Chapter 3: The King of the Kings

Angel 

One thing that I hate more than pink is Monday. I'm not a morning person, and the beeping of my alarm is annoying me as hell.

Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep! Shut! Beep! The! Beep! Fuck! Beep! Up!

I slam my hand on the clock and sigh in relief when it finally stops. I rub my eyes and try to open them slowly. I quickly close them as soon as light penetrates my eyes. I put my hands on my eyes and open them, then slowly take my hands off. I groan when I realize that I have to go to school. I get up, take my towel, and make my way to the bathroom.

After the bath, I put on jeans and a black top with an oversized sweater on it. I love oversized sweaters! I put on my black Converse and let my black hair loose. Not to forget the most important thing for me, my blood-red lipstick. I pick my bag and my keys, then make my way to the kitchen. I'm so hungry that I can eat a bear. Yes! A bear! I look for my cereal and pour the milk into a bowl. I sit in silence and eat. See, it is one of those moments when I regret moving from my granny. I munch on my cereal and put on the music on my phone to break the silence. I move my head to the beat as I eat the food. My phone buzzes, interrupting my little music moment. I answer grimly when I accept the call.

"Yes," I answer then hear Riley's chuckle.

"I broke your little music session, right?" he asks, already knowing the answer.

"Tell her not to be late as usual!" I hear Ally order from behind him, making me chuckle.

"Tell her to calm her tits. I'm coming." I tell him, then hung up. My best friends are weird. Totally weird. Ally practically goes to school thirty minutes before it starts and forces us to come along so that we can hang out before school. Weird! But that's why I love her. I put the bowl in the dishwasher and take my key and my bag. I lock the door behind me then run to my car. My beautiful car! I quickly smile when I see my shiny babe. What? You thought only guys like cars? My granny bought me a Volvo! A shiny silver Volvo.

Just as I'm about to enter my car, I hear someone calling me. "Ms. Harper!" I turn to see my neighbour; that is Ace's mother. I smile at her and close the door of my car.

"Morning, Mrs. Carter," I greet, and my face scrunches in confusion. "Not being mean but how do you know my name?" I ask curiously.

"I was having a chat with the neighbours, and they told me that a pretty girl called Angel Harper lives here now," Mrs. Carter explains as I offer a smile. "Just wanted to tell you that if you need help, I live just next door." She winks, and I chuckle.

"I'll keep that in mind," I say and wave at her. "Talk to you later. I got to go to school."

"Have a nice day, sweetheart," she gushes happily, making me smile wider.

"You too," I say and enter my car. Mrs. Carter is so sweet. I find myself crying. Damn me. Only a little motherly talk and here I am crying. Blame me for missing all those little talks that I used to have with my mother. I start the car and let the music flood my ears. I sing along with the singer. I must admit that I absolutely love singing. 

When I was eight, I participated in a competition, and I came out first. My parents were so proud of me. My brother was five at that time.

In less than ten minutes, I'm already in the parking of the school. Just go back to your usual self and ignore the fact that you slammed the door on Ace Carter's face yesterday, my mind tells me, and I roll my eyes. Good way to make me less nervous. Note the sarcasm.

After locking the door, I turn to look at the few cars in the school parking lot. I'm about forty minutes earlier than all the normal students, but as usual, I have to love the weird ones. I sigh and pick my bag from the hood of my car, then make my way to my locker. From afar, I can distinguish Riley's and Ally's blond hair. They are both leaning against the lockers next to mine, and I notice Riley swaying. He does this whenever his feet are aching. Poor little thing had to wait for me. I rush to them, and as soon as I'm standing in front of them, Ally slaps the side of my upper arm, and I glare at her. I run my hand over the area she slapped, hoping that the stinging sensation will go.

"That's what I get for coming early," I mutter as I open my locker, and I hear Riley chuckle.

"Don't you dare complain!" Ally gasps. "My hand is still throbbing from that slap," she whined.

"I never told you to slap me," I mumble, and she glares at me. "Okay, I'm sorry for being—" I check my watch "—seven minutes late." She shakes her head in disbelief.

"Come on, let's go to the music room," Ally gushes and pulls me towards the music room.

"Mr. Edwards gave you the key?" I ask, and Riley nods proudly.

"We told him that you needed to practice," Ally says while unlocking the door.

"Me?" I ask while glaring at my two stupid friends.

"Yeah," Ally replies and pushes Riley towards me. "His idea," she blurts, and Riley gives me a sheepish smile.

"You're the only one who knows singing and a little of piano," he explains, and I sigh.

"I hate you," I mumble, then put my bag on the floor.

"No, you don't," Riley says and kisses the side of my head, and I smile. You're probably asking yourself why we are in the music room if they don't know a thing about music. Well, we need a little place to ourselves. Plus, I can play a bit of piano and practice singing as a microphone is connected to the piano. Awesome, isn't it?

"So what's new?" Ally asks us as she sits on a chair and brings her legs up on the table. Thank God, she is wearing jeans.

"Ace Carter is my neighbour," I say lazily as if it is the most uninteresting thing I've ever said in my whole life.

"What?" Ally squeaks. Riley and I wince.

"You heard me," I mumbled.

"You mean you have the King of Kings as your neighbour," she says in amazement.

"King of Kings?" I echo her in disbelief and watch as she sheepishly smiles. My best friend is insane.

"He is the definition of hot," Ally says with a dreamy voice, and I look at Riley for help, but he just shrugs.

"By the way, Mr. Edwards said that he'll test you to see whether you're actually practicing and all that shit," Riley informs me, and my eyes widen. "But I don't think he will," he adds, and my muscles relax a bit.