Page 14 of The Commons

“Has that ever been your job?” Levon interrupts, turning on her phone’s camera.

“No, but⁠—”

“Whose job is that?”

“Yours, but⁠—”

“No buts!”

“Just because you’re my older sister doesn’t mean I can’t worry about you.”

“Focus on winning competitions and get into a good school, and avoid listening to your rich friends ramble about their Commons applications.”

“Got it. Trust me, I have no interest in The Commons, except to maybe visit you. Or know what it’s like for you.”

“You know we can’t have visitors. And it’s not worth knowing. It’ll just drag you down to the deadly world of Commonda.”

“Commonda is deadly?” I ask, confused.

“I didn’t say that.”

“Yes, you did!”

“I didn’t. Shantavia, I have to go.”

“But why? We haven’t even talked for that long.”

“I’m sorry. My phone call privileges are up for today. Win math and science nationals and don’t worry about me.”

I hear a door slam. Levon’s eyes widen. My camera screen turns to black.

“Levon, are you okay?”

Silence.

“Levon! Levon!”

Her phone goes dead.

I take deep breaths to stop the ocean of fear flooding my brain. My heart pounds. Who came into the room that made my audacious sister so afraid? Why did she say the island was deadly?

I have read all the books I can find about The Commons.

The Commons is supposed to be the prize, the reward, the promised land. Not the reverse.

And certainly, not deadly!

I quickly wipe my tears away upon hearing footsteps from outside. I stash the picture and return to my bed. Closing my eyes, I cover myself under the canopy of my ocean blue blanket. I try to feign sleep as Beatrice steps into the room, watching us like a hawk. It is one minute before bedtime, and she is already here to make sure everyone is asleep. I tighten my fists and hold my breath to avoid being noticed by her. In the back of my mind, I recite the first seven rules of The Commons and review my plan to get around them. But I am deeply terrified of class tomorrow. From what happened at The Selection, which I’m still not sure of what really happened but, I hope I don’t see a single Patron, or I know they will make me suffer.

CHAPTER 4

Patronizing Plans

It is the first day of classes.

I am jarred awake by Beatrice snatching the curtains open while yelling at the top of her lungs, “Time to wake up!” Bright lights shine down on me through the chandeliers, and I crack one eye open to see what all the fuss is about.

“You have exactly ten minutes to get ready,” she yells out, now standing in the center of the room.