第1章

Three months ago, Mom arranged for me to enter this academy as a new senior.

When I first arrived, the other students treated me normally enough.

Then they saw me ride a bicycle to school.

Then the way they looked at me changed.

In the first week a few people still said hello now and then.

In the second week nobody wanted to work with me in class.

In the third week even students from the next classroom would take another route rather than pass me.

Wherever I went, the students already there would clear out. They avoided me as though I carried a virus.

I am not stupid. I could see what they meant by it.

At first I still tried to talk to them.

Nobody answered. Whatever I said, they acted as though I weren't there.

Then at a school event I was pushed into the middle of a crowd and accidentally bumped into Venetia, captain of the cheer squad for the school football team.

Her smile went stiff in an instant and she put a finger in my face.

"Who do you think you are, touching me? Do you have any idea what these clothes cost? You could sell yourself and still not afford them!"

That same day Miss Katherine moved my seat to the farthest corner of the room.

"Audrey, if you aren't going to study, at least don't affect the others. It's quiet back there. That is where you will sit from now on."

I argued, "I haven't disturbed anyone. I'm not moving."

Miss Katherine frowned.

"If you aren't happy with my decision, then don't attend my class at all."

Miss Katherine taught a core subject, and missing her class would certainly affect my graduation.

I had no choice but to move.

After that, Venetia began intruding on my life more and more often.

Somebody tripped me on the field, and Venetia stood not far off in her practice uniform, laughing to herself.

Someone dumped a tray of food down my front in the cafeteria while Venetia sat at the opposite table, biting her straw and winking at me.

There was even a venomous snake in my bag during class. It bit my hand.

When I came back from the hospital, I found Venetia smiling as she poured water over the textbooks I had not had time to put away.

I said nothing and sat back down in my seat.

Venetia stopped in front of me and lifted my chin with her extra-long manicured nails.

Her fingertip came to rest at the reddened corner of my eye.

"Look at this poor little kitten. She's actually crying.

"Wonder what she'll do next. Go to a teacher, or go home and tell those beggar parents of hers?"

Her voice grew even brighter. "You really are a brave little girl. I do hope you stay brave."

When she had finished, she let go.

Her nails must have left marks all over my face.

The girls behind Venetia all started laughing.

But I grew calmer still.

I wrote down their names one by one in my head.

Venetia, Greta, Elowen...

I would not go to a teacher, and I certainly would not go to my parents.

Not because I was afraid of them. Because I wanted to see how far this pack of noble girls would take it.