CoraAs we continue playing, a nasally voice says, "Colty!" and a girl far too skinny to be healthy flies into the room and wraps her arms around his middle from behind.Colt pays no attention to her, his focus on beating me."You promised you'd play with me." She pouts. Then her eyes flick to mine. Anger burns in them, but I pay no attention to her, either."Colty!" she whines."Another time, Melinda. I'm busy here."I'm too focused on the game to look at her, but I feel her shooting arrows at me. After a while, she marches out of the room and slams the door behind her."I think she's pissed," I joke. Then I beat him and raise my arms in victory. "Oh yeah! Who's your queen? Who's your queen?" I do a victory dance which probably makes me look like a total fool. Colt's laughing so hard he clutches his stomach.Ethan and Alessandro's gazes are pasted on me, Ethan with humor in his eyes and Alessandro's lips slightly raised."Good job." Colt holds out his hand for a fist bump and I bump
CoraI sit down as Colt challenges a few other students. He whips their asses, throwing me a proud smile. After he's beaten every single one, he flops down near me, wiping some sweat off his forehead."I didn't know you were so competitive," I say."And you find it totally hot.""I never said that."He playfully digs his shoulder into mine.Alessandro stands there with his arms crossed over his chest and Ethan studies something on his phone. I can't believe how much fun I'm having with these guys, and I know they're having fun, too. Who would have thought something like this would ever happen?I don't want it to end.Jumping to my feet, I say, "I have the perfect thing to play."Colt raises his brows."Bowling!"They all frown."Come on, it'll be fun!""I don't bowl," Alessandro says.The other two don't look particularly excited, either."Have any of you ever bowled?" I ask."I have when I was a kid," Ethan says."I've had my share of bowling parties," Colt says.Alessandro flips som
CoraAlessandro stands there for a moment, studying the ball and then the lane, the lane and then the ball. He looks totally lost.I walk up to him. "Put your fingers in these holes. And then try to aim for the middle.""I know how to play," he snaps.I hold up my hands and step back.He sticks his hands into the holes all wrong and holds it wrong."Alessandro, you're not doing it right." When I try to reach for the ball, he whips it away."I know what I'm doing.""Clearly not." I go for the ball again but he yanks it away. "Geez, dude, let me show you how to do it.""I said, I can do it.""Who's being stubborn now?" I grab the ball and his fingers slide out. "Like this." I stick my fingers in the right way, then hold it out to him. He once again puts them in wrong. "No, this way." I take his hand and guide his fingers into the holes. His skin feels so warm, and because I'm standing so close to him his smell engulfs me.His body stiffens at my touch. He makes a move to yank his hand o
CoraColt's not only competitive, he's a hardass, too. He works me so hard during our first self-defense training session that I almost pass out. I'm not at all in shape. When we're done, I'm so exhausted and drenched that all I want is to shower and roll into bed. Ethan doesn't let me, though. He spends the whole afternoon helping me catch up with my schoolwork. Truth is, I'm basically holding at the same pace as the rest of my class, and I know he knows it. Does this mean it's an excuse for...what, exactly? To spend time with me? But we don't do anything other than homework, hardly even talk.Later that afternoon, Alessandro sends me a text, asking if I want to join him and the others for a movie. The school has a small movie theater that plays current and non-current movies, but I never ventured over because I didn't have a death wish. Though I've always yearned for it. I quickly tap out a YES! even though I'm sore and so exhausted.Ethan doesn't join us, though, because he's stuck
CoraThe rest of the week passes by uneventfully. I've gotten used to the Princes walking me to class, and yes, the mini fridge is still in my room. I've fallen in love with the thing.I'm doing better in my classes, thanks to Ethan, I even nearly got a perfect score on our latest pre-calculus quiz. My lunches and dinners are spent with the Princes and I train every other day with Colt.After an extremely brutal session with Colt Friday night, I roll into bed and plan to sleep until noon Saturday.But someone pounds on my door at nine o'clock in the morning."Go away," I moan.The pounding grows louder and then a voice calls, "Get up, Super Cee!"One of my eyes pops open. Colt? With a groan, I drag myself out of bed and pad to the door, covering my mouth as I yawn. When I pull the door open, I find Colt, Ethan, and Alessandro."Morning, sleepyhead." Colt flashes me a grin.I groan again and march into my room, disappearing under my blanket."No, none of that." My blanket is yanked off
CoraEthan climbs onto the bar surrounding the queue line. I hop up next to him. We wait a short while before the guy opens the car door for us. Four seats make up a row. Alessandro is at my right while Ethan is on my left, and Colt is near Ethan."Enjoy!" the guy calls as he starts the ride.We make a turn to the left and then begin our ascent. I clutch onto the handles, kicking my dangling legs, every part of me wound up with thrill. Ethan's wearing a small smile on his lips, his face tilted toward the sun, his hair pushed back from his face.Colt's whooping."Cut that out," Alessandro mutters, his voice...strange. When I glance at him, I find him clutching the handles so tightly his knuckles are white. His eyes are squeezed shut."Alessandro, are you okay?" I ask.Colt chuckles. "He's good. Just a little—""I'm fine," he stresses. But from the way he grips the handles and squeezes his eyes even tighter, I know that's a lie.Ethan's head leans toward me. "Sandro's scared of heights.
