Raelynn
“Pack your bags we’re moving.” My mother’s words echo in my mind as I shove my clothes angrily into my box.
This week has been hell, scratch that, way worse than hell. Yesterday, I walked in on the one person I called my best friend, Chloe, and my boyfriend Peter making out.
Peter and I were to hang out at his place but he couldn’t because he suddenly caught the flu, being the sweet and naive girlfriend I was, I decided to go over and check on him. Bring him some soup and tissues.
I Didn’t need to knock because I know his passcode...one two three four five six, yes, he’s an id*ot.
Turns out I should have just minded my business and stayed at home then maybe I wouldn’t have had to walk on both of them right there on his couch, her black hair tangled in his fingers.
Worst thing they didn’t even feel bad about it, Chloe just smirked and peter’s excuse? “You’ve been depressed lately, we needed to rely on each other.”
I throw another shirt into my suitcase. Depressed? I was only depressed because I was stuck with losers like you two.
I groan slamming my box shut and take a deep breath trying to get them both out of my mind.
“Raelynn, get down right this instant” my mum screams from downstairs.
“I’m coming mother!” I yell back yanking the suitcase off my bed.
As if last night wasn’t hard enough, I came back to hear my mum say we’re moving all the way to Tribeca and we stay in Queens Village meaning an hour and sixteen minutes drive and she won't even tell me the reason.
I give one more glance at my now empty bedroom, to some extent I’m going to miss this place.
A sigh escapes my lips as I drag my luggage’s down the stairs with a grunt. When my mum sees me, she crosses her arms and frowns.
“I told you to get ready last night. Now you are going to make us late and it’s your fault.”
“Yeah, well, maybe you should have given me a little more notice,” I snap. “Or better yet, maybe I’ll just go live with dad.”
The moment the words leave my mouth I instantly regret them. The world seems to freeze for a moment and I can actually see my mother’s hand tremble.
“Raelynn…” her voice is softer now but the pin behind it is enough to make my stomach twist into knots with regret. I should know better than to bring him up.
She’s still scared. After everything he did to us...almost did to me, she’d have to be.
I clear my throat awkwardly and she shakes her head to snap out of it.
“Take your things out and make sure not to forget anything.”
I nod and does what she asked then head to the mail box. Won't need the new people moving in going through our mails…especially them.
“To Sarah.”
No senders address…again.
I stare at the five mails in my hands, a shiver runs down my spine. Quickly I stuff them into my bag so mum doesn’t see them, hopefully when we get to our new place, I’ll find a place to hide them from her, the way I did here.
“Let’s go.”
Mum shouts and I quickly tuck the letters away and rush to the car.
The car is quiet for a moment but something feels weird. I mean why are we moving and where did we even get the money to move to Tribeca that’s a place for rich people and mum and I are worse than broke.
“Where are we going?” I finally decide to ask.
But mum just shrugs. “You’ll see.”
I groan rolling my eyes. My thoughts drift back to Chloe and peter. I hate that we’re moving. I hate that it makes me feel like I’m running away and giving them room to play happy couple after what they have done to me.
Eventually I get tired and I don’t even realize when I drift off to sleep.
Hours later mum wakes me up and my eyes widen sleep immediately vanishing as I stare at the mansion in front of me. The car slows in front of a massive iron gate, which swings open as if on cue. Beyond it is a mansion straight out of a movie...white pillars, magacificent gardens, a fountain in the driveway.
“Holy cr*p,” I mutter, sitting up straighter. “Did you win the lottery? Or take out some insanely huge loan that we’ll never pay off?”
Mom rolls her eyes. “Neither. Now stop gawking and help with the bags.”
She parks, and I step out, still staring at the house like it might disappear if I blink too hard.
Once she parks a man approaches her and with a big smile on her face she steps out and hugs him.
“You are?”
They pull apart and the man turns to me extending a hand. “You must be Raelynn I've heard so much about you. I’m Edward”
I scowl at his hand. “And how do you know my mother?”
Mum sighs and turns to me. “Rae this is Edward, my fiancé.”
The words his me like a brick in the face.
