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seventy-three/transition.
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2024-12-21 14:43:10
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Hated By The Bully King 74
Cora"Cora?"There's a light knock on my door, followed by a short pause, before it clicks open and a light brown head peeks in."Hey," Colt Montgomery says softly, flashing me a sweet, hopeful smile and widening the door. Ethan Aldridge stands behind him, offering me an identical smile. Well, he's trying to. He's nowhere as good at hiding his worry as Colt is, and the corners of his lips tremble slightly.They both know the combination to my lock. I'm not really sure when they convinced me to give it to them—the past week has been such a blur. But I guess they were sick and tired of not being able to see me. Truth is, I don't think I would have eaten anything these past few days if not for them.Colt is still all smiles as he strides inside and lowers himself on my desk chair. Ethan's more hesitant, carefully shutting the door and dropping down on the corner of my bed. His weight sinks it down, and I immediately feel the warmth of his body through the blanket wrapped around me. Still
Last Updated : 2024-12-22Hated By The Bully King 75
EthanColt's flirting with a girl outside Cora's room. Trying not to grit my teeth at how selfish he can be, I make my way toward the exit of the girls' dorm."Ethan, wait!" Colt calls after me. I don't stop. It's not long before he catches up to me. "Told you to wait up, man."I whirl around. "How could you flirt with a girl like that? With everything that's going on? With Cora locked in her room and refusing to come out?"His jaw falls open. "Are you kidding me right now? You think I was flirting with that girl? I was trying to get her claws off me." He gives me a betrayed, hurt look. "I thought you thought higher of me."I scrub my hand down my face. "Sorry. I just assumed...you're right, I do think highly of you. I just can't take it, Colt. I can't stand seeing her like this."He blows air out of his mouth as he leans back against the hallway wall. Many girls pass and throw us flirty smiles, and I wish I could just...I don't know. Maybe knock some sense into them? Do they really t
Last Updated : 2024-12-22Hated By The Bully King 76
CoraI lie in bed for another hour before forcing myself to the bathroom. Studying myself in the mirror, I notice how puffy and bloodshot my eyes are and how my dirty blonde hair looks like a mop. I wash my face with cold water and change into new clothes, then slip out of my room and head toward the rec room. Some of the kids are playing arcade games, and an ache of longing pricks my chest. It feels like forever since I played a game here.As I make my way toward the Princes' private game room, I catch sight of two giggling girls strutting in the same direction. Colt's girls. We nearly bump into each other as we reach the door. Both of them scrunch up their noses as though I smell like rotting fish, flip their perfect shiny hair, and prance into the room. Colt is at the dart board, a few darts in his hand, one straight on bullseye. The girls squeal, rushing over to him."Colty," one of them whines in a high-pitched voice. "We haven't hung out in forever."The other jumps in her place
Last Updated : 2024-12-22Hated By The Bully King 77
CoraEthan comes over later that night to help me catch up with school. We don't talk about anything other than homework. I don't think either of us is in the mood to chat, anyway.Minutes pass. Hours. My room is so quiet, the only sound coming from my pencil as it makes strokes across my scrap paper. I lift my eyes to Ethan. "I guess Colt decided to go to the party after all.""Yeah, he texted me earlier."I chew the back of the pencil. "I wish he were here instead."Ethan lowers his eyes to my desk. "Me, too."An hour later, Ethan leaves my room, wishing me good night and promising he'll be back tomorrow. I remain at my desk for a long time, not really thinking about anything but also thinking about everything.I force myself out of my chair and plop down on my bed, sweeping up my phone. Like I've been doing since the day he was snatched away, I Google Alessandro's name. Nothing. Then I do the same for his dad. Mr. Beckham's name is mentioned practically every day, either busy with
Last Updated : 2024-12-22Hated By The Bully King 78
