The crowd falls into a sudden, heavy silence as the Headmistress strides toward the podium, the massive cafeteria doors slamming shut behind her with a finality that makes my heart jump. The rhythmic click of her heels echoes through the cavernous space, and every eye in the room is fixed on her. I struggle to stifle a yawn behind my palm, fighting off the thick drowsiness that threatens to pull me under.
Leaning toward Elijah, I whisper, “What time is it, anyway?”
Without taking his eyes off Mrs. Humphrey, he reaches into his pocket. He waits for the Headmistress to glance toward a group of teachers before flicking on his screen, the blue light casting sharp shadows across his face. “Three forty-five.”
“No wonder I’m this tired,” I mutter. “I’ve had two hours of sleep, if I’m lucky.”
