Page 100 of Ruthless Court

I open his door.

He calls after me.

“See you at Bookworm’s wedding.”

I flip him off without turning around.

Back in my room, I pull up the seminar portal.

Professor Aldridge hasn’t posted the roster.

I check the discussion board.

No introductions.

No profile pictures.

Nothing that helps.

My phone lights up with another post of Stella and Vale.

This one is a video from the airport. His hand rests at the base of her spine while she laughs at something outside the frame.

I scroll past it.

For once, the sight doesn’t tear open the same wound.

My attention returns to the blank search bar.

Sandy Stanford freshman

No results worth opening.

I type:

Sandy glasses Stanford archaeology

Nothing.

I delete the search before anyone can ever find it in my history.

Then I open the game film.

Left drive.

Early gather.

Right shoulder turn.

Bookworm’s voice returns.

You decide where you’re escaping before the trap closes.

I freeze the frame.

She didn’t only understand the play.

She understood why I made the mistake.