Chapter Eleven

After my wounds had healed, classes resumed and Madam Florence became even stricter with me. I could sense that she had a problem, but she wouldn't say it. I wondered if one of the girls I had beaten up the other day was her daughter.

"Stand straight!" she commanded, slapping my back with a ruler. I glared at her, but she raised her eyebrow as if challenging me to say something. I quickly closed my mouth, reminding myself to endure it. I remembered Reuben's words - there will come a time when none of them will be able to treat me like this, but for now, I have to rely on their mercy.

"It's been a while, Florence," a familiar voice said. I turned my head to see Giselle approaching with a smile, but a slap on my back forced me to face forward. "Focus!" the woman yelled.

"Giselle," she said in a friendly tone I had never heard from her before. Pulling her into a hug, and I was surprised that she could do more than just scream and yell. "Indeed it has. How is your mother? I heard she hasn