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forty-one.
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Hated By The Bully King forty-two.
Cora"Are you just going to stand there?" Alessandro asks as he swipes to the next page of his menu.For a second, I worry again this is a trick. Maybe Alessandro plans to get the whole school to "accidentally" spill their lunches all over me? But then I remember their heated conversation in Alessandro's room. Alessandro was pissed that Jayson and Heather took things too far. And the way he held my head in his lap..."Cora, sit," Ethan offers.I'm about to pull out the chair, when he leaps to his feet and yanks it out. I get a whiff of manly soap. He smells so freakin' good. "Thanks," I tell him as I lower myself on the chair.Ethan slides my menu over. Still reeling from all this, my hand is a little shaky as I flip it open. My eyes soak in all the options. Everything looks so damn good.After a few minutes of quietly studying our menus, Alessandro waves his hand and a waiter flies over in less than five seconds. Definitely faster than when they serve me and the rest of the school. "
Last Updated : 2024-11-18Hated By The Bully King forty-three.
CoraColt orders a steak dish, too, and soon we're all munching on our food. God, this is amazing. Maybe the best steak I've ever eaten. No wonder these things are so expensive. Colt grins when he sees me gobbling it down like I haven't eaten in days.Antoine returns to our table. "Can I get you anything else?"Alessandro just stares in front of him with his cold attitude, Ethan shakes his head, and Colt says, "A glass of apple cider. Please and thank you." He winks at me, which makes me smile.Antoine turns to me. "Anything, Miss?""Please call me Cora. And um...I don't know. Everything looks so good...""I'll give you some time to think it over." He smiles and heads to another table."I really shouldn't order more food," I say. "I'll get so fat."Colt's gaze drops to my body. "You're not fat.""You can't see anything under this nun outfit."He laughs. "I've seen you without layers. You're not fat at all.""I've gained a lot since I started school here. And someone at this table comp
Last Updated : 2024-11-18Hated By The Bully King forty-four.
CoraAfter dinner, I open my door and find Ethan standing there. "Hey," I say.His eyes immediately dip to my wounds.I gently hug my upper arms. "I'm not in as much pain anymore."His eyes slowly lift to meet mine. "I'm glad. I stopped by in case you need help with homework.""Sure I can use the help, thanks. I'm kind of drowning in science and math."He drags a second chair to my desk and sits down as I bring over my textbooks."Sorry I'm slow," I say as I settle down on my chair. "I don't know if I'll ever keep up with the rest of you guys." I open my science book and start flipping to the right page.He lowers his hand on mine. My breath catches in my throat when my skin burns. He's touched me in the past, but I've never felt this before.His gaze drops to our hands and he quickly removes his. Did he feel it, too?"You're not slow, Cora," he says. "I studied with you over the weekend. You're smart, you just haven't received the kind of education we've had all our lives. It'll be h
Last Updated : 2024-11-18Hated By The Bully King forty-five.
CoraEthan returns a few minutes later with a badass-looking laptop. It's black and red, and the keyboard has built-in red and green lights behind the keys. Pretty cool. Lifting it a bit, he says, "My gaming laptop."I remove everything from the desk and he sets it up."I wish I had more time to play games," I say as I sit down next to him. "The only ones I play are at the arcade. But it's no fun when you don't have someone to play with.""You can always come to our private game room." He attaches a matching red and black mouse."I doubt Alessandro would like that," I mutter.He signs into his account and loads the game."Which game is it?" I ask."One that'll be released in a few months.""Ooh, am I getting special access to a game before anyone else?"His lips rise a little. "Yeah. We're not really allowed to show the game to anyone yet, but since I am the owner, I think I can make an exception.""I feel really special right now," I joke. But I'm not joking at all."The game's almos
Last Updated : 2024-11-18Hated By The Bully King forty-six.
