Chapter Text
St. Dominic's School was a grim place. At least, that's how it seemed at first to Whitney Morozova, who was just about to enroll there. She had heard plenty of rumors—gambling was the least of the issues. It was said that everyone there was ready to devour one another whole, and showing weakness meant immediate defeat.
Whitney wasn't fond of private schools. Sure, she came from money—her father, a Russian businessman, owned an absurd amount of real estate and companies; her mother, an Italian of aristocratic lineage. Whitney was the beloved and only daughter, and people never hesitated to label her a spoiled rich girl, another silver-spoon baby born into privilege. Just another mask... And she wore them when it was convenient, but there was always something more beneath the surface.
To hell with those arrogant pricks who flaunted their power—she wanted to be something greater. She was something greater. Unlike the brats who got in because their parents paid the price, Whitney had invested her own earned money—$237,000. Not all of it, of course; she believed in "healthy" gambling after all.
So, who had insisted on her attending this specific school? Her father, naturally—a former student himself. Her mother had been against it, believing that kind of lifestyle to be destructive.
"Don't worry, Mom. I can make the right decisions. I'm going there to study, and the games... I like to play. Let them try to see through me." —she had said with a smile that evening, without looking at her parents.
Now, speeding down the flawless highway on her red Kawasaki, surrounded only by trees, her mind was clear. Her belongings would be delivered separately, and luckily, the school allowed students to arrive in their own vehicles—kept safely in the school's garage.
With a roar, she rolled into the school's main courtyard, disturbing the fragile calm of the weekend. A silent staff greeted her, politely escorting her to the garage.
-Not bad. Bet everyone here's sulking that they can't show off their rides properly, - Whitney smiled, tossing her shiny chestnut hair over her shoulder as she took off her helmet. She was handed an envelope. Room 120. First day of the school year. Well, time to see what this place was made of...
She changed into the school uniform, which fit her figure well. The pants hugged her long legs, and she chose not to wear the blazer, instead rolling up the sleeves of her shirt. Her left arm was fully covered in tattoos—even her fingers bore the suits of cards. An Ace of Spades on her index finger, a snake coiled around her wrist, a fallen angel on her forearm, playing cards entwined with poker chips near her shoulder. Piano keys, symbols, meaningful inscriptions—each tattoo had its story.
"These kids need to learn what real games are..." - Whitney smirked to herself, holding a heavy gold-plated revolver engraved with her name on its redwood grip. She'd heard the stories—at St. Dominic's, they didn't just play games, they lived them. And the elite, the infamous "Student Council," didn't shy from digging up dirt on anyone. Especially the school president.
So, why dress up at all? There was some supposedly grand opening ceremony in the assembly hall—a dull event where teachers droned on and students ignored them. Whitney had joined at the beginning of the year, but technically late enough that the classes had already been formed last term.
She strolled down the corridor, passing students, some of whom bore humiliating "pet" tags. Whitney grimaced—what the hell kind of place was this? Clearly, dominance and survival were the lessons of the day.
Curious eyes followed her—her tattoos, her confident stride, her height. Maybe even her green eyes held a certain charm. Who could say?
With a calm smile, Whitney surveyed the assembly hall, then sauntered forward, uninterested in making conversation—yet.
Kira stood near the stage, hands clasped behind her back, posture straight, gaze piercing. She looked Whitney over, already knowing everything about her. Her lips pressed together; the navy lipstick unblemished.
- Oh, look at this little show-off. This is a school, not a Russian prison—what's with all the ink? Or is that how you people do it over there? - Suki sneered, giving Whitney a judging look. Rex quickly chimed in, and Runa smirked.
Riri's eyes also locked on the newcomer, though Whitney pointedly didn't glance their way.
- Let's meet her properly, - Kira ordered, flipping her black curls as she approached with the entire entourage. Whitney turned to them with a matching confident smile.
- Let me get a look at you... - Kira said with a faint smirk, scanning Whitney, who did the same in return.
- Ну и как тебе, Президент? Есть на что посмотреть?*(- So, what do you think, President? Anything worth looking at?) - Whitney asked sweetly, in Russian. Kira arched a brow.
- Это я и пытаюсь понять,*(- That's what I'm trying to figure out.), Whit-ney, - she replied in the same language, drawing out her name.
Whitney grinned wider, flashing teeth, and extended her hand from her pocket.
- Allow me to introduce myself properly. Whitney Morozova. You're Kira—I know. I figured it's best to be aware of the characters roaming this place... - she said with deliberate pauses, eyeing Rex like he was Suki's personal lapdog. The discomfort was palpable.
Her gaze shifted back to Kira, then to the girl standing behind her. For a moment, her breath caught—Kira's sister had eyes like an enchanted forest, deep and easy to get lost in, unlike Kira's icy blue ones in which you could drown. Oh, Whitney almost wished she could.
