Chapter 47
The sound of Andrea’s footsteps echoed as she walked with determination. She’d been searching for Nathaniel for nearly an hour, her mind consumed with questions she couldn’t keep bottled up any longer. Why had he been so distant? What had changed?
Turning a corner, Andrea froze when she saw a group of girls standing together near the lockers. Among them was Lucy Harmon.
Andrea’s breath caught in her throat. She remembered Lucy clearly—the timid girl who had drawn the 2 of Diamonds last semester and endured relentless bullying because of it. Andrea had stepped in more than once to protect her, most memorably in the restroom when a group of elite girls had tried to press a hot curling iron against Lucy’s cheek.
But the girl standing before her now wasn’t the same. Lucy’s back was straight, her chin lifted, and an arrogant smile played on her lips. The Queen of Spades emblem gleamed on her jacket, a stark contrast to the two measly diamonds she’d worn before.
Andrea’s stomach churned as Lucy’s gaze landed on her.
“Well, well, if it isn’t the Joker herself,” Lucy said, her voice dripping with mockery.
The girls around her laughed, their laughter sharp and cruel.
Andrea took a steadying breath, standing her ground. “Lucy,” she said, trying to keep her voice even. “I’m glad to see things are going better for you this semester.”
Lucy tilted her head, her smile widening. “Better? Oh, sweetheart, things are perfect.” Her eyes gleamed with malice. “Though I can’t say the same for you, can I?”
The other girls giggled, and one of them chimed in, “She’s a Joker now, Lucy. She’s lucky we even let her walk these halls.”
Andrea felt a flash of anger but forced herself to stay calm. “I don’t think you’d be smiling like that if it weren’t for me,” she said, her voice firm. “Have you forgotten what I did for you last semester?”
Lucy’s smile faltered for a split second, but then it returned, colder this time. “Oh, you mean when you played hero?” she sneered. “That was your first mistake, Andrea. You should’ve let them do whatever they wanted. Maybe then you’d know your place by now.”
Andrea frowned, her pulse quickening. “I was trying to help you, Lucy.”
“And look where it got you,” Lucy said, stepping closer. “You’re nothing. A pathetic leftover. A scumbag.”
The words stung, but Andrea refused to back down. “Power doesn’t erase who you were, Lucy. You don’t have to be like them.”
Lucy’s expression darkened, the smirk vanishing from her face. Without warning, she lashed out, kicking Andrea hard in the stomach.
Andrea gasped as the air was knocked from her lungs, the force of the blow sending her sprawling against the wall. Pain exploded through her head as it struck the solid surface, leaving her dazed.
“Still think you’re better than me, Joker?” Lucy spat, grabbing Andrea by her hair and yanking her upright. Andrea winced, tears stinging her eyes as Lucy leaned in close.
“You should’ve stayed out of my way,” Lucy hissed, her voice low and venomous. “Know your place, fucking Joker.”
With a final shove, Lucy threw Andrea back onto the floor, the impact sending pain radiating through her body.
The laughter of Lucy’s friends rang out as they walked away, their voices full of mockery and triumph.
Andrea lay on the cold tile, gasping for breath. Her head throbbed, and every movement sent a fresh wave of pain through her ribs. Slowly, she tried to sit up, her vision swimming.
That’s when she saw him.
Nathaniel was standing at the end of the hallway, his tall frame silhouetted against the light from the windows. His arms were crossed, and his expression was unreadable.
Andrea’s heart plummeted. He had been there. He had seen everything.
“Nathaniel,” she croaked, her voice barely above a whisper.
He didn’t move.
Tears filled her eyes as she stared at him, a mix of betrayal and heartbreak crashing over her. How could he stand there and do nothing?
