Read Online Bounders by Monica Tesler - Free Book Online

say I didn’t warn you.”
    That annoys me. Who is Cole, anyway? My dad? I shrug. Whatever. I don’t feel like fighting. Not when my heart is still pounding from what Marco and I just saw.
    â€œHow’d you like the chute?” I say, changing the subject.
    â€œThe feeling of zero gravity combined with the suction pull was exhilarating.”
    â€œRight,” I say. “It was awesome.”
    We follow Ridders to the boys’ dormitory. The room stretches way back, with bunks stacked four high on either side. The bunks are built in to the walls like racks on a ship. Beneath the bunks are pullout storage bins.
    â€œListen up,” Ridders says. “Everybody gets a bunk, all seventy-six of you. Look at the bunk number, and find your matching bin underneath. That’s where you store your stuff. Out of sight, all the time. The plebes will be here soon with your luggage. Grab your bag. Claim your bunk. Understood?”
    We grunt our agreement as eyes turn toward the line of bunks. Scoping.
    â€œWhat do you think?” I ask Cole.
    â€œDefinitely the front,” he says.
    â€œReally?” The front bunks are the last place I would have picked. I may not be that sharp at social stuff, but I’m pretty sure front bunks are for losers.
    Marco waltzes over and jabs me in the ribs. “What’s up, Jasper? Wiki? We’re gonna claim the back row of bunks. You in?”
    Cole’s eyes narrow. “Jasper and I are claiming the front bunks.”
    A lopsided smile spreads across Marco’s face. “The front. Hmmm. That’s your plan, Jasper?”
    I look from Cole to Marco and back again. It’s a critical moment. The way I figure it, Marco couldn’t care less if I say yes to him. In fact, he may just be toying with me to annoy Cole. But Cole’s a different story. To Cole, this moment is a true test of our new friendship.
    I take a deep breath. I really don’t want to be pegged a dork. Still, I like Cole. He’s smart and serious and seems to know more about Earth Force than most of the other cadets. And Addy said he was a good first friend. Addy always has it right about people.
    â€œYep. The front. That’s my plan.”
    Marco nods. Then he laughs. “See ya, suckers.”
    The plebes march in with our bags. Cole runs ahead to claim the front bunks. He squats on the third bunk up and tosses his shoes on the high bunk. The funny thing is, at least two-thirds of the cadets dash for the front.
    The plebes heft the luggage on top of the long tables that stretch down the center of the dorm, separating the two rows of bunks. As I scan the pile for my bags, a couple of cadets hassle Cole over the top bunk. He holds firm. Once I grab my duffels and my clarinet case, I head over.
    â€œYour turn,” I say. “I’ll hold the bunks.”
    â€œThanks.” Cole nods at the top bunk. “It’s all yours.”
    As I climb the side ladder to my bunk, I’m confused. The top is clearly the best. You can see the entire dorm from the high perch, and there’s a lot more head room than the other bunks. At first I can’t figure out why Cole gave it to me. Then I realize it’s his way of saying thanks for choosing him over Marco. Okay, sure. He owed me the top bunk. And in this group, it looks like the front is the best anyhow. As long I keep my klutzy ways in check, things should shape up nicely at the EarthBound Academy.
    Most of the cadets set to work, unpacking their bags and stowing their belongings. A guy a few bunks down keeps yelling out letters. I think he’s alphabetizing his stuff. I shove everything into my bin as fast as I can and then retreat to my bunk. It will be a pain to dig things out later, but I can’t keep anything organized anyhow. As I scan the dorm from above, I see I’m not the only cadet who took that approach.
    The freckly kid, whose name turns out to be Ryan, snagged the rack next to