Chapter 15 Chapter 15
Chapter 15 Chapter 15
Chapter Fifteen
Henna’s POV
"I'm sorry..." Jax mutters. He lowers his head even further, and I stare in shock. This guy was just threatening to have me "discarded" a minute ago, and now he looks like a servant being scolded.
"You're sorry?" Olenna asks, her voice silky but dangerous. He nods quickly, not daring to look up. Without warning, she kicks him hard on the shin. The sound of her designer heel connecting with his bone makes me wince. Jax stumbles back, his face twisting in pain, but he doesn't make a sound.
"You're sorry?" she snorts, her eyes flashing with pure disdain. "Get out of my sight!"
Jax doesn't need to be told twice. He scrambles for his things and hurries out of the room, his "minions" following close behind him like a pack of scared dogs.
As soon as Olenna’s eyes shift toward us, Caroline hides behind me instinctively. I can feel her trembling against my back. Olenna steps closer. She exudes a strange mix of coldness and a warmth that feels almost artificial. She looks me up and down before a small, polished smile touches her lips.
"You're Henna, the new student in the East Wing?" she asks.
"Yeah, I'm Henna," I say. I try to be polite and extend my hand for a third time today, but she just clears her throat and looks at my palm like it’s a piece of junk mail. I pull my hand back, feeling that familiar sting of rejection.
"I'm Olenna," she says. The way she says her name makes it sound like a title. She carries an air that screams she owns this space and I just happened to walk into it. "I'm from the North Wing, a class above you."
I want to ask her a million questions. Why did Jax fold for her? Why does she act like the boss of this school? And most importantly, why was she draped all over Ulric last night? But she doesn't give me the chance.
She turns away from me and addresses the entire room, raising her voice so it carries to the back. "Hey guys! I came in here to say that I'm hosting my birthday party tonight, and everyone is in attendance!"
The silence of the classroom breaks instantly. A wave of excitement ripples through the students.
"A North Wing party? No way!" someone whispers loudly.
"Olenna’s parties are legendary," another girl chirps, her eyes wide with envy. "Did you see her dress? She’s literally the most beautiful girl in the Ridge."
" I’d give anything to have her life." Another says.
Olenna stands there, soaking it all in. She keeps her head held high, looking like a goddess who just granted a miracle to a group of peasants. The murmurs keep growing, a chorus of worship that makes my stomach turn.
"Will the Prince be there?" a brave soul from the back asks.
Prince? My ears peeks.
"Is the moon going to be clear tonight for the transition?" someone else adds, their voice trembling with excitement.
"Wait, is it true the East Wing is barred from the VIP lounge?" a girl near me whispers to her friend.
Olenna suddenly raises her hand, and the room goes stone-cold silent in a second.
"No one is allowed to talk over me," she says. Her voice isn't loud, but it cuts through the chatter like a knife. She walks to the front of the room, leaning against the teacher’s desk. "The party starts at nine. The color of the day is silver and black. If you aren't wearing the theme, don't even bother showing up at the gates. The guards have orders to turn away anyone who looks... out of place."
"What about the gift protocol?" a girl asks, her voice small and hopeful.
"Standard Alpha tribute," Olenna replies with a bored wave of her hand. "Nothing cheap. I don't want trash in my gift room."
She turns back around, her eyes landing on the girl shaking behind me. "Caroline," Olenna says, her voice dropping to a sweet, terrifying tone. "You should come with me. I have a few things I need help with for the preparations."
Caroline’s grip on my sweater is so tight I think the fabric might rip. "I... I have class, Olenna," she whispers. Her voice is so quiet I can barely hear it.
"The teacher is gone, and I’m sure nobody will mind if you’re absent," Olenna says. The smile on her face never reaches her eyes. It isn't an invitation; it’s a command. "Come now. Don't be difficult. It’s a privilege to help a senior."
I look at Caroline, then back at Olenna. Every instinct in my body is screaming that this is wrong. I reach out to hold Caroline’s hand, to tell her she doesn't have to go if she's uncomfortable, but Caroline suddenly pushes my hand away.
She looks at me, and for a second, I see something in her eyes that looks like a warning. "Welcome to school, Henna," Caroline says, her voice flat and lifeless. She steps away from me and joins Olenna’s side, her head bowed low.
I stand there, frozen, as Olenna leads her out of the room. I can’t just let her go. I grab my bag and rush out into the hallway, trying to catch up. But as I reach the heavy front doors of the building, I halt.
A bike is idling right in front of the hall. The engine is a low, aggressive growl that vibrates in my chest. Andre steps off the bike, moving with a lazy, powerful grace. He reaches up and pulls off his helmet, his dark hair messy from the wind.
My heart skips a beat. I try to hide behind a stone pillar, but I can see everything.
Olenna doesn't hesitate. She lets go of Caroline and runs toward him, jumping right into his arms. Andre catches her, his hands settling on her waist as he pulls her close.
"Hey Andre! I thought you said you weren't coming to pick me up," Olenna says, her voice loud and bright. She sounds like a completely different person, soft, happy, and almost innocent.
I stay tucked behind the pillar, my breath catching in my throat. I shouldn't be listening, but I can't move.
"I was in the neighborhood," Andre replies.
"Are you coming tonight?" Olenna asks, leaning her head against his shoulder. "It’s my birthday. You can’t say no to the birthday girl."
"I'll be there, Olenna," he says. He glances toward the building, and for a split second, I think he sees me. I pull back further into the shadows, my heart hammering against my ribs.