Page 84 of Prince of the Palisades

NOBILITY DIPPING?

On a weekend where she was meant to be attending a charity bazaar for underserved children, Princess Sofie of Denmark was partying in Switzerland. In photos, Her Royal Highness, who is second in line to the throne, is seen dancing, drinking, and smoking an unidentified substance in a hot tub with “mates.” Royal spokespersons blame the “stress of intense studies” for the scantily clad 17-year-old’s behavior. Recent opinion polls show the Danish populace stands behind her.

In other news…How do former classmates of Prince Jadon feel about him abandoning Réverie for America? We have the scoop!

After the final bell rings, I settle onto a bench in the courtyard. Department chair meetings have canceled today’s rehearsals. Dr. Garza Villa doesn’t trust us to handle things unsupervised. I don’t blame them. Instead, I’m spending myafternoon editing my Sunset Ball speech on my phone.

Luc was right. Just because my current situation is a mess doesn’t mean I should give up. That’s not who I am. I’ve spent months letting everyone decide the prince I’m supposed to be. But maybe—maybe it’s time I decide whoJadonis.

Show the world the real me.

I just need to figure out how to say it. I need to focus. I need to…stop looking up every time someone passes by, hoping for a glimpse of pink hair and a crooked grin.

No, I remind myself. He’s not answering my messages. Doesn’t show up in the quad during lunch. I don’t see him in the halls. Forget about asking Karan or Lo.

I’m leaving. It’s better this way.

“Wow. That’s fucked.”

Except, my gaze lifts at Morgan’s voice. She’s a blur, rushing by me, a very impressive feat considering the Doc Martens she’s wearing. I pocket my phone and swipe up my messenger bag, jogging after her.

“No, no,” she’s saying when I catch up. “Stay. I’m on the way.”

“Hey,” I heave out. “Everything okay?”

Morgan stops short, hands on her hips. She stares at me like I’m a bug. Like she can’t believe I chased her across the courtyard.

Neither can I.

“You seem upset,” I say, breathing normally again.

“What gave it away, Benoit Blanc?”

I ignore her sarcasm. “Is it something I can help with?”

Her eyes narrow. “What is this?”

“What’s what?”

“What you’re doing. Your face is all…concerned. We don’t do that.” She stabs my chest with her index finger. “You don’t do that.”

“Ow!” I squawk indignantly, praying Ajani steps in soon. “Stop, you wannabe-mean-girl, heartless monster!”

“That’s better.” She pokes my ribs one last time before folding her arms. “Now why do you want to know what’s going on with me? You never cared before.”

“That’s not true,” I object.

She snorts. “You might be in the fall production, but your acting isn’tthatgood.”

I shake my head, but she’s right. I had to be cautious. Keep her and everyone else at a distance. It’s easier that way. But Léon was right about something too: it’s time for me to get comfortable with being uncomfortable.

“I just want to make sure you’re okay,” I say.

She stares at me for a long minute. I tug on my messenger bag strap. Shuffle my feet.

“I have somewhere to be,” she relents. “Not exactly the kind of place royalty go.”

I cock my chin. “Maybe I’m not like other royals.”

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