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Chapter Seventeen: The Bastard
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2024-10-29 19:42:56
L. G. AusmusIf you read this far into Zach and Leia's story, thank you so, so much!! I'm sure I lost a few readers over these chapters, but for those who stayed up to this point, you're the best!! I know, it took seventeen chapters for the book to start getting interesting. But I guarantee that all of the exciting chapters will not be that far apart ;). If you made it to this note, comment on the chapter to boost my confidence a little bit, haha.
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Beauty and the Bastard Chapter Eighteen: Beauty
I woke up the next morning with the worst headache I had ever felt pounding in my temples like a drilling machine. I groaned and sat up, holding my hand to my head. The last thing I remembered was going to the party last night, Zach talking to me and walking away, and... that was it. No snippets of anything from last night, no fragments, nothing. I looked around my surroundings to make sure I wasn't in some other guy's room. Thankfully, I was in my own room. The one that I shared with... Zach. My eyes widened, and I quickly checked myself under the covers. I was still in my skirt and blouse from last night. The only things removed from my body were my shoes. Zach hadn't touched me. Zach Turploy, who had fucked nearly half of the girls at our school and flirted with the rest, had the perfect opportunity to take me. And he hadn't. I sat up slowly, not wanting my head to literally explode from the pressure of my headache, and swung my legs over the side of my bed. I walked over to m
Beauty and the Bastard Chapter Nineteen: The Bastard
My focus rotated between my phone and Leia as she paced the room while waiting for her asshole of a boyfriend to pick up the Goddamn phone. I had been this close to saying he had been talking to some chick at the party, just to make the situation worse for him. But, I knew that would've hurt Leia more than she needed to be hurt. The click of the line connecting seemed to echo throughout the room, followed by the disgusting sound of Jake's voice. "Hello?" Leia took a deep breath before speaking. "Hey, Jake," she said. Her tone held no warmth, but it wasn't ice cold either. "How are you?" I don't think Leia realized that her phone was on speaker. Unless she knew and wanted me to hear the exchange between the two of them. "I'm alright, just tired. How're you, baby?" I cringed internally. Baby? Give me a fucking break. He was already cringey enough with his sappy bullshit. The nicknames didn't need to be included in the package. "I'm fine." She kept her tone neutral. It wasn't
Beauty and the Bastard Chapter Twenty: Beauty
It was now December 18th. It had been one month and twenty days since I had broken up with Jacob. Seven weeks and one day since I'd found out he was cheating on me. Fifty days since Zach had beat him up until he was bloody and bruised. Fourteen weekends since my heart had been ripped out of my chest. For a month I had sat in my room, on my bed. It was where I had stayed most of the time. I'd skipped caroling, the baking tradition I shared with my mom, and even most of my family's Christmas shopping and gift-wrapping, my two favorite things about the holidays. I hadn't spoken to Zach since that night. I'd been too mad. Too hurt. No, not hurt. "Hurt" was too small of a word, almost cute sounding. "Aw, did that hurt?" No. It obliterated, demolished, destroyed me. Demoralized, maybe. But no, it didn't hurt me. It didn't "hurt" me at all. Zach had pretended nothing happened. He never talked about it. In fact, he hadn't talked to me at all. Not a single taunt or tease. No pulling my hai
Beauty and the Bastard Chapter Twenty-One: The Bastard
I could only stand there as Leia stormed away, in absolute shock as I tried to process what had just happened. Shock that soon developed into frustration. Fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck. I looked down at what she had slammed into my chest. A helmet. I traced the design with my finger, creating an invisible outline along the lightning bolt on the side. Shit. This had to have cost a fortune for her. I looked up to where Leia had disappeared, and something snapped within me. Before I knew what I was doing, I threw the helmet onto the couch without a second glance before running out the door and into the freezing cold weather. "Leia!" I called out to her retreating form. All she was wearing was a thin long-sleeve top and a skirt with nothing else to cover her bare legs and arms. She had to be freezing to the bone by now.She turned at the sound of her name, but her expression turned colder than the snow beneath my feet once she saw who had called it. She turned back around and continu
Beauty and the Bastard Author's Note
If you made it this far into Zach and Leia's story, then it is safe to say you have reached the end. I have had so much fun writing this book, and being able to share it with all of you has been such an honor. I am so happy that we finished this together, and I'm so thankful for all of you who got to go with Zach, Leia, and the rest of the BATB family. I would like to add some dedications, as well. To my best friends, Josie and Natalie, you guys supported me through this book and I am forever greatful. I love you both so, so much. My parents, who supported my dreams to work on and finish this book. You two are such important figures in my life, and I am forever thankful for you. And to all of my readers, who kept me going. I love you all so much
Beauty and the Bastard Chapter One: Beauty
