Briar Preparatory Academy

Remember the Good Things

Celeste POV

I pull open the door to my dorm quickly, slipping in quietly to see if there is a note on my bed. I checked after breakfast, but there was nothing. I thought the letters were finished coming, but turns out the mail was just running late. I have to check quickly today, since it is the day of the Gala. Students are excused from all classes and have the entire day to get ready, which means Kate will be back from lunch any minute. Even though she knows about the letters, I don't want to show her any more. I worry about how she will react. I don't want her freaking out on me.

I close the door behind me and my eyes land on a solid black envelope on my bed. The letters have always been delivered in taupe colored envelopes. I don't know what the black packaging could mean. The writer wanted to set this one apart from the others. I sit down on the edge of the bed and stare at the envelope, my mind warring on whether to open it now or later. Something holds me back from opening this one, maybe simply because I want to leave all of this behind.

I pick up the envelope off my bed and tear it open quickly. I unfold the letter and feel my heart rate start to spike as I read the neat words on the paper.

South Courtyard at 23:00 sharp. Come alone.

I feel my heart beating hard in my chest and I hear a rushing in my ears. Should I go? What could happen? Someone wants me at 11 o'clock, for what I don't know. I allow my eyes to wander to the box under my bed. I haven't opened it since I returned from being kidnapped, but I know by heart what sits at the top.

Jasper's gun.

I took it from him when I escaped from his base and I have had it ever since. I've kept it, and I have no idea why. I want to say it's the voice of revenge in my head telling me one day I will kill him with it. But I honestly have no idea if I could take the life of another human being if it ever were to come to that. Even if it were Jasper on the wrong end of the barrel. I could not kill in cold blood like he can.

I get down to my knees, pulling the box out from under my bed. I undo the latch and take out the pistol, feeling the weight in my hand. It is foreign and all too familiar. A haunting feeling of remembrance mixed with fear.

I hate it.

I quickly set the gun back in the box and fold up the letter, laying it beside the gun and placing both back inside the box. I promptly shut the lid and slide it back under the bed. I have a lot to think about. I stand up and pace back and forth across my dorm. I run my hands through my hair, weighing the situation. Going could mean my death, but how many lives would be spared? Is it worth it? Ultimately what is my life worth?

I stop pacing when a silver glimmer catches my eye from across the room. Hanging on my dresser is my gown for the Gala. I walk over to it, running my fingers over the sequins and jewels delicately.

If I were to meet whoever this person is after the Gala, I would miss the after-party. Every year, after the teachers leave, the students have an after party in the educational building. The Gala ends around 8:45 or 9 and then students go to their dorms to wait for teachers to leave. At about 10, all the students, still in their Gala attire, meet in the school building and the party continues for however long (practically all night) with no adult supervision. What would be the best way to sneak out?

I could always leave the party early, sneak out the back door around 10:30 and head to my dorm to change. Wearing a tight dress and heels isn't very conducive if I need to fight anyone or run. After changing in my dorm I could head straight to the southern court yard. I would be there by 11 easy.