Page 34 of The Commons

“I wish I were, but she even claimed me just now, so you should probably keep your distance for a while.”

“Claimed you? What the heck does that mean?” I thought claiming only happened at The Selection. Not that I even completely knew what it fully meant then. And I certainly don’t know now.

“Oh, Shantavia, you are so naïve. You could learn a thing or two from her.” He walks away, leaving me puzzled and confused.

I keep on walking, but I can’t help but wonder what he means by she “claimed” me. Gosh! At this point, there are too many reasons why Levon could have been in trouble. If someone tried to claim her, she would kill them. My mind is bogged down with uncountable thoughts, all the while knowing I can’t do anything to find Levon this week.

I am planning to head straight to the library to check out what books I can read for the 10 by 10 Challenge. I can’t actually start the challenge until it is feasible that I can complete a book of a million words in a day and comprehend it enough to pass a test on every detail contained in it. Still, I check out a book a day and read as much as I can, just for practice.

I make my way toward the science hallway to exit the building. That’s when I notice a red-haired girl and a slender brunette hiding behind the wall, whispering. I approach close enough to hear them.

“We’ve been watching for ten minutes now, let’s just do it and suffer the consequences.”

“You go first!” the brunette responds.

What are they talking about? Just then, an olive-skinned boy wearing circle-shaped glasses walks up to them. “Oh, goodness, the Chemistry Hallway. My biggest nightmare and dream,” he says.

“What do you mean?” I step forward and ask.

“The Chemistry Hallway is infamous for being where we discover if our destiny lies with a Patron!” the brunette responds.

My mind tries to remember… Commons Binder Rule 5… No romantic relationships with a Patron if you are not one, except if claimed in the 6C Hallway.

This is the 6C. I turn to see another girl speaking with Zavish’s friend, Jordan.

“So give me a run down on what you found out,” she says to Jordan.

“Take it with a grain of salt. My dad is not very helpful, as you know, but he told me that since romantic relationships are forbidden with Patrons, this is our only chance of ever making a move with them. The Chemistry Hallway was created by The Powers That Be to provide a format for romantic relationships between both parties, but it has not succeeded in doing so for the last fifty years. Because no Patron has ever accepted a student’s interest or advances in the 6C.”

“I mean, there’s been three or four times in the last fifty years, so it’s not impossible,” she says.

“My dad says that’s just rumors, that it’s not true,” Jordan says.

“Yeah, but you told me to take what your dad says with a grain of salt,” she mutters.

They smile at each other.

Jordan stops reading his notes, turning to her. “So you don’t want to know anymore, right?”

“What? When did I ever say that? Keep talking.” She turns to him with an animated smile.

“So, here’s how it works,” Jordan responds. “The student must make the first move in the 6C. That’s how you say you are interested in a Patron. These rules are not actually real or written anywhere, they’re just speculated, if that makes sense. It’s more of an unspoken rule.”

“Got it.” Her eyes stay laser focused on Patron Lenon and Patron Pesh as though she’s staring at her targets.

“Students are only allowed to walk the Chemistry Hallway once a year. The student must make the first move in front of the Patrons. And if the Patron accepts, then, I guess that’s the part we don’t really know, because it’s never happened.”

She sighs, her first sign of worry as she turns to him. “Did your dad really say it’s a lost cause?”

“Patrons almost treat students like the plague when it comes to relationships. My dad claims he’s never seen a Patron date a student ever or even look them in the eye. Eyepasses are hardly offered.”

Eyepasses?

“Isn’t that like the chance to look into a Patron’s eye for a few minutes?” she asks Jordan.

“Yeah,” Jordan says. “Freshmen don’t really get them. I’m sure upperclassmen receive them more often.”

“I know. I’ve never gotten one.”