My dad’s ancestors were potato farmers from Galway. My family’s a mix of Hungarian, Swedish, Chinese, Dutch, and a few other things.” The way she is sitting, I can just make out a tattoo on her left thigh-a flower?-and a sliver of her black lace panties. She grabs a bottle of nail polish from her nightstand and starts painting her toenails.

There is a purple silk quilt on her bed that looks impossibly glamorous.ĭevon plops down on the quilt and kicks off her ballerina flats. Her desk is cluttered with makeup, tampons, an iPod, a white laptop, and what look like birth control pills. She’s hung framed posters on the yellow-rose wallpaper: a Vogue cover from the sixties, an ad for a German production of the opera Aida, and photos of Billie Holiday and Amy Winehouse. Devon, who must have arrived on the early side of check-in, has already taken possession of her half. I glance around the room, which is so much bigger than my own at home. My voice drifts as I picture my wardrobe, Old Navy circa 2010, folded neatly in my one suitcase. that is, I wasn’t sure what I was supposed to. Come on, show me the clothes you brought. She has perfect teeth-braces, obviously-and I instinctively clamp my mouth shut. Frith and turns to me with a dazzling smile. Can’t wait.” Devon closes the door after Mrs. Don’t forget the Welcome Tea at four, in the downstairs parlors. Frith to start yelling or give Devon a detention or something. “Yeah, like all the best places on campus to get high and make out,” Devon says merrily.

She’s been here since ninth grade, so she can fill you in on anything you need to know.” “I’ll leave you to unpack and get settled,” Mrs. Her long, silky black hair looks striking against her crisp white blouse and plaid school jumper. She is tall, maybe five ten, and reminds me of an Amazon warrior. “Hi, Tess! Welcome to Thorn Abbey!” Devon steps forward and gives me a quick, fierce hug. I enter, hesitating in the doorway as two enormous emerald eyes size me up. Frith, moves aside as she makes the introductions and waves me into my new room.

Always, Forever by Nancy Ohlin