The Boarding School Experiment Read Online Free PDF Page A

Zukowski’s trailer. When no one answered, I went around back. The burnt plastic smell lingered in the air, strongest by the rear window, which was patched with duct tape and cardboard. It didn’t take a genius to figure out this was Rhys’s room.
    Get ready for a visitor, Rhys . I gripped the rough hollows of a concrete block, turned it on its side, and leaned my weight into it so the other end settled into the dirt. When the block was stable enough, I climbed up and knocked. No response. I pressed against the cardboard. The corner bent, freeing a wave of acrid air straight to the back of my throat. I gagged and peered in. The same paneling that lined my brothers’ room lined Rhys’s walls. A charred chemistry set sat on the corner of a desk laden with books. An unmade bed wedged into the corner. Rhys wasn’t in. Not a surprise, since no one would survive the smell for more than a few minutes.
    Feeling a relief I shouldn’t, I released the flap and stepped down. My foot landed beside a cracked flowerpot. Ours wasn’t one of those trailer parks with pride or standards. I moved past the broken pottery and into the center row between the trailers. Mom had tried flowerpots too, but each one had disappeared after a day or two. Later, I’d seen them squatting on other people’s porches, growing suspiciously leafy greenery.
    I turned at the sound of a smooth-running engine purring onto our dirt road. If a ride didn’t have screeching breaks, a whining belt, or an odd knock, it didn’t belong to anyone here. Someone had a guest. Once the car parked in the ruts in front of our trailer, I recognized Piper, here to pick me up for my bon voyage party.
    The party, thrown by one of Thane’s football buddies, was really for him, but everyone expected me to be there too. The host promised an epic send-off. I’d talk to Rhys there.
     
    ***
     
    The suburban house was packed full of seniors. I tightened my grip on the red plastic cup and scanned the crowded living room. Rhys wasn’t here. I eased toward the door, trying to stay in the background and out of range of both well-wishers and criers, using Piper as a shield. I’d happily relinquish my share of their dramatic goodbyes to Thane. The sentiment probably fed his big ego, but it just made me feel bad. This lie was going to blow up, big, with Piper as collateral damage.
    Piper squeezed my arm. “Thanks.”
    She’d been thanking me since she picked me up, and her gratitude caused my stomach to churn because once I confessed to Rhys, Piper might be taking my place. I forced a smile and took a sip of the bitter beer. Swallowing hard against a dry throat, I said, “Have you seen Rhys?” My voice sounded hoarse.
    “No, I heard he’s out with Veronica.”
    “I thought he was dating Brooke.”
    “Nah, she was just pissed her parents wouldn’t buy her a Land Rover. But they caved when she started hooking up with him. Rhys promised to be more trouble than a monthly car payment.” Piper leaned closer and lowered her voice. “I also heard Thane caught Rhys with Portia. So, I doubt he’d show up at Thane’s going away party. Portia either.”
    I shouldn’t have felt relief again, but I did. My shoulders eased at the reprieve. I swallowed another gulp. I’d talk to Rhys later tonight when I got home.
    “Look at your smile, I knew you’d like that,” Piper said.
    I let her misinterpret my expression. The fact that Portia had cheated on Thane wasn’t the worst news I’d heard all week, even if it wasn’t the true reason for my lift in spirits.
    “You’re going to have epic stories to tell when you come back for your birthday.” A small frown flitted over Piper’s pale face and her hazel eyes lifted. “You’ll be back your birthday weekend, right?”
    I nodded. “No matter what.” I turned eighteen on Halloween night, and my favorite band was playing at the pavilion. That concert ticket alone would be worth every crap job I worked last summer.
    “Okay,