Crave

Grace Foster, 17, sits nervously in the small plane that is taking her to Fairbanks, Alaska. The pilot, whom her uncle Finn hired, makes conversation with her, but her mind is elsewhere. She thinks that in the last 30 days, so much has changed in her life, and it can always get worse.

After a rough landing, Grace arrives in the airport and meets her cousin, Macy. They didn’t spend much time together growing up, though Macy has always been kind. Grace is taken aback by Alaska’s gigantic mountains and frigid temperature—especially compared to her balmy hometown of San Diego, California. Macy gives her winter gear, like snow pants, a helmet, and goggles, before strapping her suitcases on the back of a snowmobile. Uncle Finn is excited to see Grace; he’s the principal of the boarding school she’ll be attending.

Grace is entranced by Katmere Academy, the Gothic-looking, elite boarding school. Grace thinks it’s like a castle, with its elegant, sprawling grounds, buttresses, gargoyles, and ornate architecture.

Going up the many steps, Grace becomes dizzy and panics. Macy lets her take a break, assuring her that the altitude sickness will pass and there’s no shame in feeling sick.