𝓢ophie had no idea why lunch was a joint-school activity, because Evers sat with Evers, Nevers sat with Nevers, and both groups pretended the other wasn't there.
Lunch took place in the Clearing, an intimate picnic field outside the Blue Forest gates. To get to the Clearing, students had to journey through twisty tunnels of trees that grew narrower and narrower, until one by one the children spat through a hollowed trunk into emerald grass. As soon as Sophie came through the Good tunnel, she followed the line of Evers receiving baskets from nymphs in red hoods, while Nevers from the Evil tunnel took rusty pails from red suited wolves.
Sophie found a shady patch of grass and reached into her willow basket to find a lunch of smoked trout sandwiches, rampion salad, strawberry soufflé, and a vial of sparkling lemon water.
Beatrix and the others sat down around her and chatted about Balls and boys, as per usual.
As Sophie listened to the girls chatter, she let thoughts of Agatha and paintings fall away and ate her sandwiches.
"—and he is just so oblivious to everything! Perhaps I should just give up and take myself to the ball. What do you think Sophie? Sophie!" Annie yells and Sophie snaps out of her daze, staring blankly at the girl.
"Wake up sleeping beauty, we're taking about boys." Kiko piped up, taking a sip of her lemon water.
Sophie ran her fingers through her long, golden hair and nodded, trying to reengage into their conversation.
"Of course, I'm pretty sure Chaddick is staring at you, Annie." Sophie said, causing all the girls to whirl around and catch the poor boy in the act, making him blush deeply and turn back around.
Sophie used this distraction to look around for Agatha, who she spotted glaring at her pail, completely disengaged from everything.
All of a sudden Sophie stood up and charged over to the Nevers' side, gasps and murmurs erupting around her.
Everyone watched in shock as Sophie of Woods Beyond strutted over to the witch herself and crossed her arms over her chest.
"I'm not sure why I'm here but I'd like to talk." Sophie said, glaring down at Agatha, who rolled her eyes and tore a chunk of grass out of the earthy floor beneath her.
"Didn't I make it quite clear, Sophie?" Agatha hissed, uncomfortable at the crowd that the princess had gathered.
"Well. Yes. But I don't like it. You can't just toss me away!" Sophie shrieked and flicked her hair over her shoulder.
This made Agatha snap.
"When are you going to get it in your self-centred, prissy pink head that I don't care about you!" Agatha yelled and stood up, stabbing her pale finger at Sophie's chest.
"What has gotten into you Aggie? Why do you hate me?" Sophie asked, utterly clueless.
"Because you are the bane of my existence! It's always been you, you, you. And now, even here, you're the one who gets everything! I hate you!"
With that final statement, Agatha shoved the Ever girl to the ground and this leads to a commotion.
"Break it up." growls a red-suited wolf, shoving Agatha out of reach of Sophie, who had burst into tears and was being comforted by a random fairy.
Agatha didn't break her stony glare as Sophie was pulled to her feet, now hastily wiping her tears away.
"I hate you." Sophie shrieked hysterically.
"I loathe you!" Agatha spat and kicked out at Sophie, yelping as the dirt-brown wolf yanked her back harshly.
"I'm so sorry I was ever nice to you!" Sophie whispered.
YOU ARE READING
Purely Wicked (discontinued)
RomanceEvery four years two children are stolen away from Gavaldon, never to return. Most children fear being taken to the School for Good and Evil. But not Sophie... She has dreamt all her life of being a princess and believes the school could be her chan...
