Royal Havoc

13. You’ve Got A Little…

thirteen

You’ve Got A Little…

Onyx: 2024

M y head falls to the side, causing me to jump so hard I almost knock myself out in the process. My ass is completely gone, so numb I can’t feel it at all from spending hours huddled up on the shower floor. The neck pain is an understatement, and my skin’s close to blue from frostbite.

Locating my worthless phone, I see it’s a little past four in the morning. Rubbing my tired eyes, trying to motivate my lethargic limbs to move. To hell with the shadow, I’ve gotta get out of here before I die from hypothermia.

Shuffling my numb limbs from the shower to press my ear to the door hard enough, I fear it will fuse with the wood.

I don’t hear anything but my breaths.

Jogging on my tip-toes across the bedroom, my eyes frantically scan all the nooks and crannies. I’m relieved to find nothing’s out of place. I dash under the comforter, quickly pulling it over my head, praying my frozen skin will defrost quickly.

When my alarm goes off a few hours later, I trudge to the shower. The hot water turns me from an icicle to a human again, just as the outrage and my rising blood pressure set in.

It had to be him fucking with me last night. Screw him and his games. The ones he’s about to find out I don’t play anymore.

I fucking win.

Chatter mumbles uselessly inside my head as I storm down the polished hallway, searching unfamiliar faces. I’m on a pursuit to confront a prick. Now, I just wish I knew where to find him. I’m about to give up my search, knowing eventually I’ll run into his ass. When I notice a pile of grayish-white hair bouncing through the bodies clogging the hall in front of me.

Fuck, she’s a tall bitch.

Shoving my way through the crowd, catching up with her when she stops at her locker. “Where the hell is he?” I snap, making her flinch.

She turns, blinking at me slowly. “Who?”

I don’t have time for this sleepy act she’s got going on right now. “Don’t play dumb, idiots aren’t cute.”

Her eyes widen, surveying me. “If you’re talking abou —”

“Cut the shit, Zoey. Where is he?” I demand, shaking from the anger boiling in my veins.

Her eyes dart behind me, and I spin. “Onyx!” she calls, trying to grab me. But I’m too fast, and speed is a requirement to ensure I don’t lose him.

Suddenly, Carney steps from the masses, forcing me to change directions, back peddling a couple of steps. The baby deer hovers at her side, both glaring at me.

What did Zoey say her name was? Mal?

Within seconds, I notice a crowd forming a circle around us. Curious eyes ready to gain their first dose of gossip for the day, so hushed voices can pass along their creative versions, spinning the truth into their perceptions to gain attention.

Mal’s glare rises above my head when I feel Zoey’s presence behind me.

“You must be lost. The invisible section’s down there,” Carney sneers, pointing towards the opposite end of the hall before shooing me away in disgust. “Isn’t that right, Zoey,” she questions. Her side kick smirking beside her like the idiot clown she is, showing me everything I need to know.

It’s laughable that this girl thinks she can embarrass me.

Pulling a tissue from my purse. “Sorry, you’ve got a little something right…” pointing at the corner of her mouth, holding out the tissue.

Her brows dip, staring at me in confusion as she rips the tissue from my hand. “What?” she hisses, glancing at her clown, seeking reassurance.

I meet Vex’s stare over her shoulder, smiling wickedly. “Vex, I’ve told you to clean up your toys. You can’t let your dick sucker run around with evidence dripping off her chin. It’s rude.” Winking at Carney’s stunned face. “No worries, I got you,” I assure her with a straight face.

Muffled laughter erupts around us as I blink at her red cheeks, waiting for her to say something. Obviously, no one’s challenged her before because the wait’s about to make me yawn.

She closes the small distance between us while I stand my ground. “You don’t know who —”

“What’s that?” I taunt when she whispers. “Say it with your chest. I don’t think the crowd can hear,” I tell her loudly. “Because that’s what you want, right?” Remembering what Zoey said to me yesterday. “To be in everyone’s mouth? Oh… or do you want them in yours?” I ask her seriously, staring at her with wide eyes.

Carney’s face can’t turn any redder as I notice her clown appears to be clueless. Zoey coughs behind me, hiding her laughter.

I’m bored and ready to handle the prick throwing silver lasers at me.

I stroll past his toy, ignoring the raindrop-size tears flooding her eyes. “Stay the hell away from my house,” I grit, stabbing at Vex’s chest with my finger.

I assume it’s Zeke — Zoey’s twin — standing beside him from the messy grayish-white hair scattered over his head. It seems he’s struggling to hold in laughter as his green eyes bounce from Vex to me.

Annoyed that Vex hasn’t responded. “Sorry, let me use smaller words so you understand. I. Hate. You. Go play with Miss Sunshine, and stay away from me,” I finish sharply, ready to walk away, confident I’ve made my point.

His hand wraps around my throat before I can turn, cutting off my airway as he spins me, shoving me into the lockers.

Our eyes silently duel as he leans close. “Strike three,” he rasps, shaking his head slowly. Darkness starts to distort the edge of my vision, his fingers flexing while precious seconds of missed air tick by. My heartbeat hums in my ears, silencing the polished hall. “Open,” I barely hear him rasp, my reality starting to tilt.

The need to breathe overtakes my deteriorating senses, forcing me to dig my nails into his hand, scratching at his flesh. My mouth opens on its own, and he spits inside hard enough to choke me if my airway wasn’t already constricted.

He slams the back of my head on the metal before releasing me. Instantly, I try to fill my burning lungs, choking at the same time I crumble on the marble floor, tears spilling down my cheeks.

“Take her home,” I hear him order before Zoey kneels in front of me, offering me her hand.