- That's my sister—Riri. Don't worry, she only talks if you're in real trouble.
- A shame. Eyes like hers must come with a voice just as beautiful, - Whitney said softly, drawing a curious glance from Riri and a quiet scoff from Kira. - But don't worry. I'm not here to cause trouble... not deliberately.
- For your own good, - Kira replied sharply, giving Whitney a more disdainful once-over.
- Oh, so you don't like disobedience either? Isn't that dull? Power and control... nice. I like them too. Let's see where that leads. - Whitney's smile gleamed. Kira's steely stare narrowed. She could smell the challenge in Whitney's words, like blood in the water. Whitney's eyes lit with mischief.
Their silent duel was interrupted by Suki.
- Tell us, who the hell gave you such tasteless tattoos? No, seriously, this needs to go online. - He glanced at Rex's phone. Whitney chuckled, running her fingers along the ink on her arm.
- Just felt like putting a label on you before meeting you. - She tapped a single gothic word tattooed across her skin on her arm: EMPTY. - Fitting, don't you think? You're hollow. Just like the rest of you—making pets out of people and losing your parents' money in games. Let's see if any of you have the guts to show me a real game.
She cast a slow glance across the council. Students nearby fell silent. Someone even whistled. Kira squinted dangerously, grinding her teeth. Riri tilted her head, her gaze never leaving Whitney. Suki looked taken aback, opening his mouth to reply—only for Kira to raise her hand, silencing him instantly.
- Wait, did that bitch just talk to us? - Mary barked, voice sharp. Whitney laughed softly, gracefully.
- Yep. Right to you. Want to be the first I take down? Don't worry, I play for the thrill and smart stakes, - Whitney waved her hand and grinned again, locking eyes with Kira.
- You're just another wannabe who thinks she can prove something. You're no match for us, - Kira hissed, fists clenched against her hips. Whitney stepped forward, prompting Riri to move protectively.
- I don't want to be your rival... Дорогая.* I just want to understand how your world works. I think I might surprise you. See you around. My challenge still stands.
Whitney glanced at Mary, then winked at Riri.
The girl stepped away from them, sitting off to the side, likely leaving everyone with a silent question. Kira let out a loud sigh, clearly angry.
- I want you to destroy her in this game, Mary. Don't embarrass us, - she said without looking at Mary, while Runa stifled a chuckle.
- Oh yes, otherwise we'll have to get rid of you. What a shame that would be, - Runa said sarcastically.
- She's actually kinda cute. I'd totally hit on her, - Chad added. Kira shot him an irritated glance. He never knew when to shut up—how the students could be afraid of this idiot was beyond her.
- Let's see whose side she's on first. If she makes the wrong choice—I'll destroy her. Her eyes locked on the seemingly bored Whitney, who still acted like they weren't even there, swinging her leg with impartial calm.
That evening, the school lounge was buzzing with people—some came to play, others just to watch.
Whitney entered the room with a smile, her hands behind her back, slowly taking in the scene as if savoring it. Suddenly, she froze, spotting a girl who was about to crash into her. Whitney tried to stop it—but it was too late. They bumped into each other, and some papers slipped from the girl's hands onto the floor.
- I'm so sorry! I-I'll pick them up! - the girl in glasses stammered, already bracing herself for humiliation. But Whitney simply smiled, squatting down just as quickly to help, causing their heads to bump together.
- Ouch, haha, it's fine. Let me help, - Whitney said with a grin, rubbing her forehead. The girl in front of her looked stunned, and Morrigan's eyes dropped to the animal-themed badge she wore.
- Mmm, got it. Don't worry, I'm not one of those sadists. It's all good. I'm Whitney. And you?
- Jessie... But you, um, shouldn't talk to me. It's... not how things are done here. You'll get laughed at. - She glanced nervously at the other students watching the scene. Only Kira and Riri were observing from above, in their secret spot. Kira's gaze was sharp as a blade—she still couldn't figure Whitney out.
- Hm. So what? Their opinion doesn't matter to me, - Whitney said calmly, handing Jessie her papers. - Nice to meet you, Jessie. Are you staying for the game?
The girl clutched her folder tighter and shook her head quickly before hurrying out of the lounge.
- Oh, I might just cry from the cuteness. If you want to hang out with 'pet's' - that's where you belong, - Mary said loudly, crossing her arms with a smirk. Meanwhile, Whitney sat down at the poker table across from her.
- Karma's still hasn't been canceled, you know. Be careful—you might become one yourself one day, - Whitney replied sweetly, her voice syrupy.
- What are you playing at? - Mary slammed her hands on the table, leaning closer to the girl's face.
