Free Storybound by Marissa Burt Page A

don’t care why you’re here. I don’t care why Elton forced me to take you as a roommate. I only know that because of you . . . I failed my practical.”
    Una took a step back as Snow moved toward her.
    Snow punctuated each phrase with her pointing red fingernail. “That’s right. Failed. So . . . whoever you are . . . whyever you’re here . . . stay out of my way.”
    Una didn’t know what to say. One of the little birds raised a tiny head and looked sympathetically at her. At least Una thought it was sympathetic. It was hard to tell with birds.
    “Are you stupid as well as ugly?” Snow asked. “Hello! Anyone home?”
    “I heard what you said.” Una forced her mouth into a smile. Maybe she could request a different roommate. But that would probably mean asking for Mr. Elton’s help. Her cheeks started to hurt. Better to avoid Elton as much as possible. Una opened her satchel and began to put away the clothes Peter had borrowed for her.
    “Uh-uh-uh,” Snow interrupted. “The bureau’s mine, dear. I’m sure you understand. Princess-in-training and all that.” Snow gave an affected little laugh and plopped back down onto the bed.
    Una didn’t say anything.
    After a too-long pause, Snow went on, “I have ever so many garments, you see. My aunt insists I only wear the newest fashions. How very . . . quaint  . . . your dress is. I always wish I could have such”—Snow paused dramatically—“ simple tastes, but Auntie makes me shop at Lady Godiva’s.”
    Another affected laugh from Snow. Another short silence. Quaint. Simple. Instantly, Una felt frumpy and out of fashion. She folded the rest of the garments Peter had borrowed for her. For each item Snow had a commentary: That one was adorable. Another, darling. Una was a dear for liking such plain things. Una gritted her teeth.
    What would happen if she threw all of Snow’s pretty dresses out the window? But that would probably mean getting in trouble. Snow’s not worth that. Una tucked her satchel under the bed and gathered her cloak.
    Snow’s giggles subsided, and she sat up, cross-legged, on her bed. “I heard Peter Merriweather is in love with you,” she said. “Is it true?”
    Yeah, right . Una smiled sweetly at Snow. “You can’t believe everything you hear.”
    “What about the things you see?” Snow hopped up and peered into the mirror. She tied a ribbon under her hair and pulled it over her forehead to make a crimson headband. “I could have sworn he was as surprised as me to find you in that cave,” Snow went on, tying off the nearly perfect bow. “You know, the examiners were very interested in your appearance in the practical. I rather think they want to know more about you.” She paused and studied her reflection. “I told them I didn’t know anything, of course, but I suppose soon I’ll know everything about you, what with us being roomies!” Snow snatched her cloak from a peg on the wall and snapped her fingers. A squirrel raced up and leaned against a button that released the dorm room door. She turned to give Una one more fake smile and said over her shoulder, “And if we have any roommate problems, I’m sure the examiners will be glad to help. Right, roomie?”

Chapter 9
    U na wrapped her cloak more tightly about her shoulders and readjusted the satchel Peter had loaned her. “She was awful, you guys. I am so not overexaggerating.”
    “Snow’s not that bad,” Peter said as he led the way down the wooded path.
    “You don’t have to live with her,” Una said. Snow’s threat about the Examiners unnerved her more than she wanted to admit. “Let’s just say I’ll be spending as little time in my dorm room as possible.”
    Peter handed Una a red apple. “Rooming with Snow has to be better than the blanket closet.”
    “I’m not so sure about that,” Una said. She twisted the apple stem until it popped off. “I just hope she’s not in all of my classes. Does everybody take the same