The new school year is here.
The first class of the day is Economics, so I make my way to the lecture hall and take a seat in the back. I love Economics, mostly because Stone and his goons don’t take this particular class.
As the lecture is about to start, a girl comes running towards me. She’s very pretty with curly black hair and hazel eyes. I’ve never seen her before, but I can’t help but feel myself blush as she comes near where I’m sitting.
She smiles brightly at me, and points to the chair next to me, “Is this taken?”
“Oh? No, no, you can take it,” I sputter. Wow, a pretty girl wants to sit next to me? I was not what you would call model handsome. I think I’m okay in the looks department, I just look average. But this girl, she’s way out of my league.
But as soon as she takes a seat, she turns to me and grins again, “Hello, I’m Kayla. Kayla Sherwin. It’s nice to meet you.”
I stare at her hand that is stretched towards me for a moment before taking it, “Hi, my name’s Jace Greyson. And the pleasure is all mine.”
“Oh,” she tucks her hand under her chin to give me a coy look. “You’re a charmer, aren’t you?”
I laugh awkwardly at that, “Oh, I was not trying to be creepy or anything.”
“Aww, you’re precious. I love polite boys,” She giggles, “I’ve never seen you around here, are you new?”
“No, no. I’ve been attending here since last year.”
“Me too. Hey, your accent is familiar. It’s not an Empire city one.”
“Haha, you noticed that?”
“Are you by any chance from Clandestine city?” She asks and my eyes widen.
“Yeah, wait, are you from there too?”
“Yes!” She looks overjoyed, “I can’t believe you’re from the same city I am! Talking about coincidences.”
We talk about our home city after that, and with each passing second, I find myself falling for this girl. Kayla is so open and talkative, and she sounds polite and honest, which is a nice change from other kids who attended this school. I’ve never been a believer in love at first sight or instant attraction, but with her, it feels inevitable
Maybe this meant my bad luck was turning better.
At the end of the Economics lecture, we get up to leave, and Kayla asks, “So, where are you headed next?”
“I’ve got Creative writing next. It’s a minor I take this year.”
“Oh, that’s nice. I have world history,” She looks sad at that, “I wish we had the same class. I had such a great time with you!”
“Me too,” I don’t normally do this, but with her, it feels just right, “Hey, if you’re free later this evening, would you like to grab a coffee with me or something?”
Kayla raises a brow, “Are you asking me out, Jace?”
“I mean, yeah,” I gulp, “yeah, I am.”
“Oh, you’re so sweet. I’d love to go out with you, but I’m more of a dinner date kind of girl.”
“That’s cool. We can go wherever you like!”
“Awesome. It’s a date then!”
I feel like the day just got a bit brighter.
***
I did not anticipate her choosing one of the trendiest, most expensive restaurants in the city for us to go to dinner at. I mean, that one is on me, she is a girl from King’s College after all. But a dinner there would cost me an entire month’s salary! At a moment like this, that kind of a place wasn’t affordable.
I try to ask her if we can change the location just for tonight, but she looks at me pleadingly.
“Please Jace, I’ve been wanting to go here forever,” she clings to my arm, and directs her shining, puppy dog eyes at me, “I promise I will make it up to you later.” She strokes my chest, and I immediately understand what she is implying.
I sigh, “Okay, then.”
I’ve always been a sucker for puppy eyes.
It’s just one night, right?
The food was delicious, but the prices were off the roof. I let Kayla choose whatever she liked, but got only two side dishes for me. When she asked why I was being so frugal, I made up the excuse of being on a restrictive diet.
When the bill comes, I try not to cringe at the sum.
After dinner, Kayla gives me a kiss on the cheek as we walk out of the restaurant.
“Tonight, was great. Thank you, Jace,” she murmurs, her lips still on my cheek.
“It was my pleasure,” I reply, blushing from her ministrations.
“So, I booked us a room,” Kayla says, “And I’d love it if you accompany me there. I promised I’d make it up for you, didn’t I?”
I’m pretty turned off after the whole thing with dinner, but at the mention of the room I think, ‘why not?’ It’s been months since I last had some fun with a girl.
