Lyra's POV
Two months had passed since I started at Alpha Academy, and this Saturday marked my very first party invitation. Well, technically Poppy received the invitation, but she insisted she would rather spend the evening with me than attend without her roommate. After my grueling morning training session with Ash, I found myself surrendering to Poppy's enthusiasm as she transformed our dorm room into a beauty salon.
Seven or eight dresses cascaded across my bed like a rainbow of silk and satin, while Poppy positioned me in her desk chair and rolled over her enormous makeup collection. She perched cross-legged on a stool, wielding brushes like an artist preparing to create a masterpiece on my face.
"So," she began with a mischievous glint in her eyes, "tell me about Ash."
"He's fine," I responded a bit too quickly, my voice tight. "Just fine."
