Page 107 of Broken Princess

An unwelcome visitor is waiting outside my door. “I don’t have time today Isabelle.”

“I suggest you make time, before you rush off to the sickeningly sweet evening you have planned with the charity case.”

“Watch your fucking mouth, and my plans don’t concern you.”

She scans the room like she’s looking for something. I found her cute little mini camera weeks ago. It’s why Jordy and I started spending more time at our studio.

“You’re right. Generally they don’t, but as your friend, the horrible mistake you’re about to make,does.”

She’s got a weird concept of friendship if she thinks that’s what we are. “The only mistake I ever made, was allowing myself to be bored enough to play around with you. I’m out of the game. I’ve been out. The school is yours, and I’m not interested in whatever shit you’ve got going on. Whatever scheme you’re hatching, take it up with Frankie, Hal, or Olivia.”

I’m out, and Tabitha’s been blowing her off. Frankie and Hal, love the position of power being near Bella brings, and of course Bella’s adding more people to her team. I head to the bathroom to get undressed. Bella and I are beyond that whole game where I strip to get a reaction out of her.

“Your perfect little gem isn’t as innocent as she pretends to be.” She says to my back.

I turn to face her. “You act like I don’t know this. I was there. I took that from her.”

“And what is she taking from you? Your friends. Your status. And now, your dignity. Jordanna’s been making a fool of you.”

I stare at her, seeing all of her. Beautiful. Flawless. Evil, cold-hearted bitch. “Caring about someone isn’t foolish, and it doesn’t make me weak. I understand that you’ve never had one human emotion in your fucked up life for anyone but yourself. But, Jordanna and I are together. I made my choice. I’m fine with it. You own the school. You should be happy with how things turned out.”

“This is about to be printed in the Kingsley Tribune. It’s an article about the secret life of Logan McKay. Golden boy with tar in his veins, and tells how the school fosters a system of corruption and greed that encourages the student body to humiliate and degrade one another. And you, are the leader at the top of it all. Talk about embarrassing. Do you think your dad’s competitors will snatch up shares of the company when his stockholders start dumping them once this scandal hits?”

I read the pages she hands me. I’ve edited this type of detail and prose all semester, so I recognize Jordy’s writing. But, No. This can’t be right. I know in the beginning we were all convinced that this is who she was. But I know her. Therealher. She’s an artist. All heart and soul. Sensitive and caring, and she wouldn’t do this. She turned her step father in, because it was the right thing to do, and the only way to help other people. Publishing this would be vindictive and cruel.

“I can see you don’t believe me. Check it out for yourself.” She says, thrusting her phone at me.

Summer’s ringtone slices through the air. Jordanna’s voice drifts closer to the camera when she answers it. “Hey. I know, I know. But it’s been hard to find a moment when I could get free to chat. Yes, because I’m spending time with him. Listen, I’m not alone right now. I’ll call you later, okay?”

It’s pretty obvious who bugged Noel’s room. Wherever the camera is, it has a full view of the space. I’m fixated on Jordanna stretched across the bed like it’s the most natural thing in the world.

“I can’t believe you’re falling for his shit again.” Sterling says, tossing a golf ball in the air.

“I’m not falling for anything. That part of me that was so fucking clueless last semester is gone. My eyes are wide open and I know exactly what I’m doing.”

“Does he know?”

“If he did, do you think things would’ve gotten as far as they have?”

“No,” Noel says. “He would’ve put an end to this shit a long time ago.”

“Right, and that would ruin everything. So as long as I have him on the hook, I can go and come as I please without making him suspicious.”

Noel’s laugh travels up and down the vocal scales in maniacal tones. “When I see the look on their faces when they find out.”

“We just need to keep this a secret for a little longer.” Jordanna says, dropping her voice. “Promise me you won’t ruin this, Noel.”

“For you Jordy, I promise to be on my best behavior, just as long as I’m there to watch the big reveal.”

Sterling chuckles and says, “Me too, babe. I wanna record this shit. I know it’ll get way more hits on Prospectus than what he did to you.”

“No,” She says, moving Sterling’s hands off her ass. “What?” She asks after a small pause.

Noel shrugs his shoulder. “Are you sure your feelings aren’t real?”

“Everything I feel is real, but I’m not letting my emotions cloud my judgement. You just make sure you hold up your end of the deal when it’s time.”

“I’m a man of my word. Everything’s already in place.”

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