We make our way to her hotel room, and as soon as we enter, Kayla starts to kiss me. I kiss her back enthusiastically, and her ferociousness comes out. She starts to unbutton my shirt as she holds me to the wall. My timidness takes over me, and I stand there awkwardly.
God, I’m such a wimp.
“I’ve been wanting to do this for hours,” she gasps into my mouth as she pushes the shirt off my shoulders, “take off your pants, baby.”
My body heavily reacting to her touches, I follow her command and strip off my pants.
However, the moment I take off my underwear, the door opens, and in bursts a bunch of people. Shocked, I freeze on the spot as I register the faces of the mob.
It’s Stone and his goons!
“Prank, bro!” Stone yells out in glee, and to make matters worse, produces a camera, “You’ve been pranked! You fell for our trap, you idiot, and now you’re being live-streamed on the internet!”
I try to cover myself, my brain reeling from humiliation, hurt, and shock. I look at Kayla for help, but she is laughing with the bullies.
“What?” Catching my eye, she grins nastily, “Did you really think I was into you? You’re pathetic. Greg’s my boyfriend!"
That’s when I get over my shock.
“Stone, this is too much,” I tell him, “Beating me up at the streets in one thing. Turn off that camera and get lost!”
“Yeah, no,” Stone grins, “You think you can get rid of me, you pathetic loser?! I will make sure you’re little weeny is pasted all over the internet, so even the dean will find out.”
“No, you will not.” Suddenly, a familiar voice comes, and I can’t help but gasp.
Everyone turns to the door, and Gerald enters the room.
“Who the hell are you?” Stone, looking mad, demands Gerald, and Gerald gives him the most disgusted look.“That’s none of your concern,” Gerald snaps at him before turning to me, and his face softens, “Are you alright?”“Not really,” I find myself saying, desperately trying to hide myself with my hands. “Oh, isn’t it? What’s up, Jace? Is this your dad? Your grandpa? Did you call your grandpa to come and rescue you? Ewww.”That’s when ten men in black suits who were twice the size of Stone storm into the room, looking as intimidating as mob bosses. I recognize them all, and something like homesickness hits me squarely on the chest. It’s been a long while since I’ve seen them all, and the humiliation just increases.But Stone’s expression changes at the arrival of the men. Gone is the arrogance and the snark, he looks like he’s scared.“Who are you? Who are these people?” he questions, “Whoever you are, you better get out of here. I booked this room, and my father is the richest, most
“Oh, fuck off,” Stone, not believing that we are being genuine, scoffs, “What’s a beggar going to do to me? Your empty threats won’t work. I’m going to give my father one call, and he’s going to come for me. And he will destroy you all.”Gerald ignores his prattling and goes on to make several calls, whispering furiously into the phone. Kayla hangs onto her boyfriend’s arm, looking frightened at the ten men in black glaring at them.“I did what you asked,” I hear her plead from her boyfriend, “Can we leave now? I’m getting scared.”“No, Stone will take care of it,” The bully reassures her, “The twerp can’t harm us. Who even is he? A nobody with some actor friends.”“My master is anything but a nobody, your man,” calmly, Gerald locks his phone and shoves it back into his pocket, “And in thirty minutes time, you will see what exactly we’re capable of. I know everything about you, Stone Jeffreys, and your father. I know about your family corporation, your father’s business. And in thirty
My pace is swift as I make my way through the hotel, followed by Gerald and his crew of men in black suits, who were actually security personnel my father had hired ever since I was a child. I feel like I should get the hell out of this place soon because the stress and anxiety from the whole incident are starting to get to me. Tears are right behind my eyeballs and regret pangs in my chestSuddenly, as we near the lounge, a voice comes from behind us.“Please, Jace, stop!”Kayla.Anger and despair war in my heart as I debate ignoring her and continuing on, but she calls my name again and again. As much as I don’t want to talk to her, I don’t think I can ignore her.After all, she is right next to me. She looks as panicked as Stone was, her eyes stormy, her cheeks flushed.The security personnel move to keep her away from me, but I raise my hand, signaling them to stop.“What?” I growl at her.“Jace, please, you have to undo what you did to Stone’s father,” she pleads, and my heart si
