Free Fear Me Not (The EVE Chronicles) by Sara Wolf

alert. The factions give Gutters something to take pride in - just as humans have national pride for their countries.”
    She reaches over and pats my hand.
    “But do be careful. Sometimes the younger generation forgets that the competition is merely friendly.”
    “Right. Thanks.”
    There’s a beat of quiet.
    “What if I told you I know you guys have really good noses?” I ask.
    “I would ask you who told you that,” Ms. Gianca smiles patiently.
    “What would happen if I told you who told me it?”
    “They would be punished by Gutter law, of course,” Ms. Gianca says automatically. “Anyone who compromises our security on this planet must be dealt with.” She covers her mouth, and tries to make her smile extra sugary, as though she let something slip. “But that’s assuming it was true. It’s not, so you don’t need to worry, okay? I’ll see you tomorrow.”
    She shoos me out of the door and closes it behind me.
    It’s obvious not all Gutters have the frigid self-control of Shadus, or Taj, or hell, even Raine. Ms. Gianca is considerably easier to crack. I store that in my mental notes, and start towards PE. 
     
                            ***
     
    It’s midnight when someone decides to start throwing pebbles at my window.
    Clink.
    I groan and pull the pillow over my head.
    Clink-clink.
    “Raine, get that,” I mumble. But then I realize Raine isn’t here. She’s taking leave for two days for her photoshoot. A bunch of Gutter bodyguards in black suits drove up in a likewise black SUV and shuttled her off. Public relations for Gutters is apparently real serious business – more serious than putting on a good show at the world’s first segregated school. And Raine is the flagship – the most popular Gutter by leaps and bounds. It has to be stressful on her, to be under so much pressure to appear appealing to humans. But she never shows it.
    I tumble out of bed and blearily rub my eyes so I can see out the window. I rub them harder when I realize who it is. Shadus. He’s in a sweater and jeans. I open the window just in time for him to pelt me with one last pebble to the forehead.
    “Ow! Cut it out, Creeps!”
    “A crepe is a French pancake filled with fruit and cream,” He deadpans.
    “Uh.”
    “It sounds like Creeps. Crepes. Creeps,” He tries experimentally. There’s a silence. “That was my attempt at human humor.”
    “Okay, that’s great and all, but did you forget you’re throwing rocks at my window for some reason?” I hiss, not wanting to alarm any of the night guards patrolling.
    “Get dressed and come downstairs.”
    “And get expelled? No thanks!”
    “You won’t get caught. Not if you’re with me.”
    “What does that mean?”
    “ Get dressed . Meet me at the dumpsters you usually sulk behind.”
    “I don’t sul-”
    He’s gone into the shadows before I have the chance to defend myself. I sigh and massage my forehead. Why the hell does he want me to break curfew? If I get caught, that’s a hundred thousand dollars down the drain. But Taj’s words echo in my sleepy head.
    I’ve never seen him speak or interact with a Gutter the way he does with you.
    I throw off my blankets and pull on my jeans. The October air is freezing, so I grab a sweatshirt and take the stairs quietly. The guards only really patrol the downstairs. I wait until a guard passes, then dart out the side door in the lobby – the front door is rigged with an alarm. A girl learned that the hard way the first week.
    I miraculously make it to the dumpster alcove without alerting any guards patrolling. Shadus is leaning against the wall, waiting. He looks up, crimson eyes glimmering like bloodstones in the moonlight.
    “ Finally . You’re slower than a lemak in a sandstorm. Let’s go.”
    “What about the cameras?” I hiss breathlessly. “I wasn’t seen, but they’ve got cameras everywhere –”
    “The cameras are taken care of. Let’s go.”
    He starts off across the