Awoken (The Lucidites Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page B

tomorrow. Please locate your group and room number and go there now.” Trey bows before walking off stage. From our first visit I appreciated how concise and delicate he was when he spoke. As I watch his retreating back I’m torn, because now I also know he employs a bunch of liars.
    Half the group claps in a noncommittal fashion. The rest of us stare in a daze. I locate my name in the third group. There’s four. I’m in room number 300. People file through an exit at the back of the room. As I descend the stairs a realization washes over me making my eyes narrow resentfully. Ren could have snuck me in through this back entrance. Instead he thought it would be funny to prance me soaking wet and confused in front of my competition. That redheaded, British jerk.
    Back in the silver hallway, the smell of citrus and mint tingles my nose with the urge to sneeze. This combination of scents reeks of artificial cleanliness.
    Some kids file in the opposite direction or drop off. I follow the rest of the group into an elevator. I don’t make eye contact or even pay the least bit of attention to anyone. For the rest of my life I want to mind my own business and have everyone leave me alone. It’s a big request, but I’m a heartless optimist. This combination could make me lethal, but mostly it has led to a successful hermit lifestyle.
    When the elevator arrives I hang back to let everyone get off first. I march, forcing my breath to slow as anger burns in my veins. I’ve been waiting for it to erupt and it happens about the time my humiliation fades.
    A guy with spiky blond hair stops to tie his shoe. When he stands back up and continues walking he’s in stride with me.
    “Hey there,” he says light-heartedly.
    “Hey,” I manage.
    He wears the navy blue T-shirt everyone else is wearing. On the front is an eye and around it a squiggly circle. Underneath that are the words “Focus=Life.” I laugh to myself. Are the Lucidites branding us like we’re their Olympians? I won’t be caught dead in one of those shirts.
    “You just got here?” the boy asks with a subtle southern drawl.
    “Didn’t realize I was late to the party,” I say a bit more resentfully than I intend.
    “Not sure if you’ve checked, but no one’s really partying.” A reluctant smile tugs at his mouth. “I just got here myself. I beat you by about ten or fifteen minutes. That was enough time for Shuman to throw me a T-shirt and get me to orientation. She’s such a sweetheart, isn’t she?”
    Bile washes up my throat. It tastes bitter in my mouth. I swallow hard, pushing the tension I’m carrying to the bottom of my stomach. I decide it wise to keep my mouth shut about Shuman, Ren, and just about everything else Lucidite . Faking a smile, I sing, “Yeah, she’s fabulous.”
    “My name’s Joseph.”
    “Good for you,” I say, keeping my eyes on my feet.
    “Should I just call you Ms. Stark?” Joseph prods.
    “Sure,” I allow as we file into our living quarters.
     

Chapter Five
    B unks sit along the two main walls. Why didn’t they just call these barracks? That’s exactly what they are. I half expected I’d be given a room all to myself like what I had at Bob and Steve’s. Instead I find my name neatly written on a sign attached to a bottom bunk. Joseph stops when I do and stares at the sign.
    “You’re Roya?” Joseph gives a triumphant smile and then nods. “I thought so.”
    “What’s that supposed to mean, that you thought so?” I ask.
    “Don’t worry about it.” He scans the room. “I think my bunk is down here.” He strides away, looking smug.
    Neatly folded on top of my bunk is the navy blue T-shirt, a pair of light green scrub-type pants, flip-flops, and a small foam stress ball with the logo neatly printed on it. I shove it all under my bed. This is where it will reside for the entirety of my stay—which will be short.
    The smell of moss and dirt assaults my nostrils, making me cringe. It’s me. I keep my head