My father and I didn’t talk much that night. The level of awkwardness between us was embarrassing. I knew that he was nearly bursting with all the questions he wanted to ask me and all the things he wanted to tell me. Our relationship was never the best, but I don’t think it’s been this strained. Father tells me that we both need to handle this carefully, so he will be giving me enough space.Fine by me. I am in no hurry to venture through this particular no-man’s land.***The next morning, I’m mildly startled by the unfamiliar surrounding as I wake up but before I can panic the memories of the night before flood my mind. I sit silently on the bed as I go through them, one by one as not to overwhelm myself. The hurt I feel is significantly less, but not enough to be called faded.I really don’t want to go to school today. I don’t want to face whatever awaited me there.But the other choice was to stay here in this house and face my father.The choice is easy when comparing the option
The host asks everyone to be seated, so I look around the tables to see if there is an empty spot. There are few, so I choose the one nearest to me. As I make my way through the tables, I realize that the seat next to me is occupied by none other than Coraline Granger.She looks so different from the girl she once was but similar at the same time. For example, her previous bob-cut style haircut is gone, replaces by luscious platinum blond curls that rivulet down her naked shoulders. Her gorgeous blue eyes, larger than life and electric, flashes t her friends, crinkling at the corners as she laughs at something they say. Her face gleams like the full moon, her makeup almost non-existent. Ruby-red lips contrast dizzyingly with the pearlescent tone of her teeth. She wears diamonds in her ears and neck, with a plain, black strapless dress.She looks so mature and sophisticated.Beautiful.I could hear the conversation she’s having with her friends even from here, them inquiring her about
To say I was shocked would be an understatement.Coraline had always been a kind, open person when we were in high school, and never had she treated me like this. When she talked to me back in the day, I always felt like we could be friends if I had the gall to approach her about it. We ran in different circles and my one was generally lower in the food chain, but for Coraline, that didn’t matter.But now, I feel betrayed and devastated. I never thought she would be one of those snobs like her friends were.Tensions are high, and I have a feeling that I was being misunderstood here. I didn’t mean to insult anyone, so I try to rectify my mistake, ignoring the sting of her slap in my face and my heart.“Look,” I start in an even voice, “I’m not trying to insult you or your shoes. What I’m trying to say is those shoes are forges, and whoever sold them to you scammed you. If you think I’m wrong, check the soles. If it’s an original, there should be a signature on the sole. That line of sh
I can’t help but screw my eyes at her in anger as she makes her way towards me, looking sheepish. Now that I’m aware of who she really is, her beauty diminishes in my eyes. I wonder what she’s doing here, trying to humiliate me again? What the hell was with girls and me lately? It had never been like this. Normally, girls are nice to me, and other guys are hostile.Now, everyone is hostile regardless of gender.Maybe there was something in the water which is making everyone see me as a target. Maybe it’s my face. I’ve heard some people saying that certain individuals have faces that make them want to do horrible things to them. Does my face look like that too? Is that why everyone is picking on me?Man, I’m too tired of all this drama.“What do you want now?” I ask her in a hard, cold voice as she comes within hearing range, “Want to rub salt in the wound more? Call out the guys here so they can make it a real public humiliation?”Coraline gulps and looks ashamed, but I don’t let that
For a moment, I am confused.Of course, the card belonged to Jace Greyson. That shouldn’t create any issues, because my frickin name is Jace Greyson. Had Coraline hit her head somewhere? Was that the reason why she was acting so goddamned strange today?“I knew that you were up to something sketchy,” Coraline goes on to say, “This card is clearly not yours, you have stolen it from somebody. Who did you steal from? Do you know how much these cards are worth?”“What? I didn’t steal it, because that’s my card, and that’s my name,” I insist, “I’m Jace Greyson!”The waiter looks in between us, and his brows furrow, “Sir,” he addresses me, “this is a very valuable card, and the miss’s claim is a serious offense. I don’t think I can let you go. We thought you were wealthy upon your initial reaction to our mistake, but now I’m starting to think that it isn’t the case.”Why, the gall…I step forward and grab the card from Coraline’s hand, making her yelp, and read the name on the card.Jace Gr