CoraEthan arrives at the Tunnel, eyes wild with alarm. "What's going on?""It's Colt. He's smashed." I hand him my phone as I pull him into the Tunnel and toward the exit that leads outside the school gates.Ethan's emerald eyes widen as he watches the short video. "Colt never gets this drunk.""I know."This has to be because of Alessandro. Maybe Colt wasn't ready to face the reality until now, but it must have finally caught up to him.Once we're out of the Tunnel and outside Royal Elite's gates, Ethan slides his hand into mine and pulls me to the parking lot."Are you going to call your driver?" I ask."No, we'll use my car.""I didn't know you had a car here."He leads me to a dark car parked in the corner of the lot. It looks as expensive as all the others. "I have it here in case of emergencies. Most kids have cars here, though they mostly use them to sneak away to parties."We climb into the car and Ethan peels out of the lot. His driving is very composed and calculated, just
Last Updated : 2024-12-22Hated By The Bully King 79
CoraColt lifts his eyes to me and gives me a goofy smile. "Cora! You know you're so pretty?" He reaches to touch my face, but ends up smacking me instead. He chuckles sheepishly. "Oops, sorry." He tries again, and this time manages to stroke my cheek. "If the assholes at Royal Elite weren't such spoiled rich shits, you would be the most popular girl at school."I take his hand and lower it to his side. "You don't know what you're saying.""Of course I do!""You're drunk.""And you're so pretty." He lifts both his hands and places them on my face, gently jerking it closer to his. "You're pretty and you're smart and you're cool and fun and so awesome."His head slumps on my knees, eyes shut, his breathing gentle.I glance at Ethan through the rearview mirror. "He's out cold.""Hope we can get him to his dorm without getting caught by campus security."I play with Colt's short hair as we edge closer to campus. He looks so young and at peace when he sleeps, but there's something lurking
Last Updated : 2024-12-22Hated By The Bully King 80
CoraColt hasn't said a word to me all day. Hasn't answered any of my texts. From social media, I learned he went out with a few girls in the early afternoon. I try not to let it sting, because I know he's not trying to purposely hurt me, but it does hurt. Why is it so hard for him to be vulnerable? Why doesn't he want anyone to take care of him?I only hope he won't push me away. I couldn't bear losing him, too.Ethan's busy the whole day with work, so I spend most of the day in my dorm room, eating far too much junk and watching way too much TV. I try to block out the anxious thoughts that keep knocking against my skull—tonight's mission. I don't want to chicken out. I'm going to get answers from Asher Beckham.I can't stand being in my room like this. I make my way into the bathroom and splash cold water on my face. After I wipe it with a towel, I catch Heather McLauren glaring at me through the mirror's reflection.Slowly turning around, I say, "What?"With a snarl, she marches ov
Last Updated : 2024-12-22Hated By The Bully King 81
Cora"Thanks," I say as I let the driver help me out of the car. I take in the massive, exquisite building standing before me, my jaw hanging a little open. I almost forget how amazing this place is. The last time I was here...it was for the dinner Mr. Beckham invited me and my parents to. I remember the day like it happened yesterday, how Alessandro kept shooting me daggers. He was hurt and jealous that his father seemed to give more attention to me than him. A pained smile tugs my lips."Are you all right, miss?" the driver asks.I blink and nod. "Yeah. Sorry."As I head to the front door, it swings open to reveal a staff member dressed in a maid's uniform. "How may I help you?" she asks."I have an appointment with Mr. Beckham," I say, trying to sound confident. But my lips are trembling and I sound like a scared little mouse.The maid scans me from top to bottom, a confused look on her face. "You're the reporter from Fortune Daily?"I shift from one foot to the other. "I have an a
Last Updated : 2024-12-22
Latest chapter
Hated By The Bully King 130
