Chapter 98

By the time Parents’ Week rolls around again, the Idols have made their decision: they’ve welcomed Ileana Taittinger into their ranks, promoted Kiara Xiao into the Inner Circle to take Miranda’s place, and reluctantly chosen a fourth year named Ben Thresher to replace Andrew.

Their circle of arrogance, assholery, and privilege is once again complete.

The bullying has amped up again, too. We’re back to condoms in my locker, stickers on my door, bags of dog shit on my welcome mat. But it’s difficult for them to hit back at me where it counts, not with the heightened security on campus. They’re going to have to try harder if they want to match me blow for blow.

“Something doesn’t feel right,” I tell Miranda on Sunday, staring at my phone and hating the butterflies in my stomach. Dad is coming back to the academy. This freaking academy where I was humiliated beyond belief. I hate that he had to see me like that; it kills me inside. Plus … if I said I wasn’t still asham