Fiancé? Since when? How? Why?
“You’re joking.” I say flatly crossing my arms.
Edward chuckles awkwardly shoving his hand into his pocket. “I know this is a lot to take in...”
“Yeah, no kidding.”
“Raelynn that’s enough.” Mum snaps. “Edward has been kind to take us in, so I suggest you show some respect.”
I bite back a retort, but my glare speaks for itself.
Edward clears his throat. “Why don’t I show you your room. I had it set up this morning.”
I don’t bother responding. Instead, I grab my suitcase and stomp past him, ignoring the man I assume is a butler reaching out for it.
The inside of the house makes me let out a gasp. Everything about it is overwhelming. From the high ceilings with golden chandeliers to the sparkling marble floors and furniture's that probably cost more than I can think of.
I’m so lost in awe I don’t notice someone standing behind me until their too close their presence too intense and suffocating.
Before I can turn around, two hands grip my shoulder firmly, keeping me in place.
“Enjoying the view?” the voice is smooth like a seductive whisper that makes you want to drown in it but the dangerous edge in it keeps you far away.
A shiver runs down my spine as his hot breath fans the back of my neck.
I try to turn around again but the grip on my shoulders tightens, not hard enough to hurt, but just enough to remind me how easily it could.
“You should enjoy it,” he murmurs, his tone mocking. “After all, you won't be here long.”
RaelynnMy heart hammers in my chest both from the proximity ad the irritation crawling up my chest.Who does he think he is?The moment I feel his grip relax, I twist sharply and hove him hard in the chest. He staggers back slightly, his expression unreadable.I open my mouth curses ready to fly, but the second I lock eyes with him, all the words get stuck in my throat.Damn it.He’s gorgeous.Brown hair that falls effortlessly, like he’s just run his fingers through it, frames his chiseled features. His jaw is sharp enough to cut glass, and those dark blue eyes...piercing, cold...narrow at me with very obvious disdain.I snap myself out of it.“You must be Grayson.” I force out as calmly as I can.He smirks but it doesn’t reach his eyes. “And you must be the charity case.”The insult lands like a slap, sharp and cold but I refuse to flinch squaring my shoulders.“Says the overprivileged brat.”His smirk widens and somehow that makes him look even more dangerous. He stalks closer to
GraysonThe party is already in full swing when we arrive, loud music, sweaty people and cheap perfumes.Isa disappears muttering something about finding her friends.I walk over to the VIP room wanting some sort of quietness, once I'm seated on the empty couch, I bring out the v*pe from my pocket and take a hit.The familiar burn spreads through my chest, sharp and soothing all at once. I hold it in, letting it settle before exhaling slowly through my nose.The tension in my shoulders eases as the smoke curls around me, blending into the dimly lit room. This is what I needed.This is what I needed. V*ping always happened to cool me off no matter what was on my mind, which is why no matter how much Edward whines about it I don’t give a sh*it.If he hadn't done what he did, then I wouldn’t need a v*pe in the first place.Edward hates this habit, always going on about how I’m “damaging myself” or “setting a bad example.” Like he’s ever given a damn about my well-being. If he hadn’t done
RaelynnI’m late for my first day at Kings and Queens High...and it’s all Grayson and Isabella’s fault.First, my alarm mysteriously turned off, which makes me suspect Grayson snuck into my room again after he left. The thought of him standing in the dark, whispering threats, sends a chill down my spine. I shake it off. He can't actually do anything.I really need to start locking my door.Then, my preordered uniform somehow disappeared. While I was tearing my room apart looking for it, the devil twins waltzed out of the house, leaving me behind.With no other choice, I had to take the bus because our driver had already taken my mom and Edward to work, and apparently, the other driver is exclusively for the royal brats.And now, I find out my mom will have to mail the rest of my clothes because KAQ is a boarding school.Just perfect.I step up to the front desk, trying not to look as frazzled as I feel.“I’d like to enroll for a dorm room, please,” I say quickly, glancing at my schedu
