Page 21 of Vicious Knight

Mom called me Ivy after her great grandmother when we had to take new names.

“I’m a sophomore here and the sorority’s student counselor. Basically you come to me with your grievances.”

Given my situation, I half smile, half frown at the irony in that. On seeing my reaction, Eilish gives me a sheepish grin.

“Believe me I’ve noted this unfortunate event. That’s why I’m here.” She nods. “But if you have any other grievances, like with your room, classes, or you just need to talk, I’m your girl.”

“I appreciate that.” I look around at the mess and dirty everything still left to be done. I frown when I think of simply touching it. “What happened in here? It was completely trashed.”

“We had a party last night.”

“I’m sorry I missed it.”

“Don’t be. Tiffany should have been more understanding because your flight was delayed but she loves being queen bitch. By the same token, you need to watch your back now. She’ll make life hell for you until she finds something more interesting to do.”

“Oh God. I really don’t need this.”

“Once you get past the trials and you’re in the fold she won’t be able to screw with you as much, so just tread softly.”

“Okay. Tread softly.” I attempt to smile and resume cleaning the counter. “Like, just keep swimming.”

She giggles at my Finding Nemo reference. “Yes. Just keep swimming.”

“Come on, let’s get to work. I have an hour before I have to go.”

“Thanks again for helping me.”

“No worries.”

We manage to get most of the kitchen done by the time Eilish has to leave.

To my surprise the guy who was with Thorne and Caspian picked her up. Eilish introduced him as Lucian.

Without the company of the Ivanovs he seemed even more approachable and the fact that he knew Eilish made me like him. She said he was her childhood best friend but I saw something more than that when they looked at each other.

Now I’m alone.

There’s movement outside the kitchen but no one is coming in. Since our rooms are like mini apartments equipped with a state-of-the-art kitchenette and state-of-the-art everything no one needs to come in here.

I work for several more hours, cleaning until the damn kitchen is spotless. I move on to the bathrooms, where I mess up my nails and bruise my knees.

It’s ten p.m. when I finish. I don’t want to think of how much later I could have been if Eilish hadn’t come to my aid.

When I go up to my room, I find a little pink pastry box outside my door.

I pick it up. It’s from Isabelle and the girls.

Inside the box is a delicious cupcake from the pastry shop on campus everyone is talking about. There’s a note next to the napkin with Isabelle’s phone number on it along with the other girls.

Under Mackenzie’s number are the words:

Sorry for what happened to you. Let’s hang out for lunch tomorrow xx

It’s really nice of them to do this for me. As horrible as my punishment was—and Tiffany—the incident helped me make progress in the friend department.

I open the door and go inside my room, which is stunning.

With its baby blue and rose gold color scheme, French Provençale furniture and décor, the room looks like it was made for a princess. And I feel like one, even after hours of cleaning like a hopeless Cinderella.

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