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twenty-four.
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2024-11-13 14:28:29
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Hated By The Bully King twenty-five.
CoraThese past two weeks have been…interesting.The bullying has stopped. I mean, I still get the occasional note in my locker or shoved under my door and students still give me dirty looks in the halls or call me Peasant Girl, but that’s minor compared to the things they used to do. I can see how their eyes burn to trip me during class, though, or how they itch to slam the ball into my head during gym. But they hold back.Monday morning, I walk toward my first period with my head lowered, clutching my books to my chest, worried the silence has been building up to something major and it’s just a matter of time until BAM. But first period leads to second period and second leads to third and…nothing. Is it possible the bullying has actually stopped?I tell myself not to lower my guard. I don’t trust these kids.As I’m shoving some books into my locker at the start of lunch period, I feel that familiar charge in the air. Spinning around, I catch Alessandro, Ethan, and Colt marching down
Last Updated : 2024-11-13Hated By The Bully King twenty-six.
CoraThe library is the perfect place to keep a low profile, since hardly anyone comes here, except for the bookworms. True there hasn’t been a reason to keep a low profile, since there hasn’t been any more bullying, hardly any notes either. I trek the halls with every cell in my body on high alert, certain someone will pull something soon. But nothing. I don’t know what’s worse, getting bullied or worrying I’ll get bullied any second.Most of the students hardly look my way. If I do get disgusted looks, they’re usually from Heather and her friends or Jayson and his crew. But none of them approach or touch me. In fact, when Jayson passed my lunch table earlier today with a pudding in his hand, I could have sworn he’d pour it down my back. I even twisted my body slightly, ready to flee if he got too close. But he didn’t even look my way. I’m not sure if I should count my blessings or run for my life.Someone flops down on the chair across from me. I groan when I take in that familiar c
Last Updated : 2024-11-13Hated By The Bully King twenty-seven.
CoraSeveral hours later, after being stuck in my room for who knows how long, I throw my book aside and slide out of bed. It’s nine PM, kind of early on a Friday night, but the campus is pretty quiet. As far as I know, there are no parties tonight, so either the students have gone home or are in their dorms.I open the window and stick my head out. The weather’s pretty chilly tonight, but it feels soothing on my skin. I stand here for a few minutes, gazing out at the woods behind the school building. I can’t really see much since it’s pitch black, but the full moon provides some light. It’s peaceful, standing here and watching nature, hearing the distant sound of animals and the rustling of leaves.But it also forces my mind to wander to things, like certain boys I’ve been trying to push away. First there’s Ethan who saved my life and then hardly spoke to me. I know he’s not the most social person out there, but it would have been nice for us to be friends. I guess he’s content with
Last Updated : 2024-11-18Hated By The Bully King twenty-eight.
CoraWe walk in silence toward campus. I didn’t realize how far we are. Did I really pursue that deer all the way out here? If not for Alessandro, I would get lost. Speaking of which, how does he know his way around so well? It’s so dark I can barely see my own shoes.My hand accidentally knocks into his. I nearly gasp when an eclectic current passes through my body. Alessandro snatches his hand away so fast it’s like he got burned. Then he storms ahead of me, but not far enough that we’ll get separated.“You’re going too fast,” I complain. “And my feet hurt.”“Stop whining.”“Excuse me? I’ll whine as much as I want.”“Poor people,” he mutters under his breath. “Can’t stand them.”“Oh, really? Well all of you rich, spoiled assholes are really grating on my nerves. You guys have everything and still complain. You don’t know what it’s like…” My voice cracks. “Whatever.”“What? To lose a job? What are you complaining about now? My dad gave your dad a very good job, one he’s totally unqua
Last Updated : 2024-11-18Hated By The Bully King twenty-nine.
