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thirty-two.
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2024-11-18 01:43:45Related chapters
Hated By The Bully King thirty-three.
Cora"You didn't have to do that," I say as he greets people on the way. "Clearly I'm not wanted here.""Don't sweat it, Cee. You're a Royal Elite and you're welcome here. If anyone has a problem with that, they can take it up with me."I kind of like the protection vibe I'm getting from him. Obviously I don't want to be some damsel who needs a guy to take care of her, but it feels so good to have someone stick up for me for a change."Thanks," I tell him when we reach the immaculate room with all the other kids, who are either dancing to the track the DJ is playing, making out in every nook and cranny, or drinking themselves into oblivion."Don't mention it. Want a drink?" He sweeps two red cups off the table and hands one to me. "Cheers." He clinks his cup to mine before throwing his head back and guzzling the whole thing down.I stare down at my cup which is obviously filled with beer. I've drank at parties before, but I don't want to let my guard down completely. As comfortable as
Last Updated : 2024-11-18Hated By The Bully King thirty-four.
Cora"Beckett?" I ask as I shield my eyes from the lights. "What's going on?"A wicked laugh fills the area. "How pathetic are you, Peasant Bitch," the familiar voice of Heather snarls. "Did you actually think Beckett liked you? As if anyone would like a poor loser like you."Even though the flashlights are still shining in my eyes, I can make out forms all around me. Heather, Jayson, their friends, and a handful of others. And then Beckett standing near Heather, his lips curled into a sneer. Not the sweet smile he showered me with all night.Every cell in my body pricks with betrayal and disappointment. I knew it. I knew it was too good to be true.With a scowl, I rise to my feet. "What do you want, Heather?" I demand.She storms over and gets in my face. "Do you have any idea how much trouble I'm still in because of that shit you pulled at my party? My parents cut me off for an entire month. I'm forced to wear the same outfits twice!"I fold my arms across my chest. "Boo hoo?""I to
Last Updated : 2024-11-18Hated By The Bully King thirty-five.
CoraMy eyes barely opened to slits, I see Alessandro falls to his knees and gather me in his arms. He holds me close to his chest, taking off in the direction of the parked cars.He leaps into the passenger seat of an expensive sports car as Colt takes the driver's seat."Floor it!" Alessandro yells.With a screech of tires, Colt pulls out of the property and zooms away. I'm throbbing with pain all over that I can barely register what's going on. I think I'm still in Alessandro's arms. And I think I feel how strong and warm his body is. And I think he smells really good.Colt makes a sharp turn, sending me and Alessandro sliding across the seat. He tightens his hold on me before I smash into the car door.I think I pass out for a few seconds, because the next thing I know, Alessandro flings the door open before the car comes to a stop and races to the Tunnel. Colt is not far behind. He dashes out the girls' dorm and toward the boys'."You're not taking her to the nurse?" Colt huffs a
Last Updated : 2024-11-18Hated By The Bully King thirty-six.
CoraThe guys are quiet as they continue pressing on my wounds. They keep peeking at them with slight frantic looks, even Alessandro. Does he actually...care that I'm hurt? He, the guy who hates my guts and made it his mission to get rid of me from day one? A part of me wonders if this is some sort of prank, like maybe he and the guys are pretending to care so they can hurt me even worse in the future. Maybe I should shove them away and tell them to leave me the hell alone. But then I remember the way Alessandro took the guys down, the way he carried me in his arms, the way Colt used his ninja moves, and the shocked and worried look on Ethan's face when he saw me in this state. There's just no way they're not sincere."Alessandro, can you take over for me?" Ethan asks. "I want to clean her other cuts."Alessandro leans forward and applies pressure to my other wound with his free hand, his eyes dead-locked on mine, still carrying slight hesitation and fear."Am I doing it right?" Colt
Last Updated : 2024-11-18Hated By The Bully King thirty-seven.
CoraI wake up to excruciating pain all over my body. When my eyes snap open, I discover I'm not in my room at the dorm but in a strange one. The white walls are bare, not even a clock. It smells like...guy.Everything comes crashing down on me. The party last night. Being pelted by tomatoes and then rocks and stones. Getting saved by Alessandro and Colt. The two of them and Ethan cleaning my wounds.Raising my head a little, I search the room, which is so spotless it almost looks like it's not even in use. Like it belongs in an ad in some rich magazine. That's when I spy Alessandro half-lying on a chair near his desk and Ethan sprawled out on the floor.I understand why Alessandro's here—this is his room—but Ethan spent the night here, too?When I try to sit up, my body explodes in such intense pain that I cry out and flop back down. Both Alessandro and Ethan's heads jerk up, and when they find me awake, they bolt to their feet and hurry over. Alessandro stands a few feet behind Etha
Last Updated : 2024-11-18Hated By The Bully King thirty-eight.
CoraWith another unsure look thrown at me, Ethan leaves the room. Colt pulls Alessandro's desk chair closer to the bed and plops down, presenting me with another one of his boyish smiles.I can't help but laugh, even though it makes my body ache."What?" he asks."Do you know what kind of effect your smile has on girls?"His grins. "Yep."I laugh again and shake my head. But that makes the bed shake, which makes my body shake, and I release a soft moan.Colt's on his feet, his eyes crazed with worry. "You good?""I'm fine," I assure him. "But maybe I shouldn't move. It's okay, Colt, sit down. I'm not going to break."He nods and sits down."That was some sick karate moves, by the way," I tell him. "I didn't know you were such a ninja."He offers me a smile. "My dad got me into karate when I was barely out of diapers. You know, to learn self-defense in case I got kidnapped or something. I didn't think I'd actually have to use my skills."I release a deep breath when the memories from
Last Updated : 2024-11-18Hated By The Bully King thirty-nine.
CoraEthan cradles me carefully in his arms as he makes his way to the girls' dorm, Colt following behind. Ethan's chest is so hard, but soft at the same time. Not too massive, but pretty big. The warmness from his body seeps into mine, making me feel like I'm wrapped in a toasty cocoon. My eyes droop a few times, only to snap open by Ethan's movements.When we get to my room, I almost dig my claws into him, not wanting him to remove me from that comfortable cocoon.Ethan lowers me on my bed, then pulls my blanket up to my chin. "Are you sure you'll be okay here all by yourself?"Colt fluffs my pillows, but they're nowhere as soft as Alessandro's."I'm sure," I say. "Besides, you guys will get expelled if they catch you in here past ten."I crane my neck toward the door, checking if Alessandro is coming down the hallway. Hoping he is. But I don't see anyone other than a girl heading to the bathroom with her caddy. In fact, I haven't seen him all day since he brought me breakfast. Etha
Last Updated : 2024-11-18Hated By The Bully King forty.
CoraMonday morning, I cover myself from neck to ankle, hiding every single one of my wounds from view. It's a good thing my face is clear.Yanking on a sweater, I try not to groan. Is it too hot to wear a sweater in this weather? And the tights...I'll look like an idiot. But at least you can't see the evidence of Friday night's attack. I bet Heather, Jayson, and their asshole friends will mock me the whole day. And like in the past, I won't have anyone on my side.After swallowing down my pain medication, I sling my backpack over my shoulder, trying not to wince, and wrap my fingers around the doorknob. I can do this. I've been doing it for the past two months. I survived before. I will survive again. And I made a promise to myself last night that I'll give Royal Elite Academy one last shot. If I'm attacked one more time, I'm gone. Done with the place and its damn students. A part of me still clings to the school, to the hope of my future. Because I don't want anything to stand in th
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
