Not to mention teaching me how to drink without slurping and take tiny bites of everything. With her watching my every move, I can’t take care of the horses. Ho has to do it. Still, I manage to get the dance instructions onto the collar of Orange Tom, and after school Noah and I have our first lesson. When I sneak my basket of supplies up to Jing’s room, Noah is waiting, his arms crossed. “It isn’t that hard,” he announces. “Everyone’s gone except Maggy. Maybe we should practice in my room. That way I can crank up the gramophone and we can hear the music.” Noah considers this. Then he nods slowly, deliberately. A thrill shoots through me. Noah in my room! “If I go down to your room, you have to swear you’ll try.” “I do try, and everybody stares, and they make fun of me when I’m not there.” “How do you know what they do when you’re not there?” “I just do.” “But isn’t Gemma your friend now?” “I guess.” “You don’t sound sure.” I shrug.
