It was five minutes to four o'clock and I had to get up to study. I hadn't touched any of the books that I had taken to the Lloyds over vacation. Mrs. Lloyd had made sure I rested the whole weekend, and though all the sleep did make me feel a little bit better, I had been back at school for several weeks and now had more work than ever. Ellen was a heavy sleeper and fortunately never heard my alarm clock, but since she was sensitive to light, I couldn't work at my desk. I grabbed my pillow and blanket, and tiptoed upstairs to my usual spot. At the end of the hall was the shower room, the only room in the building where the lights were kept on all night. There, at the end of the long row of showers, were five sparkling clean bathtubs. I headed to the tub in the corner and spread out my blanket, placed my pillow at the back, and laid my books on the floor. I had discovered this spot the second week of school, and was a regular here. We weren't supposed to leave our rooms after the "lights out" bell, but I felt confident that no one would find me.
