Page 35 of The Commons

“I think Zavish has though. Once,” Jordan says. “He told me.”

It just crosses my mind. I think I’ve gotten one… multiple… from Pesh.

“Are you still sure you want to do this?” Jordan asks her, touching her hands.

She draws away from him. “Yes, I’m sure, Jordan.” She eyes him.

“Well if that doesn’t work, I’m always here as a backup,” he jokes.

She rolls her eyes. “Best for us to focus on our individual success. My recommender said even if you don’t succeed⁠—”

“When, not if⁠—”

“Keep your tone down, genius.”

Jordan smiles.

“Even if I don’t succeed in getting favor, it’s still worth it.”

“And why’s that?” Jordan asks.

“Because a demerit means they know your name, and usually demerits are bad, but this is the only demerit in The Commons that doesn’t go on your record. That’s because at least half of all freshmen get it, so it’s pretty common, get it?”

Jordan rolls his eyes. “Common average. Yeah, yeah. Funny.”

They laugh.

“Good luck,” Jordan says.

“Thanks!” She takes a deep breath and starts walking into the hallway. Suddenly, she halts and runs back. “Nope. Can’t do it.” She grabs her things, and Jordan follows her as they rush off.

I realize there’s another way out of class. I should have known that.

A dark-skinned boy with a thick London accent walks past another freshmen group that is congregating on the other side. I notice that he has an outfit with a Sachi badge on his blazer. He stops and turns directly to the group, laughing in disbelief. “Are you lot bonkers? Patrons are not into fresh meat. They are into royalty and fellow Patrons. Not only has no student ever been favored in the 6C, but almost everyone is ignored or humiliated. The Patrons clearly want to be left alone. Do yourselves a favor and boot off.”

One of them responds to him, somewhat triggered. “Being humiliated is better than being ignored. At least if you’re humiliated, it means someone noticed you. If you’re ignored, you’re basically disposable.”

The London Sachi boy ignores them, laughing and walking off. “The delusion continues.”

Just as I turn to exit the building, I notice someone finally walking the hallway.

“Look,” the olive-skinned boy beside me says as all attention turns in the same direction. “See that girl, by the way she’s walking slowly, it’s obvious she’s trying to be noticed.”

I am so over this Patron worship. This honestly seems more like a walk of shame to me.

I watch the curly, blond-haired student in question strut into the hallway, but I notice her hands shake. I look closer at her face—she’s Ciaro. The one Patron Lenon disgraced. Why would she do this after what he just did to her?

“Can a Patron do anything to humiliate a student?” the dark-haired girl says.

“No one actually knows the limits,” the olive-skinned boy beside me says. “Only The Powers That Be actually know what Patrons can and cannot do.”

I look to the corner to see the four Patrons talking. Pesh is one of them. And Lenon, and Suzandrick, and another male Patron I don’t recognize. Lenon plays with a small arrow. Pesh is drinking what looks like water, and the other two are snacking, it seems.

Ciaro stops walking. She stands in the middle of the hallway, her eyes lowered.

“What is she doing?” the brunette girl says.

“She’s waiting,” the redhead whispers.