- Anything you want, - Whitney shrugged calmly, examining the tattoo on her arm.
- Then cards it is. Five cards each—we draw them in turns. Highest suit wins. Three rounds. Simple as two plus two. I'll let you pick the first stake.
Whitney gave a wide smile like a cat that had just eaten a canary, wagging her finger slightly.
- One round. Highest bet. A hundred thousand. - A collective gasp spread across the room. Some students applauded, others pulled out their phones. Mary let out a mocking, nervous laugh, as if she couldn't believe her ears.
- You crazy? Got so attached to that nerd in glasses you decided to join her? - she gripped the edge of the table. Kira stood straight as a string, squinting, not understanding what the new girl was up to. Riri remained silent behind them, but a whirlwind of thoughts raced through her head. Was Whitney going to cheat? Was she that obsessed with risk?
- So yes or you scared? - Whitney taunted, putting her hands on the table with a smirk, then held out her right hand to Mary.
- You're on. Get ready to lose, - the curly-haired girl hissed, shaking Whitney's hand roughly.
- Mind if I shuffle the deck? - Whitney asked after Mary had done the same.
- Sure, like that's gonna help to you, - Mary said, handing her the deck.
Whitney grinned wider and skillfully shuffled the cards with a flourish, making a fan out of them and transferring it to her other hand like magic, without touching it. Then she covered the deck with her hand and, when she lifted it, the deck was gone—leaving the students astonished as they moved closer. A moment later, the cards reappeared in her hands, and she began dealing.
- Shall we begin? - It was rhetorical. Both girls drew their first card and placed it face down. One, two, three. Flip.
Whitney: Jack of Spades.
Mary: Ten of Hearts.
Whitney wins.
- Beginner's luck, - Mary muttered and they each drew their second card.
Whitney: Eight of Hearts.
Mary: Nine of Clubs.
Mary wins.
Third card. Movements sharp, eyes focused. Whitney glances briefly upward—toward Kira—and smirks slightly.
Whitney: Five of Diamonds.
Mary: Jack of Hearts.
Mary wins again.
A smile crept onto Mary's face, but Whitney remained calm, studying her cards. They draw the fourth card. Whitney hesitates for a moment, then smiles. Flip.
Whitney: Queen of Diamonds.
Mary: Jack of Diamonds.
- Damn! - Mary growls—so far it's a tie, and the final card will decide everything. All or nothing.
Mary throws a sharp look at Whitney and, catching her glance away, swiftly swaps her Seven of Spades with a King hidden in her sleeve.
Whitney feels the piercing gaze of the President and grins, winking at Kira, catching a glint from her blue lips and icy eyes in the distance.
They both place their cards down. Breath held. The reveal.
Whitney: Ace of Spades.
Mary: King of Spades.
- No... No! That's impossible! How?! - All eyes turn to the leaderboard:
Whitney Morozova – 5th place in the top ranking.
Mary plummets with just a few thousand left.
Everyone is stunned. Whitney shrugs with a sweet smile.
- Of course it's impossible. You swapped your card so carefully, almost like a jeweler. Almost...
She smirks and grabs Mary's right wrist, pulling out the hidden Seven of Spades between two fingers.
Students erupt into boos and jeers.
- Cheater! - someone in the crowd yells.
- She should be at the bottom! - adds another voice.
Whitney rolls her eyes theatrically and stands up while Mary is left speechless in her crushing defeat.
- Who are you to judge? I know everyone cheats here. Honestly, I'm disappointed—can no one give me a real challenge?
She turns with a light laugh.
- Thanks for the game. Don't take it personally—I just hate being lied to.
She steps toward Kira and Riri, who finally emerge from the crowd. Standing in front of Kira with her head high, Whitney scans her and the tag in her hand.
- Congratulations... Mary's your pet now. - She hands over the tag harshly to the defeated girl.
- I'll pass. I'm not into this sado-maso thing, - Whitney chuckles, and laughter echoes behind her. She turns back to Kira.
- So, do you have anything to offer me, President? Maybe playing with you will be more entertaining, or do you also like to cheat? — she whispered quietly in her ear, almost burning her. - I love playing dirty, so watch out. And thanks for the attention, I hope you had fun.
With a chuckle, the girl made a bow to Kira, and passing close by her, she also glanced at Riri, with whom they silently crossed paths.
- Did you notice that too? - Chad asked Dori, because it was hard not to notice Kira's burning cheeks, as if she was trying to grasp at some fragile composure.
- Yeah, a spark bordering on hatred. Like in all those books. I don't really read them, but I've heard of it, - Dori said quickly, shrugging.
- She's definitely going to get under Kira's skin, - Runa said with a chuckle, as the student council president left the lounge like a storm.
It seems the games have only just begun...