Straight (99% sure).
Hates me.
Halfway through, things somehow changed.
Green eyes I want to get lost in.
Lip piercing.
Chiselled jaw.
Hot. Fucking hot.
Mine.
I was so fucking screwed.
3
Carter Blackthorne, Xavier Wright, and Kian Courtland. I looked up, my gaze drawn to the three kings of Alstone High as they strolled towards us with their typical casual, confident swagger. Kian pulled out a chair and sprawled in it, no care in the world as he stared at the people flocking around him with disinterest. It was like they were flies, buzzing around him, and yet he couldn’t be bothered to swat them away.
I cleared my throat, acting like I didn’t notice the scowl he was directing my way, and turned my attention to the conversation about our upcoming game against Highnam Academy. After reassuring the guys that I had it all under control, never mind the fact I had no idea what Highnam Academy were like as a team, we discussed tactics for the upcoming game. Eventually, Kian’s dirty looks got too pointed to ignore, and I got to my feet, stretching out my whole body. I didn’t miss the way his eyes honed straight in on the strip of skin that was exposed when I lifted my arms, my untucked shirt riding up. Was I imagining the flash of heat in his eyes? Probably.
“Ah, put them away, mate.” The playful tease came from Chris, one of my teammates, and I smirked.
“You don’t wanna see these muscles?” I purposely lifted my shirt higher, flexing my abs. Groans echoed around the table, except for one person who was noticeably silent.
Kian.
Now I was positive I wasn’t imagining the heat in his gaze as he stared at me.
It was too much. After tucking my shirt back in and straightening my school blazer, I swung my bag over my shoulder. “Catch ya later.”
I sauntered away from the table and back into the main school building, deceptively casual, but my legs were threatening to give way.
Fucking Kian Courtland.
Where to go? The bathrooms were too busy; I needed to be alone. Switching direction at the last minute, I headed down the corridor and through the double doors that led outside to the gym and locker rooms that were used exclusively by the sports teams.
I used my pass to enter the silent building. If I’d been here ten minutes earlier, it probably would’ve been teeming with school athletes, but right now, towards the end of lunch period, most had disappeared to get sustenance before the afternoon.
Making my way into the locker room, I lowered my bag to the floor and sank down onto one of the wooden benches in front of the bank of lockers, placing my head in my hands.
I don’t know how long I sat there, just breathing in and out, but eventually I became aware of a presence in the room. I lowered my hands and turned my head, already knowing who I’d see.
Kian.
Staring down at me with arrogant contempt, hot and brooding, he was a dark prince, and I was his subject.
No. I needed to remind him, and myself, that we were equals. He may have been top of the food chain, but that didn’t give him the right to lord it over me. Jumping up so fast that I almost made myself dizzy, I moved to lean against the lockers, the bench between us giving me some breathing room.
The air surrounding us thickened, my traitorous cock stirring as our eyes locked and I took in the dark expression on his face. Fuck. I hoped he didn’t notice.
He rounded the bench, coming to a stop a few feet away from me.
“What’s your deal, Golden Boy? Trying to take my place? Worm your way in with my friends? Remember, you’re new, and I’ve paid my dues. Don’t even fucking dream of trying to replace me.”
“I’m not trying to cause trouble,” I told him honestly.