Chapter 42
At the hallways of Blackthorn Academy, Andrea walked with her head down, trying to ignore the whispers that followed her like a shadow.
“Is that her? The Joker?”
“Did you see her face during the draw? Pathetic.”
“I heard she didn’t even try to pick a card. Probably thought she was too good for it.”
Andrea clenched her fists but didn’t turn around. She couldn’t. The heat of their judgment was unbearable.
Her steps quickened as she headed to her first class, but before she could reach the door, someone bumped into her—hard.
“Watch it,” the boy sneered, not even bothering to look back as her books spilled to the floor.
Andrea bent down, her hands trembling as she gathered her things. A pair of heels clicked toward her, and she looked up, hoping for a kind face.
Instead, a girl holding a steaming cup of tea smirked.
“Careful, Joker,” the girl said, tilting the cup just enough for the hot liquid to spill onto Andrea’s arm.
Andrea yelped, pulling back as the scalding heat stung her skin.
“Oh, oops,” the girl said with mock concern. “Guess you’re not as lucky as you used to be.”
Laughter followed as the girl walked away, leaving Andrea standing there, her arm red and throbbing. She fought back tears, refusing to give anyone the satisfaction of seeing her break.
By lunchtime, Andrea’s confidence had eroded even further. She sat at a table near the back of the dining hall, picking at her food while the room buzzed around her.
Liam was seated with the other elites, the golden King of Hearts emblem on his jacket catching the light. Andrea’s heart sank when their eyes met briefly, only for Liam to quickly look away, pretending he hadn’t seen her.
Andrea bit her lip, forcing herself to look down at her tray.
Gabriel and Damien walked in shortly after, their polished Jack insignias glinting as they moved to their usual table. Andrea’s chest tightened when Gabriel glanced in her direction, his expression unreadable. He whispered something to Damien, who didn’t even turn her way.
Andrea’s stomach churned. Just a few weeks ago, they had been her allies, her friends. Now, they acted like she was a stranger.
As the day wore on, Andrea overheard more whispers.
“She used to be a Queen. Can you imagine falling that far?”
“She got what she deserved. Should’ve known she couldn’t keep up with the rest of us.”
By the time the final bell rang, Andrea felt like she was carrying the weight of the entire academy’s scorn.
She dragged herself back to her dorm, desperate for the safety of her room. But when she reached her door, she froze.
Pinned to the center of the wood was a note written in jagged red letters:
“A Queen who becomes a Joker has no place here.”
Andrea’s breath caught in her throat as she tore the note down, her hands shaking.
Her mind raced, the words digging into her already fragile confidence. Sophie’s absence felt heavier now than ever before. Despite everything, Sophie’s sharp tongue and fierce presence had always kept the wolves at bay. Now, Andrea had no one.