I walked out of class, relieved that pre-calculus was finally over. Despite my efforts to pass the class, I still despised it. It was just one of the useless things that we wasted our time learning about. I mean, when were we ever going to use Pi on a daily basis? I walked over to my locker, twisted the combination into the lock, and popped the door open. Inside was an array of books, folders, papers, and a small calendar, all neatly organized into their little spots. A small round mirror hung on the inside of the door, revealing my head of dusty-blonde hair, tied into two loose braids that rested on my shoulders. My smooth, light skin was slightly flushed, bringing a faint pink tint to my cheeks. I brushed stray strands of hair off my soft-heart shaped face and took a quick glance at my upturned eyes, the blue-green irises darting along with my pupils as I scanned over my own features. I put my calculus book and notepad away, tucking them in between Science and Language Arts, and
Beauty and the Bastard Chapter Two: Beauty
I grimaced as soon as I heard that bell ring. For some reason, it sounded louder than all the other bells. Maybe because it was broken. Or maybe because it was the bell that meant third period was coming. Also meaning I had to be in the same room as the jackass who had ruined my social life. Either way, I took my time packing my stuff up despite Haylie tapping her foot in mock patience. "You know," Haylie started. "You can't avoid third period. So why bother making yourself late?" I sighed. "Yeah, I know. But I can avoid him as much as possible this way." She rolled her eyes but still smiled. "Yeah, whatever. Just don't make me late, too." "Fine, let's go," I said as I reluctantly finished packing my things and swung my backpack on my shoulders. As we walked, Haylie was telling me about an awful cheese danish she had baked the other night. She was an awful baker. Just as she was telling me how bad the danish had been, my eyes drifted, and a smile spread across my face
Beauty and the Bastard Chapter Three: The Bastard
The bell rang, causing me to jump slightly. I narrowed my eyes at the streak that my pencil had made on my paper from the sudden movement and groaned. Marcus raised a brow at my reaction. "Calm down, buddy. Wait till you get home." He held in a snicker. I glared at him. "You know for a fact that's not what that is. I've got Science next period." He furrowed his brow in confusion. "Okay? So, why are we groaning like we just jerked off?" I rolled my eyes and started to pack my things. "Ha, ha ha, you're sooo funny. No. It's because next period is the class I have Roschèr in." Realization formed on Marcus's face. "Ohhh. I see." He smirked and raised a brow. I side-eyed him as I shoved my textbook into my backpack. "What? Why are you looking at me like that?" It took me a second before it dawned on me what he was indicating. "Oh, Marcus! No! Don't even consider that." Marcus raised both eyebrows. "You know," he continued, despite my warning glare. "Based off of what yo
Latest chapter
Beauty and the Bastard Author's Note
If you made it this far into Zach and Leia's story, then it is safe to say you have reached the end. I have had so much fun writing this book, and being able to share it with all of you has been such an honor. I am so happy that we finished this together, and I'm so thankful for all of you who got to go with Zach, Leia, and the rest of the BATB family. I would like to add some dedications, as well. To my best friends, Josie and Natalie, you guys supported me through this book and I am forever greatful. I love you both so, so much. My parents, who supported my dreams to work on and finish this book. You two are such important figures in my life, and I am forever thankful for you. And to all of my readers, who kept me going. I love you all so much
Beauty and the Bastard Chapter Twenty-One: The Bastard
I could only stand there as Leia stormed away, in absolute shock as I tried to process what had just happened. Shock that soon developed into frustration. Fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck. I looked down at what she had slammed into my chest. A helmet. I traced the design with my finger, creating an invisible outline along the lightning bolt on the side. Shit. This had to have cost a fortune for her. I looked up to where Leia had disappeared, and something snapped within me. Before I knew what I was doing, I threw the helmet onto the couch without a second glance before running out the door and into the freezing cold weather. "Leia!" I called out to her retreating form. All she was wearing was a thin long-sleeve top and a skirt with nothing else to cover her bare legs and arms. She had to be freezing to the bone by now.She turned at the sound of her name, but her expression turned colder than the snow beneath my feet once she saw who had called it. She turned back around and continu
Beauty and the Bastard Chapter Twenty: Beauty
It was now December 18th. It had been one month and twenty days since I had broken up with Jacob. Seven weeks and one day since I'd found out he was cheating on me. Fifty days since Zach had beat him up until he was bloody and bruised. Fourteen weekends since my heart had been ripped out of my chest. For a month I had sat in my room, on my bed. It was where I had stayed most of the time. I'd skipped caroling, the baking tradition I shared with my mom, and even most of my family's Christmas shopping and gift-wrapping, my two favorite things about the holidays. I hadn't spoken to Zach since that night. I'd been too mad. Too hurt. No, not hurt. "Hurt" was too small of a word, almost cute sounding. "Aw, did that hurt?" No. It obliterated, demolished, destroyed me. Demoralized, maybe. But no, it didn't hurt me. It didn't "hurt" me at all. Zach had pretended nothing happened. He never talked about it. In fact, he hadn't talked to me at all. Not a single taunt or tease. No pulling my hai
Beauty and the Bastard Chapter Nineteen: The Bastard
