Page 11 of Broken Princess

Still, if I had to pick a favorite class, this one makes the list; because it doesn’t have any of the BP’s or people in their inner circle in it. What it does have is a class full of serious students responsive to debates about game theory. After my first visit with Pepper, I dropped my accounting class, and signed up for this one.

If what she says is true and everything the sons and daughters of Kingsley Hollow, do is a game, then I need to know how to strategize like they do.

I scribble furiously in my notebook and highlight the passage in my textbook, trying to paraphrase everything the teacher says in ways I can understand. I might be new to all this, but I’m going to be Professor Croft’s star pupil.

I’m staring at my syllabus, trying to decide if I want to buy the companion book for game theory when I hear someone calling my name. I look up to see Noel jogging over to me.

“Jordanna, how you been?”

He’s sporting a bit of a shadow, adding an edge to his chiseled features. “You’re a long way from the grad side, aren’t you? What gives? You slumming it on our side of campus today?”

“Not at all. I’m still working with Grace.”

“Is she on campus this semester or are the students still checking in with her remotely?” Virtual instruction is the compromise she made with the school so she could stay on maternity leave even longer.

“She’s on campus, but I try to cover for her as much as I can, so she can spend more time with the baby.” He points to the book in my hand. “So you’ve got Croft this semester?”

“I do. Any tips on how to survive the class?”

“Read all the assigned material on the syllabus. Even if he doesn’t tell you to. He’s known for testing on things he never lectured on.”

“Thanks, that reallyisuseful information.”

“Don’t mention it.” He looks across the quad and asks, “Did you sign up for the second part of Life Study?”

“I did, and thankfully this semester will include drawing people with clothes on, in different settings.”

“You don’t sound all that excited about it.”

“I’m trying to get back in the swing of things after the break and…”

Squeezing my arm, he’s says, “I know it’s probably rough being back here after what happened.”

It hurts to swallow. Glancing over his I take moment to get myself together before answering. “Understatement.”

“Jordanna, I’m sorry Logan violated your trust like that. I can’t imagine what you must be going through. And to think, he paid that girl to-”

“Paid who?” I ask, cutting him off.

He gives me a sympathetic pat. “I thought you would have heard by now. I don’t know how true the rumor is, but it’s all over Prospectus that he paid that Simone girl to seduce your boyfriend. He knew you’d never cheat on Robbie, so he had to get him out of the picture or there was no way, he’d win his bet.”

It keeps coming back to the same thing. How far Logan went; how far he would go to win. The minute I think I’ve dealt with it all, a new truth falls into place. My hands feel clammy and the ground feels unstable under my feet. “I think I’m gonna be sick.”

Noel’s strong arms wrap around my waist, holding me up as he walks with me towards the dorm. When I fumble with the key to my room, he takes it from me, pushing the door open. Kassidy springs from the couch. “Jordanna, what happened?”

Noel’s apologetic as he explains what happened. Kassidy remains quiet, but my guess is hearing Logan paid for my ex to cheat on me isn’t a surprise to her.

“Kass, you knew?”

“I’d heard something about it.”

“Why didn’t you say something?”

“Because there are so many rumors getting passed on Prospectus that I don’t know which ones to believe. Or did you really have a threesome with Tabitha and Bella before you got here, and that’s why she hates you now?”

Where did they come up with that one? “Hell, no.”

“Exactly. It’s hard to navigate the web of lies.” Rubbing my shoulders, she pulls me from Noel’s hold. “Come on and sit.” Looking over her shoulder, she says to him, “Thanks for bringing her home. I’ve got it from here.”

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