CoraI'm so wiped when we get back to campus that I collapse on my bed. My head hits something soft. The narwhal. I reach for it and hold it in my arms, smiling as I relive the moment Alessandro tossed it to me. I hug it close to my chest. "The guy who won you is the most puzzling person in the world. Will I ever understand him?"Digging my phone out of my pocket, I tap out a text to Alessandro.Me: I never thanked you for the narwhal. So thank you.Alessandro: Was easy to beat Colt.Me: Ha.Alessandro: He thinks he can beat me, but I win every time.Me: Don't you ever get sick of being the best at everything?I add a laughing emoji to show him I'm just teasing.Alessandro: The only way to be successful in life is to win.Me: It's okay to lose sometimes. It gives you character. Makes you humble. Makes you want to try even harder the next time.He doesn't answer. I stare at my phone, waiting for the text to come. But it doesn't.I fling my phone away and hug my new friend. "I think I p
CoraFinally after a long week, Friday evening rolls around. I'm so excited to go home and celebrate Mom's birthday. It's been so long since I've seen my parents—since the pool incident.Once all my bags are packed, I ask a staff member to help me carry them outside and call for a car. I send off a text to the guys, reminding them that I'm going home this weekend. Colt and Ethan have already said their goodbyes during lunch, but Alessandro wasn't around. He hasn't responded to my texts, either.The staff member carries out the large present I bought for Mom. I know she's going to love it."The car will be here any moment, Miss Williams," he tells me."Thanks so much."I catch sight of Alessandro walking with Henry Miles. They say a few more things to each other before Mr. Miles pats his back and climbs into a waiting limo. When Alessandro notices me, he heads over, his eyes dipping to my bags."You're leaving?" he asks."Going home for the weekend, remember? I texted you twice.""Oh,
CoraOnce Alessandro finished eating, I take his bag and lead him to my room. It's not much, less than half the size of my room at Royal Elite, but the character makes up for it. Years and years of things gathered since I was a baby, and a lot of pink because I had a stage when I was five and was obsessed with the color. I wanted to fix it up, but then Dad lost his job and it didn't seem like a worthy expense."It looks...""Pink," I finish with a laugh. "Thanks to my five-year-old self.""I was going to say like you had a happy childhood."Oh.He takes the suitcase and places it on the bed, unzipping it and taking out his clothes."I'll just remove some of my clothes from the drawers and make room in my closet," I say.I'm not sure if I should leave him to his own devices or offer to help. But when I see he's got a handle on things, I tell him I'll be back later and head into the kitchen, where my parents are sitting at the table, their heads bent, whispering."What's the big secret,
CoraAs soon as the driver finishes helping us bring the bags to the front door, it bursts open. "Cora!" Mom flings her arms around me and squeezes me so tight I might pop. "I've missed you so much. So, so much! Let me have a look at you." She steps back and studies me from head to toe. Her eyes shine with love and pride. "Oh, honey. You're so beautiful.""Mom," I hiss, my face flushing. My eyes slide to Alessandro."Oh, Alessandro! What an honor to have you in our home!" She throws her arms around him and squeezes him, too. "Welcome, welcome. You and your father are always welcome in our home."Alessandro stands as still as a statue in Mom's arms. Totally stunned. Like he's not used to getting hugs.Dad grabs me in for a hug, and then I'm back in Mom's arms, and then Dad wraps his arms around the two of us. I might have been embarrassed if I didn't relish this as much as them."Come in," Mom says as she takes Alessandro's hand and leads him into the house. "We prepared some refreshme
CoraFinally after a long week, Friday evening rolls around. I'm so excited to go home and celebrate Mom's birthday. It's been so long since I've seen my parents—since the pool incident.Once all my bags are packed, I ask a staff member to help me carry them outside and call for a car. I send off a text to the guys, reminding them that I'm going home this weekend. Colt and Ethan have already said their goodbyes during lunch, but Alessandro wasn't around. He hasn't responded to my texts, either.The staff member carries out the large present I bought for Mom. I know she's going to love it."The car will be here any moment, Miss Williams," he tells me."Thanks so much."I catch sight of Alessandro walking with Henry Miles. They say a few more things to each other before Mr. Miles pats his back and climbs into a waiting limo. When Alessandro notices me, he heads over, his eyes dipping to my bags."You're leaving?" he asks."Going home for the weekend, remember? I texted you twice.""Oh,
