Initiation by Jessica Burkhart

I madesure no one’s fingers were anywhere but the mug handle before pouring the steaming kettle water in last.
    â€œThanks, Lauren!” Lexa said.
    â€œNow it’s an official tea party!” Khloe said. “Let’s grab the window seat and chat.”
    Lexa and I followed Khloe. The window seat was tucked away from the center of the common room.
    We sank into the black cushions, Khloe and I with our backs against the wall and Lexa cross-legged in the middle. The window looked out over the tennis court and outdoor pool. Two of Canterwood’s many facilities that I couldn’t wait to use.
    â€œSo, when did you start at Canterwood?” I asked Lexa, gesturing to her with my mug.
    â€œSixth grade,” she said. “Same year as Khlo. My parents sent me here for the academics, but I came to ride. ”
    â€œOh, yay! Another rider!” I grinned. “Did you bring your own horse?”
    â€œOnly the love of my life! My mare, Honor,” Lexa said. “You?”
    â€œI’ve got a mare, too. Her name’s Whisper and I just got her over the summer, so we’re still getting used to each other. But I totally understand what you mean. I’m already so in love with Whisper. I can’t imaginehow I’ll feel after we’ve had a whole year to bond.”
    â€œWhisper’s such a pretty name,” Lexa said. “I bet our horses are all going to be friends.”
    Khloe looked back and forth between us, smiling like she was keeping the juiciest secret ever kept!
    â€œKK, you know you want to spill something,” Lexa said, beating me to it.
    â€œYeah,” I encouraged. “I don’t know all of your tell-tale ‘looks’ yet . . . but even I can tell you’re dying to say something. So I agree with Lexa—spill away.” I smiled to encourage her further.
    â€œIt’s just . . . tea party love. My new roomie and my best bestie are bonding.” She fanned her eyes with her right hand, fingers splayed, pretending to fight off tears. “It’s a lovefest.”
    Lexa rolled her eyes but we were both laughing. “Aaand . . . we can bond even more if we have classes together,” Lexa teased. She half stood, pulling a folded piece of paper from the back pocket of her jeans. “Schedules?”
    â€œMine’s in our room,” Khloe said.
    â€œMine too,” I said.
    Khloe set her mug on the table next to her. “I glanced at it, but I don’t remember it at all. I’ll grab it. Lauren, want me to get yours?”
    â€œMine’s on top of my desk,” I said. “Thank you so much, Khlo.”
    Khloe held up her hands in a stop-everything motion. “Did you just say Khlo ?” she asked.
    Oh no . My first day and I’d already called my roommate by a name she clearly hated.
    â€œOmigod, I’m so—”
    â€œI’ve been LT’d!” Khloe broke in joyously.
    â€œWait,” I said, heart pounding. “You liked when I called you that?”
    Lexa broke in as Khloe nodded emphatically. “Way to traumatize your new roommate on day one.” Lexa shook her head.
    â€œHow?” Khloe asked. “I got LT’d—she gave me a nickname. That’s how we do!”
    â€œBecause I like you,” Lexa said to me with a smile. “I’m going to give you a crash course in Khloe 101.”
    â€œI’ll take it!” I said. I made a come-here motion with my hands. “Lay it on me.”
    â€œFirst: never take her too seriously.”
    â€œGot it,” I said.
    â€œExcept—and this is rule number two—if you see tears.”
    â€œReally?”
    â€œReally,” Lexa said. “Khloe never cries. So if she does, something is wrong. And last?”
    â€œYes?”
    â€œKhloe is the funnest person of anyone I know. You won the roommate lottery.” Lexa smiled kindly. “And from what I can tell, so did she. So have fun . This