RaelynnGrayson stares at me from the driver’s seat, his window rolled down just enough for the rain to drip onto his arm. He is completely relaxed, like he did not just scare the life out of me. His gaze drags over my trembling frame, lingering on my soaked clothes, on my white tank top, now practically see-through.Heat rushes to my cheeks, and I cross my arms over my chest instinctively.A lazy smirk tugs at his lips. He looks frustratingly entertained.“You look like sh*t,” he drawls.“Screw you,” I snap, my voice hoarse from the cold and the panic clawing at my throat.He tilts his head, feigning a pout. “You’re the one standing in the middle of a storm, looking like a half-drowned stray kitty.”My fists clench at my sides.I hate him. so much I can strangle him.“But if you want me to leave…” He starts the car, fingers drumming against the wheel.I know he will. He will not hesitate.“Wait,” I blurt before I can stop myself.Grayson pauses but does not turn off the engine. He w
GraysonI flick my wrist, sending the puck sailing toward the net. It should go in. It always does. But today, it doesn’t.The clang of rubber against metal echoes through the rink as it smacks against the post, bouncing away uselessly.I mutter a curse under my breath and push forward, but my passes are sloppy, my movements off. Every time I try to focus, my mind drags me back to last night—to that damn letter.The look of fear in Raelynn’s eyes when I was just about to read the later.She was scared.Eyes wide, chest rapidly rising and falling.It was the first time I’d ever seen her that vulnerable.It only made me want to dig deeper.I was just about it, then the doorbell rang.Her relief was instant. That subtle sag of her shoulders, the way her lips had parted in a light exhale.I should’ve opened the damn letter right then and there. But the doorbell kept ringing.Which is exactly why I didn’t give her back the letter, and kept it with me.A sharp whistle from Coach snaps me ba
RaelynnYou have got to me kidding me.It’s ten p.m. on a school night and there’s a damn full-blown part happening right under my nose. The worse part of it all, is that I actually saw Grayson earlier but rather than telling me he’s turning our place into a club he decided I wasn’t worth the trouble.A8shole.I clutch the novel in my hand tighter as the terrible choice of music echoes through the walls.The door snaps open and a drunk girl starts to come in gagging like she’s about to puke.“Not the bathroom!” I practically fly out of my bed and rush her out slamming the door shut, leaning my back against it.Frustration bubbles in my chest, but my mind drifts back to the letter.Grayson had almost read it, and if he did all hell would be loosed by now. Thankfully he didn’t because Briella showed up but the jerk had refused to give it back.I have to get it back.Just then a plan comes to my mind.Grayson’s at the party probably drinking or getting sucked off in some corner by a poor
GraysonI should be pissed. Actually, I am pissed.She shouldn’t be here, in my room, in my f*cking space.I don’t like people in my space. I f*cking hate it. it’s personal. It’s mine.At first a form of curiosity bubbled in me when I saw Raelynn sneak into my room like a rat, but as my eyes drop to the picture in her hand, a cold rage swallows every form of amusement I had.My mother. She’s a forbidden topic, buried six feet into the ground along with her and it’s all because of—Raelynn turns around quickly her eyes go wide but rather than fear in them she glares at me.Fuck! That’s it. Something inside me snaps.I grab her wrist and shove her against the cupboard, the photo slipping from her hand and landing between us. My hand wraps around her throat, not too tight to cut her flow of air, but tight enough to let her know I could if I wanted to.Her breath hitches.“Did I invite you in, sunshine?” my voice is low with a dangerous edge to it.Her stormy grey eyes shine with defiance
Raelynn.I don’t bother looking back.I keep my head high, shoulders squared, ignoring how drenched I am and the murmurs that flow in the crowd around me. but most of all, I ignore the way I can still his gaze burning into my back.It’s almost funny how shocked they look, as if they actually expected me to just stand there and take it, like I was supposed to bow my head, smile through the humiliation, maybe even kiss Briella’s feet while I was at it.Idiots.“Pathetic,” I hear a Yara yell behind me. “Even for you three, it’s so embarrassing.”I don’t turn back, but a small smile spread on my lips at her sticking up for me even though we just met few hours ago.The moment I step into my room, I start peeling off my soaked dress, only to jolt when the door slams open again. Yara storms in, snatching my towel with so much force you’d think she was trying to strangle someone.“Thanks,” I smile taking the towel from her. A chuckle escapes my lips as I watch her furrowed brows and the way s