CoraFour years laterAlessandro, Ethan, Colt and I stare at the mansion that sits before us, our jaws practically hitting the ground.Colt whistles. "That's a little bigger than our last house."I throw him an incredulous look. "Major understatement of the year. This isn't a mansion—it's a palace."He throws an arm around me and grins. "A palace fit for the most beautiful queen in the world. Our queen." He brushes his lips across my cheek.I playfully swat him away. "You know I don't like when you guys call me your queen.""Too bad. Because you are our queen. Just get used to it, Cora. The guys and I want to spoil you rotten. You gotta learn to accept it."I smile and shake my head. "Never."Ethan slides his hand into mine. "Ready to see our new home?""I'm more than ready."The four of us march up the stairs, where staff members scurry around to help us with our bags and welcome us in. I'm still trying to get used to the whole staff thing. The guys insisted we have them at our old h
Hated By The Bully King 129
CoraBeckham watches his son for a very long time, the fury seeming to grow even more intense. Then he finally sits forward, placing his palms on his desk. "What a little boy you are," he hisses. "You think you're in a damn romance movie? This is real life, Alessandro. In real life, you don't get to live in fantasy worlds. You don't get to decide what happens. You do what it takes to jump over everyone else, or else they will be the ones on top and they will step on you. So stop with this childhood nonsense. You'll marry a girl whom I see fit, someone who will help you advance in your life and career."Alessandro folds his arms over his chest, his fury a match for his father's. "Someone like Heather Mclauren?""Yes. Heather Mclauren is the perfect match for you.""Match," Colt mutters under his breath. "Who the hell gets matched up these days?"Alessandro lowers his hands on the desk, leaning close to stare his dad down. "You sent her after me, didn't you?""Of course I did! Someone h
Hated By The Bully King 128
CoraThe limo stops before the Beckham Mansion. I stare up at it from the window, once again marveling at how stunning it is. I can't believe just four months ago, I came here for the first time working at Alessandro's party. I remember that day as though it happened yesterday: how there were so many people, but Alessandro was still alone. How I saved his life, which led me down the path that would become my dream future. It's funny how one small act can change your life forever."Cora?"Ethan is holding out his hand for me. Colt and Alessandro have already climbed out of the car, Alessandro looking a little anxious. He's not trying to hide his emotions anymore—none of the guys are. The three handsome young men who stand before me are the true souls I have come to love with every fiber of my being.I accept Ethan's hand and let him help me out of the car. Colt puts his hand on my shoulder while Alessandro slides his hand into mine and gives it a reassuring squeeze. "Whatever happens,
Hated By The Bully King 127
CoraEthan's just as happy to see me at his door as Alessandro was. There's a change in his face, and as I make my way inside, I try to figure out what it is. He seems...happier, maybe? No, it's more than that. It's like—"What?" he asks with a laugh as he sits down at his desk and motions for me to come over."Sorry, was I staring?" I head over to him, where he pulls me onto his lap, my back pressed tightly to his chest, and his arms wrapped around my stomach. "I don't mean to. There's just something different about you.""There is?"I stretch my neck to scrutinize his mesmerizing emerald eyes. "You look alive.""Alive?" A soft chuckle reverberates through his chest. "Yeah, I think I'm breathing.""You're laughing, Ethan. A real one. I can't remember the last time I saw you like this."He tucks some hair behind my ear. "I'm happy, Cora. I think for the first time since my family died, I feel genuinely happy. It's like up until today, I was just trudging through life, going through th
Hated By The Bully King 126
CoraAlessandro's eyes fill with surprise when he opens the door. "Cora, hi.""Hi. Can I come in?""Sure." He widens the door.His desk is cluttered with papers—business documents. "Am I bothering you?""You never bother me," he says with a smile, but it doesn't quite reach his eyes.I take his hand and lead him to the bed, where we sit side by side. "Sandro, what's going on?""What?""I know something's bothering you. And I have a feeling it's not the three boyfriends thing."His cheeks puff up. "You know me really well, don't you?" He shakes his head. "It doesn't matter. I'm okay.""If we're going to be together, you need to be open and honest with me. You don't have to worry about protecting me. I want to be here for you. I want you to pour your heart out to me. I want to feel as close to you as I can.""I want that, too." He caresses my cheek, gazing at me with raw emotions. "I want that really badly."I press my lips to his palm. "Tell me what's going on."He turns away from me,