CoraI'm sitting in entrepreneurship, reading my novel and trying to blot out the guys throwing vulgar comments my way. I don't even know who they are, but I think they run with Jayson's crew. It's a little hard to concentrate on the book because they're so freakin' loud."Shut your damn mouths before I make you," a rough voice says. A second later, someone throws himself in the seat next to me.I blink when I see it's Alessandro, sitting there with his arms folded over his chest, glaring at the spot before him, russet hair disheveled perfectly.Jayson's friends watch us for a second, scowls on their faces, then preoccupy themselves with something else."Hey..." I say.He slightly inclines his head.We both sit there, me glancing at him and he still glaring at the spot in front of him.I return my attention to my book. Finally, it's quiet and I can read."You weren't at breakfast," he says.I look over at him. "What? Oh, I overslept a little."He reaches for his bookbag and rummages i
Last Updated : 2024-11-18Hated By The Bully King forty-seven.
CoraEthan doesn't stop by to offer to help me with homework. A part of me is a little disappointed, because I really like spending time with him and getting to know him. I don't understand why he showed me the game last night—I mean, he's not allowed to and he wanted to...share something with me? Maybe this was his way of letting some of the pain off his chest? I don't know if he has anyone to talk to about this stuff. I don't think the guys get all mushy gushy with each other. Though I can't forget the conversation I overhead last month in their private game room, where Alessandro told Ethan and Colt that his dad was auctioning his mom's clothes. Maybe Ethan doesn't feel comfortable opening up to them.I don't know if this means he'll open up to me or anything, but it was nice to get a small glimpse into his heart. Maybe he feels like he revealed too much, though, hence his absence. Not that he owes me anything. Still, should I text him? Nah, that'd be weird. I mean, I'm not sure we
Last Updated : 2024-11-18Hated By The Bully King forty-eight.
CoraAlessandro returns a few minutes later with a can of Coke."Thanks," I say as he hands it to me."I called the cleaning crew to clean up the spilled soda," he says. He doesn't sit back down near me, just stands before me. I pop the top and guzzle down nearly half the can. I didn't realize how thirsty I am. I guess nearly being punched in the face could do that to a person.He watches me as I chug, and my eyes are pasted on his. I can't read the expression in his eyes, but there's something there. Something I can't identify. The hardness is still there, though, just barely."That was good," I say when the can is empty. Alessandro takes it from me and tosses it into the trash bin."You didn't have to do that."He stands before me and crosses his arms over his chest. "Are your wounds okay?""Yeah, they're fine. I think. Charlotte..." I slide up my sleeve and study the wound on my arm. Thankfully, it's not bleeding."You're made of tough stuff," he says absentmindedly.I look at him.
Last Updated : 2024-11-18Hated By The Bully King forty-nine.
CoraMy phone rings, wrenching me out of my thoughts. Glancing at the screen, I see it's Elissa wanting to video chat."Bestie!" she says when I take the call."Bestie!" I try to return the greeting just as enthusiastically, but my head is still a jumbled mess."Feels like forever since we talked," she says with a pout. "Sorry, I've been so busy with the dance and everything."Pushing any Alessandro related thoughts out of my head, I focus my full attention on Elissa. "How's it going, by the way? Ooh, did Jesse Hills ask you out?"She sighs wistfully. "Not yet. I don't know if he ever will. But at least I'm putting all my focus on getting the dance on its feet. I can't believe it's this weekend.""Elissa, why don't you ask Jesse out?"She blinks at me. "What?"I shrug. "Girls do it all the time.""Yeah, but..." She shakes her head. "I like him too much. It'll hurt like hell if he says no.""At least you'll stop pining after him."She thinks about it for a few seconds. "Maybe you're ri
Last Updated : 2024-11-18
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Hated By The Bully King sixty.
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,
Hated By The Bully King fifty-nine.
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
Hated By The Bully King fifty-eight.
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,
Hated By The Bully King fifty-seven.
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
Hated By The Bully King fifty-six.
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.
Hated By The Bully King fifty-five.
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
Hated By The Bully King fifty-four.
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
Hated By The Bully King fifty-three.
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
Hated By The Bully King fifty-two.
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
