I can’t quite wrap my mind around Lennon’s admission and what it means. Before today, she had spoken so highly of Shy. She had included Lily in our circle, gone to her funeral, and mourned that we would never be close friends, and she had known the whole time they were Valryn. Was all of that a ruse? A way of protecting herself?

She’s watching the room. My first day, I assumed she was looking for someone, but now I know she’s just watching people. She warned me: Learn their secrets so when they come after you, you’re untouchable.

The words make me shiver, and I want to know: What does she do with those secrets? How has she made herself untouchable? But I think I know the answer to that—she doesn’t share her secrets.

Today is rare.

I wonder how soon before she regrets sharing. Or if there’s a reason she finally decided to tell me the truth. The thought makes me shiver.

“What was your mother like?” I ask. It’s a question I like to answer about my poppa, but Lennon looks surprised. Like no one has ever asked.

“I don’t remember,” she admits. “She died shortly after I was born.”

That answer makes me hate the Order more. I know they have ridiculous rules and expectations, but taking a mother away from her child? Unforgivable.

We move through the line quickly. With our trays in hand, Lennon and I start looking for a place to sit in the packed cafeteria when I’m hit hard from behind.

“Oops,” a girl mocks.

My tray flies from my hands, and I stumble, but before I hit the ground, I’m caught by the waist and pulled against a hard body. When I look up, I’m staring into Shy’s bright, angry eyes. My heart moves into my throat.

The whole cafeteria has gone quiet. I twist to look at the person who pushed me when Natalie says, “Don’t be a bitch, Jasmine.”

Jasmine looks just as shocked as me that her move didn’t win praise from Natalie.

Then Lennon says, “Really, Jasmine, you could easily be in Anora’s place.”

What’s that supposed to mean? Does Lennon know something about Jasmine the rest of us don’t? Is she threatening to post it on Roundtable? After all the damage she’s seen that stupid app do? An uneasy feeling creeps over me.

“You should probably say sorry,” Shy says.

“S-sorry,” Jasmine manages, her face turning pink. She backs away, fleeing the cafeteria. I can’t help feeling bad for her. She hasn’t been very nice, but she was just shamed in front of everyone.

Natalie looks around, noticing we have the attention of the whole school. “What are you all staring at?” she barks. “Nothing to see here.”