Hated By The Bully King 125
CoraThe four of us are quiet.Colt looks at Alessandro. "I'm sorry for being selfish. I guess I was a little jealous of how close you and Cora were getting. I've wanted something like that for a really long time. It was never my intention to steal her from you or anything. I want you to be happy, Sandro, really I do. But the more time I spent with you, Cora, the more I liked you. I didn't ask you to come to New York City for some romantic getaway. I wanted to escape my life for a few days, and I knew you would be the one to make me feel better. But it was never my intention to kiss you. It kind of just happened. I'm sorry for being so selfish, Sandro."Alessandro's quiet for a few seconds before shaking his head. "I'm the selfish one. A part of me suspected you and Ethan might like Cora, too. But I wanted her all to myself. We should have talked about it.""Like we're doing now?" Colt says with a wry smile. Then he faces me. "All I want is for the two of you to be happy. So if you an
Hated By The Bully King 124
CoraAnother week passes with Alessandro and Colt not speaking."That's it," I mutter Saturday morning. "It's time I take matters into my own hands."I'm sick of feeling confused and guilty. I'm sick of seeing three former best friends hardly saying a thing to each other.I send Ethan and Colt a text, telling them to meet me in the bowling alley in half an hour. Then I head over to Alessandro's room. I could send him a text, too, but I know he won't meet up with us. It's harder to refuse someone when they stand right in your face. Well, that's what I'm counting on, anyway.I knock a few times on his door, hoping he didn't go away for the weekend. A few seconds later, footsteps approach."Who is it?" his voice calls."Cora."I hold my breath. There's a good chance he'll ignore me.The air slowly leaves my mouth when I hear him turn the handle. He stands before me with an unreadable expression on his face. I look at him closely, making out the hint of emotion hiding behind his blank mas
Hated By The Bully King 123
CoraI try texting Ethan the rest of the night. He answers a few, usually one worded answers, assuring me he's okay, but that's about it. Colt and I text, too, talking about the silliest things in the world. I guess neither of us wants to broach the kiss, Alessandro, or even Ethan.Alessandro doesn't answer any of my texts. It's been a week already. Is he ever going to forgive me? Or at least talk to me?Somehow, I fall asleep. I wake up the next morning way too early, and the first thing to enter my mind is Ethan. I reach for my phone and send him a text.Me: Are you feeling better?He responds almost immediately.Ethan: A little.Me: I hate that you were alone yesterday.Ethan: I wouldn't have been the best company.Me: I don't care about that. I just didn't want you to feel so alone.He's quiet for a bit before he responds.Ethan: I am alone. The only one left in my family.That causes tears to prick my eyes.Me: Can I take you out today? I want to take your mind off things.Ethan:
Hated By The Bully King 122
CoraColt's talking to me, which is such a relief. Though he doesn't mention anything about New York or what happened right after. He, Ethan and I sit together during lunch, but Alessandro is nowhere to be found. I don't think he even eats lunch. And I can't voice my concerns with the guys because I don't want to cause any more drama.The fact that Alessandro and Colt are still not talking to each other is like a stab in the heart. I never meant to ruin their friendship. I don't think Alessandro talks to Ethan, either. He must feel so lonely.Friday morning, I'm woken up by a text from Alessandro. I'm so shocked and thrilled that I drop my phone. After quickly sweeping it off the floor, I read the text.Alessandro: Hard day for Ethan. You should make sure he's okay.My fingers fly across my phone screen.Me: What do you mean? Why is it a hard day?He looks at the text right away, but he doesn't respond.Me: Alessandro, why is today hard for Ethan?Finally, he responds.Alessandro: His