CoraAfter jumping for who knows how long, my lungs are on fire. I grab onto the wall of the pit, my chest rising and falling so fast I look like a malfunctioning android. “It’s useless,” I heave. “I think we have no choice but to call campus sec—”Alessandro drops into the pit.“Are you insane?” I shrill. “What the hell did you just do?”He curses as he rubs his ankle. “Deeper than I thought.”“You think?!”He kneels. “Get on my shoulders.”“What?”“I’m taller than you. I’ll hoist you up and then you can use the branch to get me out.”I look up at the opening. Then my gaze returns to his. “I can’t believe you jumped into the pit. Now we both might be stuck.”“Just get on my shoulders.” He takes hold of my hand and pulls me behind him.I swallow. Um…climbing onto Alessandro Beckham’s shoulders?“What are you waiting for?” he snaps. “Sunrise?”“No.”Whatever, it’s just a guy’s shoulders. No big deal.He dips his head, allowing me to climb on. Thank goodness I’m wearing jeans and not my
Last Updated : 2024-11-18Hated By The Bully King thirty.
CoraAlessandro and I pass through the Tunnel and emerge into the girls’ dorm. I have no idea what time it is, but it must be pretty late because all the lights are shut and it’s so quiet. I don’t even see the staff member perched in her seat near the entrance to the dorm.“Looks like the coast is clear,” I say.If a guy is found in the girls’ dorm after ten PM and vice versa, it’s immediate expulsion. I hope Alessandro can sneak out of the building and to the guys’ dorm without being caught. Not that I care if he gets expelled.He makes a move to leave, when I say, “Thanks for getting me out of the pit.”He continues on, not saying a thing. A moment later, I hear a crash.“Son of a—!”“Shh!” I flick the small light on and find soda cans littering the floor.“What the hell are these doing near the door?” he says.I fold my arms. “Maybe because the princesses can’t bother themselves to throw them out in the garbage?”“Doesn’t the staff clean up after this place?”“Um, it’s the weekend?
Last Updated : 2024-11-18Hated By The Bully King thirty-one.
CoraI find Beckett hanging out with his buddies in the courtyard Monday afternoon. His eyes widen in surprise when I stand before him. "Can I speak to you?" I ask."Screw off, Peasant Girl," one of his friends says. "Don't you have your own friends to hang out with? Oh wait."The other guys holler."Guys, shut up," Beckett says. "Yeah, Cora. Let's talk."I follow him to a tree and we sit under the shade. "What's up?" he asks.I've never sat under the trees in the courtyard like this. I guess this area has always been off-limits to me because of the bullying."You swear you're not messing with me, right?" I demand. "You're really interested in me."His face washes with joy. "Yes! I swear I'm really into you."I bite my lower lip. I still feel uneasy about trusting the guy. But I guess...I don't know. I guess it would be nice to shed my fears and worries and have fun with a guy.Blue eyes and russet hair invade my mind. No, no, no, no. I refuse to think about him. I spent the whole Satu
Last Updated : 2024-11-18Hated By The Bully King thirty-two.
Cora"A pretty rose for a pretty girl." Beckett whips out a white rose and bows before me."Thanks. It's beautiful."He tucks it behind my ear, his touch soft and featherlike.Beckett looks so good in a crisp hunter green dress shirt and black jeans, his hair slick and smooth, bangs tickling his brows. He eyes me just as I eye him, his lips lifting into a broader grin. "You look beautiful."My cheeks heat up. "Thanks. You look beautiful, too. I mean—not beautiful. Handsome."He chuckles softly before taking a step closer to me. "It's okay," he says in a gentle tone. "No need to be nervous.""Sorry. It's just that...with everything that happened...you know, since the start of the year, I guess..."He puts his finger on his lips. "We don't have to talk about the past. Let's focus on the present." He holds out his arm for me.I smile. "That sounds perfect."He guides me to the Tunnel and off campus, using the woods as cover as we make our way to his car. I whistle when I take it in. I ha
Last Updated : 2024-11-18
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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
