#Chapter 24: The Academy

“What are you doing here?” Susan demanded. “Signing up for the contest, same as you,” I said. “I meant,” she snapped, “why are you signing up? You don’t belong here.” She was keeping her voice quiet enough that the judges weren’t paying us much notice, but the other students in line had all turned to watch our argument. “I belong here as much as you do, Susan. You, or anyone else in the school,” I said. “Seriously?” she asked. “You’re really going to do this, Yena? You’re going to fit yourself into a winning design and model on a catwalk?” “Yes,” I replied. “Why is that so hard to believe?” Susan shook her head. “I’m warning you,” she said, “you compete against me and I will destroy you. I will humiliate you. The way you humiliated me in front of the prince.” Susan stormed off, red-faced and looking like she might be about to cry. I should have been mad at her, but I wasn’t. It was hard to take her insults seriously when it looked lik