My focus rotated between my phone and Leia as she paced the room while waiting for her asshole of a boyfriend to pick up the Goddamn phone. I had been this close to saying he had been talking to some chick at the party, just to make the situation worse for him. But, I knew that would've hurt Leia more than she needed to be hurt. The click of the line connecting seemed to echo throughout the room, followed by the disgusting sound of Jake's voice. "Hello?" Leia took a deep breath before speaking. "Hey, Jake," she said. Her tone held no warmth, but it wasn't ice cold either. "How are you?" I don't think Leia realized that her phone was on speaker. Unless she knew and wanted me to hear the exchange between the two of them. "I'm alright, just tired. How're you, baby?" I cringed internally. Baby? Give me a fucking break. He was already cringey enough with his sappy bullshit. The nicknames didn't need to be included in the package. "I'm fine." She kept her tone neutral. It wasn't
Beauty and the Bastard Chapter Eighteen: Beauty
I woke up the next morning with the worst headache I had ever felt pounding in my temples like a drilling machine. I groaned and sat up, holding my hand to my head. The last thing I remembered was going to the party last night, Zach talking to me and walking away, and... that was it. No snippets of anything from last night, no fragments, nothing. I looked around my surroundings to make sure I wasn't in some other guy's room. Thankfully, I was in my own room. The one that I shared with... Zach. My eyes widened, and I quickly checked myself under the covers. I was still in my skirt and blouse from last night. The only things removed from my body were my shoes. Zach hadn't touched me. Zach Turploy, who had fucked nearly half of the girls at our school and flirted with the rest, had the perfect opportunity to take me. And he hadn't. I sat up slowly, not wanting my head to literally explode from the pressure of my headache, and swung my legs over the side of my bed. I walked over to m
Beauty and the Bastard Chapter Seventeen: The Bastard
I shouldn't have snapped like that. It's not Leia's fault, and she didn't know anything. She didn't know my history with that scene in that fucking drawing. I sighed and rubbed my face as I walked down the hall, away from the door that I had walked out of after yelling at Leia. The sound of the slamming impact of the door echoed throughout my head as I made my way to the elevator, replaying not only the sound but the events that had happened before. The guilt made me feel like three tons of lead were sitting in my stomach, and it stuck with me as I pressed the button to send the elevator to the first floor and stepped out into the main lobby. I felt a buzz in my pocket and pulled my phone out to see the notification.Marcus: Yo, there's a party in the pool house rn. Get your ass over here. I heavily sighed as I read the text. I really didn't feel like going out. Especially not after what had just happened with Leia. But maybe I needed a distraction, some action, fun. And Marcus
Beauty and the Bastard Chapter Sixteen: Beauty
Zach looked up from his dufflebag, pausing his sifting for just long enough to throw me that mother-fucking grin. "My, my," he mused, standing upright and crossing his arms over his chest. "It must be kismet, how we keep bumping into each other like this." I only stood there, dumbfounded and incredulous. "You fucking planned this!"Zach raised a brow. "Oh, you think I planned this? Why the fuck would I plan for us to be in the same room?" I threw my hands up in frustration. "I don't know! How am I supposed to know how your twisted brain works?" He rolled his neck and let out an exaggerated sigh, feigning mock disappointment at not being able to rile me up a bit more. He finally managed to pry his gaze away for a few moments, glancing around at the room as he did. "So, do the councelors always put two people of the opposite gender sharing a room, or should I start feeling flattered?" He asked, turning his gaze towards me, a raised eyebrow, and that fucking grin ghosting his lips. "
Beauty and the Bastard Chapter Fifteen: Beauty
This drive was supposed to take over 24 hours. So obviously, we had to stay the night somewhere. Haylie had told me that we were supposed to stop at the Hilton Inn for the night, and then we would drive the last ten hours to the hotel where we were going to stay for the rest of the trip. But we had made up enough time to the point where we could just drive the whole way to the D.C hotel. The TSO had booked one hotel room for every two students. I really hoped I would be roomed with Haylie or Jake. If I was not, I was going to be throwing hands with someone. We still had around thirty minutes left until we got to the hotel, and it couldn't have been any longer. I needed to get off of the bus and as far away from Zach as possible, or else I was literally going to fucking strangle him. He had spent at least fifteen minutes whistling a random tune that he had made up, making the pitches alternate between long and slow and short and fast. It had annoyed the fucking shit out of me. And
Beauty and the Bastard Chapter Fourteen: Beauty
*I ran through the woods, panting and gasping for air as beads of sweat formed along my forehead. I pushed my legs as hard as I could, running from something I couldn't name or see.**As I was running, my foot caught on a loose root, and I fell forward. I screamed and braced myself for the impact of my body on the ground, but it never came. I forced myself to open my eyes, confused, and saw the ground just inches below my face. When I looked up, I saw Jake holding me up by my shirt.**"Jake?" I asked, my brows plunging to the center of my forehead. My voice sounded like an echo, like I was in some sort of cave and not in the middle of the woods from the Exorcist.**His face held an expression of deep relief as he pulled me up and wrapped me in his arms. "Leia!" He whispered into my hair. "I've been looking for you everywhere. I've been so worried." His heavy breathing told me he'd been running as well. And his voice was laced with panic.**I matched his embrace, hugging him tightly. B
