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All Chapters of Hated By The Bully King: Chapter 21 - Chapter 26

26 Chapters

twenty-one.

CoraMy brain hurts from all this schoolwork. Leaning back in my seat, I rub my eyes and sigh. That’s what my weekends have come to: staying holed up in my room all by myself and going out of my mind. I need a break.After shutting all my books, I leave the dorm and wander around campus. Some students are playing ball in the courtyard, some are lounging on the grass and doing their homework. The weather is so beautiful this morning, sunny with a light breeze.I stroll for half an hour, enjoying the scenery. The trees are changing colors and are so gorgeous. Then I find myself standing outside a building near the gym. The pool. I totally forgot Royal Elite Academy has an indoor pool that’s available to all students during non-school hours. I’m not the best swimmer out there, but Elissa and I love spending our summers at the community pool back home.I pull the door open and enter, immediately noticing the swimsuits available, still in their packaging. The sign next to them says they ar

twenty-two.

Hated By The Bully King/Chihiro

AlessandroI launch a dart at the board and a smile creeps onto my mouth. Bullseye again. Colt rolls his eyes. I don’t know why the guy bothers. He never beats me.“Another round,” he says.Shaking my head, I laugh. “Just give up. And hand over the cash.” I hold out my hand.He shoves his hand in the pocket of his slacks and slams the money on my open palm. “As if you need it.”Before each game, we bet on who will win. If not for his company keeping him afloat, he’d be swimming in debts like his parents. That might be an exaggeration, but if he doesn’t keep his shit together, he might actually lose everything.“Another round,” he repeats, standing up from the chair next to me to retrieve the darts. I reach for my can of Coke and take a sip.The door bursts open and Ethan charges in, heading straight toward me. His eyes yell nothing but rage. “Don’t you think you’re taking things a bit too far?”I lower my can on the nearby table. “What are you talking about?”“You really want her dead

twenty-three.

Hated By The Bully King/Chihiro

Cora“Just a few more hours until you’re out of here,” Elissa says as she pokes her elbow in my ribs. She’s seated next to me on the hospital bed, a large grin on her face. The TV is on to an oldie show my parents are watching.I try to return my best friend’s grin as I think about what awaits me as soon as I’m released from the hospital. How would Principal Hipskind take my decision to leave Royal Elite Academy? How would my parents? They’re so proud of me. Elissa told me my mom brags to whoever she meets—neighbors and strangers alike. And what about Asher Beckham? I hate that I’m letting them down, but this is the right decision.“Hey.” Elissa pokes me again. “You okay?” She searches my eyes. “I know that look. Something’s bothering you.” Her gaze flicks to my parents. “Is it the bullying?” she whispers.I shake my head, once again hating that I’m lying to her. But after I leave that school, I won’t think about Alessandro or his band of jerks again. “Everything’s fine. I guess this

twenty-four.

Hated By The Bully King/Chihiro

CoraMonday morning, I’m sitting in the Royal Elite cafeteria, poking at scrambled eggs and pancakes. After tossing and turning in bed last night, flinging the idea to and fro, weighing the pros and cons, I’ve made my final decision: I’m leaving Royal Elite Academy. No more questioning if I’m doing the right thing, no more trying to convince myself the bullying isn’t so bad. I’m done with this place and these people.After I shove the food down my throat, I’ll head to Principal Hipskind’s office and tell him my choice.I feel people staring at me as I continue trying to eat. Some students have humor in their eyes, like they’re glad I nearly drowned. A few, like Heather and her stupid friends, look pissed. I still have no idea who pushed me, but I won’t be surprised if she had something to do with it. Their looks only strengthen my resolve to be done with this place.As I’m forcing some orange juice down my parched throat, a pair of black shiny loafers slides in my line of vision. Slow

twenty-five.

Hated By The Bully King/Chihiro

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

twenty-six.

Hated By The Bully King/Chihiro

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

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