I’ve never had a circle of friends like this, who make me feel safe and accepted. I know they’re Zoe’s friends really, but they’ve welcomed me with open arms, as if I’m just as important and interesting as her, even though I’m not. Kingmakers still terrifies me. I’m covered in bruises and cuts, from a variety of classes. Yet . . . I don’t hate it here. I could even imagine a time that I might like it. Maybe on my graduation day, if I somehow learn how to fight between now and then, and I stop embarrassing myself every other day. Stranger things have happened.