CoraI'm so wiped when we get back to campus that I collapse on my bed. My head hits something soft. The narwhal. I reach for it and hold it in my arms, smiling as I relive the moment Alessandro tossed it to me. I hug it close to my chest. "The guy who won you is the most puzzling person in the world. Will I ever understand him?"Digging my phone out of my pocket, I tap out a text to Alessandro.Me: I never thanked you for the narwhal. So thank you.Alessandro: Was easy to beat Colt.Me: Ha.Alessandro: He thinks he can beat me, but I win every time.Me: Don't you ever get sick of being the best at everything?I add a laughing emoji to show him I'm just teasing.Alessandro: The only way to be successful in life is to win.Me: It's okay to lose sometimes. It gives you character. Makes you humble. Makes you want to try even harder the next time.He doesn't answer. I stare at my phone, waiting for the text to come. But it doesn't.I fling my phone away and hug my new friend. "I think I p
CoraEthan climbs onto the bar surrounding the queue line. I hop up next to him. We wait a short while before the guy opens the car door for us. Four seats make up a row. Alessandro is at my right while Ethan is on my left, and Colt is near Ethan."Enjoy!" the guy calls as he starts the ride.We make a turn to the left and then begin our ascent. I clutch onto the handles, kicking my dangling legs, every part of me wound up with thrill. Ethan's wearing a small smile on his lips, his face tilted toward the sun, his hair pushed back from his face.Colt's whooping."Cut that out," Alessandro mutters, his voice...strange. When I glance at him, I find him clutching the handles so tightly his knuckles are white. His eyes are squeezed shut."Alessandro, are you okay?" I ask.Colt chuckles. "He's good. Just a little—""I'm fine," he stresses. But from the way he grips the handles and squeezes his eyes even tighter, I know that's a lie.Ethan's head leans toward me. "Sandro's scared of heights.
CoraThe rest of the week passes by uneventfully. I've gotten used to the Princes walking me to class, and yes, the mini fridge is still in my room. I've fallen in love with the thing.I'm doing better in my classes, thanks to Ethan, I even nearly got a perfect score on our latest pre-calculus quiz. My lunches and dinners are spent with the Princes and I train every other day with Colt.After an extremely brutal session with Colt Friday night, I roll into bed and plan to sleep until noon Saturday.But someone pounds on my door at nine o'clock in the morning."Go away," I moan.The pounding grows louder and then a voice calls, "Get up, Super Cee!"One of my eyes pops open. Colt? With a groan, I drag myself out of bed and pad to the door, covering my mouth as I yawn. When I pull the door open, I find Colt, Ethan, and Alessandro."Morning, sleepyhead." Colt flashes me a grin.I groan again and march into my room, disappearing under my blanket."No, none of that." My blanket is yanked off
CoraColt's not only competitive, he's a hardass, too. He works me so hard during our first self-defense training session that I almost pass out. I'm not at all in shape. When we're done, I'm so exhausted and drenched that all I want is to shower and roll into bed. Ethan doesn't let me, though. He spends the whole afternoon helping me catch up with my schoolwork. Truth is, I'm basically holding at the same pace as the rest of my class, and I know he knows it. Does this mean it's an excuse for...what, exactly? To spend time with me? But we don't do anything other than homework, hardly even talk.Later that afternoon, Alessandro sends me a text, asking if I want to join him and the others for a movie. The school has a small movie theater that plays current and non-current movies, but I never ventured over because I didn't have a death wish. Though I've always yearned for it. I quickly tap out a YES! even though I'm sore and so exhausted.Ethan doesn't join us, though, because he's stuck
CoraAlessandro stands there for a moment, studying the ball and then the lane, the lane and then the ball. He looks totally lost.I walk up to him. "Put your fingers in these holes. And then try to aim for the middle.""I know how to play," he snaps.I hold up my hands and step back.He sticks his hands into the holes all wrong and holds it wrong."Alessandro, you're not doing it right." When I try to reach for the ball, he whips it away."I know what I'm doing.""Clearly not." I go for the ball again but he yanks it away. "Geez, dude, let me show you how to do it.""I said, I can do it.""Who's being stubborn now?" I grab the ball and his fingers slide out. "Like this." I stick my fingers in the right way, then hold it out to him. He once again puts them in wrong. "No, this way." I take his hand and guide his fingers into the holes. His skin feels so warm, and because I'm standing so close to him his smell engulfs me.His body stiffens at my touch. He makes a move to yank his hand o
CoraI sit down as Colt challenges a few other students. He whips their asses, throwing me a proud smile. After he's beaten every single one, he flops down near me, wiping some sweat off his forehead."I didn't know you were so competitive," I say."And you find it totally hot.""I never said that."He playfully digs his shoulder into mine.Alessandro stands there with his arms crossed over his chest and Ethan studies something on his phone. I can't believe how much fun I'm having with these guys, and I know they're having fun, too. Who would have thought something like this would ever happen?I don't want it to end.Jumping to my feet, I say, "I have the perfect thing to play."Colt raises his brows."Bowling!"They all frown."Come on, it'll be fun!""I don't bowl," Alessandro says.The other two don't look particularly excited, either."Have any of you ever bowled?" I ask."I have when I was a kid," Ethan says."I've had my share of bowling parties," Colt says.Alessandro flips som