Raelynn.I don’t bother looking back.I keep my head high, shoulders squared, ignoring how drenched I am and the murmurs that flow in the crowd around me. but most of all, I ignore the way I can still his gaze burning into my back.It’s almost funny how shocked they look, as if they actually expected me to just stand there and take it, like I was supposed to bow my head, smile through the humiliation, maybe even kiss Briella’s feet while I was at it.Idiots.“Pathetic,” I hear a Yara yell behind me. “Even for you three, it’s so embarrassing.”I don’t turn back, but a small smile spread on my lips at her sticking up for me even though we just met few hours ago.The moment I step into my room, I start peeling off my soaked dress, only to jolt when the door slams open again. Yara storms in, snatching my towel with so much force you’d think she was trying to strangle someone.“Thanks,” I smile taking the towel from her. A chuckle escapes my lips as I watch her furrowed brows and the way s
GraysonI should be pissed. Actually, I am pissed.She shouldn’t be here, in my room, in my f*cking space.I don’t like people in my space. I f*cking hate it. it’s personal. It’s mine.At first a form of curiosity bubbled in me when I saw Raelynn sneak into my room like a rat, but as my eyes drop to the picture in her hand, a cold rage swallows every form of amusement I had.My mother. She’s a forbidden topic, buried six feet into the ground along with her and it’s all because of—Raelynn turns around quickly her eyes go wide but rather than fear in them she glares at me.Fuck! That’s it. Something inside me snaps.I grab her wrist and shove her against the cupboard, the photo slipping from her hand and landing between us. My hand wraps around her throat, not too tight to cut her flow of air, but tight enough to let her know I could if I wanted to.Her breath hitches.“Did I invite you in, sunshine?” my voice is low with a dangerous edge to it.Her stormy grey eyes shine with defiance
RaelynnYou have got to me kidding me.It’s ten p.m. on a school night and there’s a damn full-blown part happening right under my nose. The worse part of it all, is that I actually saw Grayson earlier but rather than telling me he’s turning our place into a club he decided I wasn’t worth the trouble.A8shole.I clutch the novel in my hand tighter as the terrible choice of music echoes through the walls.The door snaps open and a drunk girl starts to come in gagging like she’s about to puke.“Not the bathroom!” I practically fly out of my bed and rush her out slamming the door shut, leaning my back against it.Frustration bubbles in my chest, but my mind drifts back to the letter.Grayson had almost read it, and if he did all hell would be loosed by now. Thankfully he didn’t because Briella showed up but the jerk had refused to give it back.I have to get it back.Just then a plan comes to my mind.Grayson’s at the party probably drinking or getting sucked off in some corner by a poor
GraysonI flick my wrist, sending the puck sailing toward the net. It should go in. It always does. But today, it doesn’t.The clang of rubber against metal echoes through the rink as it smacks against the post, bouncing away uselessly.I mutter a curse under my breath and push forward, but my passes are sloppy, my movements off. Every time I try to focus, my mind drags me back to last night—to that damn letter.The look of fear in Raelynn’s eyes when I was just about to read the later.She was scared.Eyes wide, chest rapidly rising and falling.It was the first time I’d ever seen her that vulnerable.It only made me want to dig deeper.I was just about it, then the doorbell rang.Her relief was instant. That subtle sag of her shoulders, the way her lips had parted in a light exhale.I should’ve opened the damn letter right then and there. But the doorbell kept ringing.Which is exactly why I didn’t give her back the letter, and kept it with me.A sharp whistle from Coach snaps me ba
