school is kicking my as, so some promises might be broken...
CHARLOTTE At the point of contact, my knees damn near gave out on me.It was soft, and gentle. Just like the feel of his lips on mine.I reveled in it.But it still didn’t stop me from noticing how rigid Taide had gone.He remained frozen and immobile.Part of me understood it; I caught him off guard. But I was too taken by the feel of his lips on mine to stop or pull away.Right then, it felt like everything that had happened around me was leading to this exact moment.His hands hovered at my sides as though he didn’t know what to do with them, as if he was afraid that the moment he touched me, I’d flinch back and break away from this.I could feel his surprise, confusion, and reluctant restraint. But more than anything, I could feel the desire that was starting to match my own.And maybe that’s what gave me the confidence I needed.I raised my trembling hands to his face and gently cupped his jaw. My movements felt like they mostly weren’t mine, merely actions fueled by a mix of de
CHARLOTTE I vaguely realized this morning that I needed to try putting myself back together after the absolute insanity that was spring break. The school would be back in session in two weeks, and it felt almost unbelievable that two weeks from now, I was expected to just slip back into my old routine of going to and from classes most of the week. It didn’t help that normally, with resumption creeping up this closely, I’d be darting about second-hand shops in search of books and as many reading materials as I could get on discount. My eyes shifted from the carpet to my left wall, or what used to be my left wall. I didn’t really have to worry about doing that anymore, and from the piles of books stacked up on that thing, I probably wouldn’t have to worry about doing that for a while. I walked over to the bookshelf and eyed the titles on the spine before lifting my hand and running it over the wood. I rubbed my fingers together, not failing to notice that the shelf had star
CHARLOTTEI crept down the stairs and to the basement, pausing to listen to the sound of screws tightening the closer I got.I landed on the floor and immediately fixed my eyes on the person I had come here to see.Taide, bent over a dismantled, vintage-looking car as he toyed with something under the hood. His arms were lightly streaked with grease, and sweat dripped down his skin as his muscles flexed with movement.I paused to take him in for a moment, but he immediately stiffened at my presence.He always knew when I was near.I waited for him to turn around and acknowledge me, even if it was to send me away. But Taide merely resumed his tinkering, his movements more jerky and distracted now.A sad smirk crawled up my face.I drew closer to him until I was right by his side. Yet, he didn’t bother turning around. “Would be nice if you could at least look up at me.”He didn’t respond to my words. He just continued to tinker with the engine for a moment, then as though my stare burni
24 HOURS AFTER JUNIOR YEAR GRADUATION PRESENT DAY CHARLOTTE Whoever said a person’s world couldn’t go up in flames in the blink of an eye deserves an award. It’s the best lie ever told. I’m standing alone, even though I’m surrounded. By the same people who set out to destroy me ever since I showed up at this school two years ago. I swore they would never succeed. I swore to never let them. Why did I think they would let me go back home for summer break in peace? Three identical pairs of eyes watch me, stalk me, degrade me admist the small crowd. And it takes every marrow in my bones to not shiver under the intensity of the three brothers’ gazes. Once upon a time, one of them taught me what it meant to trust. To love. The other showed me friendship like I’d never known before. And the last… My eyes lift to Caeson’s gaze, nausea settling in my stomach at the venomous triumph sparkling in his cold stare. But now, all I know is pain. I’ll never let you forget wh
SIX MONTHS EARLIER CHARLOTTE 8:34 am. Goddess save my soul. Like I need any more reasons to be laughed at and treated like a pariah at Lupin Prep, my alarm chooses today of all days to not go off at the set time. I shove my cell phone in my backpack, adjusting my uniform as best as I can without a mirror in sight as I race down the empty halls of the main building. There isn't a single person in sight. Expected. Since the first assembly of second semester started thirty minutes ago. My heart pounds in my chest the closer I get to the auditorium doors. In this school, I could be matching every other student in a sea of black clothes and still stand out like a goddessdamned neon sign. That’s just how it is. How it has been for the last two years I’ve been schooling in the playground of the elites. The turf of the best of the best. The royalty. The rich. And the famous. If you don’t fit into those three categories, then you just don’t belong. Unfortunately, I fit into neit
CHARLOTTEI’ve been cursed.There’s no further explanation for it.One year. One whole year of torture, torment, the most bitter form of mental exertion brought upon me by the same three boys the moon goddess has now destined to be my… fated mates?My life companions?My other halves?All three of them?My mouth runs dry, and it’s suddenly difficult to swallow through the turmoil pooling like lava in my chest. It just can’t be.It’s not possible.But even as I reject the notion with every atom of my being, there’s only so much denial my heart can take. Especially when it’s pounding in my chest with more vigour than it ever has. I can’t tear my eyes off them, despite the fact that our shared moment is drawing the attention of almost everyone one in the room.“Caeson?” King Auric presses, tilting his head when his son doesn’t react to his name. He doesn’t react to anything. His face brews like a storm cloud, and all that venom in his gaze is focused right at me. I lift my chin, refusing
CHARLOTTE“You always do this, Sean!” The sound of a curling iron hitting the sink counter travels through the closed bathroom door, as Madeline yells on the phone.It’s another one of those days. Another one of those endless arguments she always gets into with her on again-off again boyfriend, Sean.“I don’t even want to go to the party anymore, do you always have to be such a goddessdamned asshole?” Madeline barks.Gosh.I wish my comforter would open up and swallow me whole.Mads is my best friend, probably my only friend, and I love her to motherfucking shreds. But if I have to listen to one more fall out between this toxic ass couple, I’ll literally loose my damn mind. At least more than I already have in the last five days.Six months ago, life here was a breeze. I didn’t have to look over my shoulder wondering when the next Prince would round the corridor with a harem of his sluts to put me down, or worse, stick a ‘free blowie for $1’ note slapped on my back the second he walks
CHARLOTTEI screamed as water filled my ears and nose while sinking deeper into the pool. The sound of water splashing like a cry out to the lingering guests standing by the poolside."Oh my gosh!" One of them cackled, as I flopped flailingly into the water, struggling to breathe. I thrashed in the pool, nervousness clouding my brain, and in my shock, I forgot to swim.They laughed, seeing my struggles, the obnoxious sound, reaching my brain even as I flopped around helplessly.Among them, I recognized Avaria’s sneer, "Is she dumb? The pool isn't deep.""What do you expect from a low-ranker? I bet she’s never been to a pool before." Chortles filled the air, as I struggled to keep afloat, feeling the pool floor under my feet, my lungs aching, and a faint irritation building up as my brain finally registered the fact that I could, infact, swim.Embarrassment clouded my face as I quickly pushed myself out of the water, gasping as I held on to the railing. I coughed, staring around the p