Page 319 of A University of Betrayal

She turned back to the clothes. “I’ll try some on. Maybe I’ll think about it.”

“I’m serious, if you really want to move on, you shouldn’t care what Grace thinks, or anyone else. It’s those thoughts that are stopping you from reaching your potential.”

Julie let her hands wander over the fabrics without looking at me, but I could see how much my words were occupying her.

“Remember, the night is all about you having fun and, of course, the mission.”

I thought I saw a small smile on her lips, then she reached for a very pretty, long dress.

“Thank you,” she whispered, turning away from me to hopefully go try it on.

Relief and pity filled my chest.

Julie didn’t seem to have an easy time with Grace and the others. And I was also losing my weak bond with Grace more and more.

“You’re sweet, you know that?” I wheeled around, startled.Vivienna.“The problem is that you’retoosweet and that I knew something was wrong with you from the start.”

My whole body tensed.

Vivienna could have just been someone who got on my nerves terribly, but she was carrying around a secret.Mysecret.

“I haven’t done anything to you, Vivienna,” I said with a calm voice.

She began to play with one of her blonde strands with her right index finger. “That may be. However, I think ahead.” A devilish smile played around her perfect lips. “You think I don’t notice you planning some strange things with your friends? Lately, I’ve even been seeing you with another Ruisangor.” Her gaze darkened. “I’ve turned a blind eye so far because you haven’t passed the rite of passage yet. But the time with your cute little...” Suddenly, her tone sharpened, making me flinch.“Forbidden group!”She paused before continuing in a lowered voice. “…has expired.”

With great effort, I tried not to swallow the lump in my throat.

“Think of it as my last warning.”

Was she threatening me?

Then she turned to leave when she almost bumped into Larissa and they both looked at each other suspiciously, as if they were about to go for each other’s throats.

Brass Tacks

Christopher Tyng

When Vivienna had gone, Larissa just stared after her, shaking her head. “What did she want from you?”

I sighed and waved her off, looking perhaps a little too unconcerned. “Vivienna just doesn’t like me. Like Olivia in high school. Do you remember her?”

Larissa looked at me as if she smelled that I was hiding a secret. “Yes, I remember this little bitch. But it sounded more likePrincess Westcodewasthreateningyou.”

“Never mind. We shouldn’t worry about Vivienna’s opinion,” I replied quickly and tried to change the subject. “Did you find anything?”

I didn’t want Larissa to worry about me unnecessarily.

Luckily, she responded to my change of subject.

“Yes! I even paid for it already.” She smiled with excitement, and I was automatically happy for her.

“Let me see!”

But Larissa pulled up the black box with the store’s gold lettering in her hands at an abnormal speed.

“Hands off! You’ll have to wait until the ball,” she laughed, and I put on my fake pout.“Bitch.You better show meyourdress.” She grinned at me full of expectation.

Great.

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