we should have one. Is there anywhere we can go?”
Madison shook her head, but Julia raised an eyebrow in consideration.
“I’ve always said we should do something down at the boathouse, but we never have. They have cameras. Not on the actual beach, but in the hall on the way there and stuff.”
“Hmm … who watches the security tapes at night? Is it a student or, like, a security person?”
“He’s a security guy, but he’s kind of …” She looked uncomfortable. “He’s just kind of off ….”
“What, like, retarded?”
“Mentally challenged. Yes.” Madison nodded.
“Let’s go talk to him. What time’s he go on to his shift, anyone know?”
“I always see him in there at night. He might be down there now.”
Becca smirked. “Lead the way.”
Madison looked nervous.
“Come on,” said Becca, “don’t be spineless.”
Julia straightened up almost imperceptibly and walked out of the room. Madison followed. Then Becca. They led her to a wing off the great hall.
“That guy?” Becca pointed to the lanky, red-haired boy in the small, all-windowed office.
“That’s him….” said Madison meekly.
Becca adjusted her hair, pulled down her shirt a little and knocked on the door. When he turned to look at her, she smiled and waved. “Hi!”
“Come in?”
“Hi, I’m Becca.” She leaned down and held out a hand, which he took. “What’s your name?”
“Danny.”
“Danny? I like that name.” She smiled again when he did. “So, Danny, I was wondering if you could help me.”
“Help you with what?”
“Some people want to have a little get-together tonight, but we don’t want to get in trouble.” She stuck out her lips a little. “We just don’t want to get told on. And we were just sure that you would be the right person to talk to about that.”
He groaned. “I don’t know….”
Becca smiled. “Oh, come on … it’ll be our little secret! And maybe one of these times when we do it you can come down? Maybe?”
Danny laughed. “That would be nice.”
“Good. So when you see everyone walking down the stairs to this boathouse, you won’t say anything?”
He bared his teeth in worry, but shook his head. “I won’t say anything.”
“Good. Good. That’s very, very sweet of you.” She took his hand. “Thank you so much, Danny. If you ever get in trouble, I’ll take full responsibility. But let’s not let that happen, okay?”
He nodded eagerly.
“I’m going to go now, but I’ll stop by soon to say hello, okay, Danny?” He nodded again.
She walked out and looked at the girls. “Okay, we’re all set.”
“Oh, my God, how did you do it?” Julia asked.
Becca shrugged. “Okay, now we need people. Guys.”
“That’s going to be difficult,” said Madison.
“Why?”
“We’re not allowed in the boys’ dorms.”
“Ugh, are you serious?”
Both of the girls nodded, looking somber.
“Okay, well then I’ll do it. I’m new. I didn’t know.” She gave a wide-eyed dumb-girl look and then smiled.
Madison laughed. “You’re so … ballsy.”
“Take me to the boys.”
Their next stop was a door directly across from the one that led to their own dorms. While Julia and Madison stayed put, Becca walked through it, nonchalantly as could be, and into a long hallway, where she knocked on a door at random.
A chubby but okay-looking guy opened it. He looked surprised to see her.
“Hi, I’m Becca.” She smiled.
“Cam. What’s … what’s up?”
“Hi, Cam,” she said, looking up at him. “We’re having a party at the boathouse. Get as many people as you can to come. I have a bunch of tequila and stuff.”
“Really?”
She nodded. “Tell everyone.”
“Sure. Are you new?”
“Yes, I am. Okay, so tell people. I’ll see you tonight.”
“I will. Nice to meet you.” As soon as he shut the door, she walked to another room a few doors down. She had to tell someone who at least looked like they had friends to tell. It took a few doors until she finally decided she’d told enough people of the right kind.
When she emerged from the boys’ dorms, it was to find Madison and Julia looking impressed.
“Okay, now let’s just get the things we need.” Becca smiled, and set off with her new posse to find cups for beer pong. She didn’t have much beer, but they could just play with water when they ran out.
They returned to their hall with their collection, stolen from the dining hall.
“Hold these.” Becca handed Madison the sleeve of cups she’d been holding.
She set off down the hallway, pounding on every door she passed. “Ladies! Everyone out of your rooms! Come on! Whoooo!”
By the time she reached the end of the hall and her own door, the hallway was filling up. She turned and smiled at them all.
“Good evening, girls. My name is Rebecca Normandy. Call me Becca. Tonight we are sneaking out of our dorms.”
The girls exchanged glances, all looking eager and ready to be told what to do.
“We’re going down to the boathouse. I’ve got a few bottles of tequila, and I’ve already started recruiting the boys.”
“But we’ll get in trouble,” said a small, strawberry-blonde with tight curls, “won’t we?”
“What’s your name?”
“Susan.”
