race. When I bent to retrieve the papers, my silly tiara toppled off my head and one of the rhinestones popped loose. I kicked it, sending it to sparkle alone under my bed.

Hands shaking, I picked up the letters, one by one, and read them again. And again. They said nothing remarkable, Congratulations on your acceptance to...We look forward to seeing you in the fall..., but they were here, all of them, and it was only February. It's not that I wasn't expecting to be accepted, but...what? Why was this bothering me so much?