RaelynnGrayson stares at me from the driver’s seat, his window rolled down just enough for the rain to drip onto his arm. He is completely relaxed, like he did not just scare the life out of me. His gaze drags over my trembling frame, lingering on my soaked clothes, on my white tank top, now practically see-through.Heat rushes to my cheeks, and I cross my arms over my chest instinctively.A lazy smirk tugs at his lips. He looks frustratingly entertained.“You look like sh*t,” he drawls.“Screw you,” I snap, my voice hoarse from the cold and the panic clawing at my throat.He tilts his head, feigning a pout. “You’re the one standing in the middle of a storm, looking like a half-drowned stray kitty.”My fists clench at my sides.I hate him. so much I can strangle him.“But if you want me to leave…” He starts the car, fingers drumming against the wheel.I know he will. He will not hesitate.“Wait,” I blurt before I can stop myself.Grayson pauses but does not turn off the engine. He w
RaelynnI’m late for my first day at Kings and Queens High...and it’s all Grayson and Isabella’s fault.First, my alarm mysteriously turned off, which makes me suspect Grayson snuck into my room again after he left. The thought of him standing in the dark, whispering threats, sends a chill down my spine. I shake it off. He can't actually do anything.I really need to start locking my door.Then, my preordered uniform somehow disappeared. While I was tearing my room apart looking for it, the devil twins waltzed out of the house, leaving me behind.With no other choice, I had to take the bus because our driver had already taken my mom and Edward to work, and apparently, the other driver is exclusively for the royal brats.And now, I find out my mom will have to mail the rest of my clothes because KAQ is a boarding school.Just perfect.I step up to the front desk, trying not to look as frazzled as I feel.“I’d like to enroll for a dorm room, please,” I say quickly, glancing at my schedu
GraysonThe party is already in full swing when we arrive, loud music, sweaty people and cheap perfumes.Isa disappears muttering something about finding her friends.I walk over to the VIP room wanting some sort of quietness, once I'm seated on the empty couch, I bring out the v*pe from my pocket and take a hit.The familiar burn spreads through my chest, sharp and soothing all at once. I hold it in, letting it settle before exhaling slowly through my nose.The tension in my shoulders eases as the smoke curls around me, blending into the dimly lit room. This is what I needed.This is what I needed. V*ping always happened to cool me off no matter what was on my mind, which is why no matter how much Edward whines about it I don’t give a sh*it.If he hadn't done what he did, then I wouldn’t need a v*pe in the first place.Edward hates this habit, always going on about how I’m “damaging myself” or “setting a bad example.” Like he’s ever given a damn about my well-being. If he hadn’t done
RaelynnMy heart hammers in my chest both from the proximity ad the irritation crawling up my chest.Who does he think he is?The moment I feel his grip relax, I twist sharply and hove him hard in the chest. He staggers back slightly, his expression unreadable.I open my mouth curses ready to fly, but the second I lock eyes with him, all the words get stuck in my throat.Damn it.He’s gorgeous.Brown hair that falls effortlessly, like he’s just run his fingers through it, frames his chiseled features. His jaw is sharp enough to cut glass, and those dark blue eyes...piercing, cold...narrow at me with very obvious disdain.I snap myself out of it.“You must be Grayson.” I force out as calmly as I can.He smirks but it doesn’t reach his eyes. “And you must be the charity case.”The insult lands like a slap, sharp and cold but I refuse to flinch squaring my shoulders.“Says the overprivileged brat.”His smirk widens and somehow that makes him look even more dangerous. He stalks closer to
Raelynn“Pack your bags we’re moving.” My mother’s words echo in my mind as I shove my clothes angrily into my box.This week has been hell, scratch that, way worse than hell. Yesterday, I walked in on the one person I called my best friend, Chloe, and my boyfriend Peter making out.Peter and I were to hang out at his place but he couldn’t because he suddenly caught the flu, being the sweet and naive girlfriend I was, I decided to go over and check on him. Bring him some soup and tissues.I Didn’t need to knock because I know his passcode...one two three four five six, yes, he’s an id*ot.Turns out I should have just minded my business and stayed at home then maybe I wouldn’t have had to walk on both of them right there on his couch, her black hair tangled in his fingers.Worst thing they didn’t even feel bad about it, Chloe just smirked and peter’s excuse? “You’ve been depressed lately, we needed to rely on each other.”I throw another shirt into my suitcase. Depressed? I was only dep