Royal Havoc

25. Tilt-A-Whirl

twenty-five

Tilt-A-Whirl

Onyx: 2024

H ave we talked about spiders being cringy? Because I get the same cringe from this room. Clearly, the architect screwed up and thought using the basement for the cafeteria was the fix.

Cinder block walls do nothing to heat the space. I can’t even imagine eating in here during the dead of winter. A touch of sun filters through the high windows, reminding you you’re underground.

An L-shaped buffet lines the inside wall, while rectangular tables fill the smallish room in front of a raised stage. I notice one long table overlooking the peasants.

It’s your normal lineup, goth, artsy, theater, music accompanied by their groupies, and sports fanatics surrounded by their posses.

I’m going to make an educated guess and say Vex’s group claims the empty stage.

After paying for the basket of fries, my stomach wouldn’t stop rumbling over; my eyes land on one singular round table shoved in the corner not far from the exit.

Claiming the seat by the wall, I tune out the whispered conversations floating around me while I open my Kindle app on my phone to read. I know I’m the hot topic because Vex wanted me to be. And just like all trends, I’ll fade, and someone else will fall into the spotlight.

“Do you paint?” Zoey asks, falling into the seat beside me, wearing a disgusted face.

Glancing at my hand holding a fry. “Thought I’d give something new a try.” I shrug.

“Hmm, I don’t know about it. That sounds really ominous,” she counters, picking at a slice of pizza. “What did Carney do?”

“Tried to threaten me,” I answer casually, locking my phone, realizing she’s not going to let me have any peace.

A guy grabs a chair across from us, spinning it around before straddling it. He rests his arms on the back, both of us blinking at the other curiously.

My curiosity wins when I ask, “Who are you?”

“That’s Prince, ignore him,” Zoey quickly answers, staring down at her slice of pizza.

I’ve noticed she becomes very shy and closed-lipped around anyone in Vex’s group.

I watch as he rolls his eyes dramatically. “I’m Keegan Prince ,” he clarifies, smiling with a perfect row of pearly whites.

This guy looks like he just jumped straight out of a movie.

“Why are you over here,” Zeke stops behind him, talking to him while pretending we don’t exist.

“I’m meeting the new girl,” he answers, tilting his head back and smiling upside-down at Zeke.

“Christ, I’m not a freak show,” I grumble, annoyed with all of the sudden attention.

I sat here, hoping to get a little quiet time. To let my chatty brain ramble in peace. Instead, I’ve become a fish in a bowl everyone wants to watch.

“Can we go? I’m starved,” Zeke groans, leaning over to give him an upside-down kiss.

Keegan straightens and returns to staring at me as a wicked smile covers his plump lips. “I gotta know. Did the crazy fucker really crack his nut?” A perfect brow raised suggestively, nodding at me.

“Seriously?” I moan tiredly, standing to turn around like the sideshow I’ve become, making sure he gets front-row access to the white residue covering the front and back of the clothes I’m being forced to wear. “Happy?” I grumble before falling back into my seat.

He laughs, shoving from his chair to stand beside Zeke. “Don’t get any ideas,” he warns him half-jokingly before shoving him away. “Nice to meet you, Onyx.” Keegan nods, ignoring Zoey as he turns, following Zeke toward the buffet.

“You’re a BITCH!” Carney shouts from the entrance to the cafeteria, storming towards me.

At this rate, I’m starting to think I should be selling tickets to this shit show. It’s like I’m the tilt-a-whirl, and everyone’s waiting in line to take me for a spin.

I lean back in my chair, growing more exhausted by the minute. “Tell me something I don’t know,” I mock, not bothering to cover the yawn striking me.

“Go away, Carney,” Zoey speaks up once she’s a few steps away from the table, shocking me.

Carney’s face turns beet red. “Let’s not pretend like you matter, Zoey. Your boyfriend’s screwing Mal. You’re a joke. So, I suggest you shut your worthless mouth.”

Zoey sighs, lowering her head, suddenly turning mute again.

This bitch really plucks at my nerves.

Total reality check. I might be new to the small-town life, but I'm an O.G. to the mean-girl life. She wants a reaction so she can try to shine in the spotlight. Darkness doesn’t give light. It swallows it. I don’t care enough to even give her an ember.

“Vex is mine —”

“You can have him,” I throw out, surprising her when I cut her off.

“Stay away —”

“Trust me, I’m trying,” I assure her, not bothering to hide my boredom while I rest my cheek in my hand, yawning again.

My phone rings just as I glimpse the demon himself appear, noticing us right away.

“Hi, Nolan,” I answer.

“Are you at school?” he asks.

“Figured I’d give a full day a try,” I joke, enjoying the sound of his familiar voice.

“Good,” he answers shortly.

“What did you —”

“She can’t talk,” Vex growls into my phone after ripping it from my hand. “Go away, Carney,” he warns angrily, shoving my phone into his pocket.

Silence falls around us, sealing us in our own bubble as I shove from my chair.

Ignoring the tantrum that’s about to be thrown by the wobbly jaw twit. “Give me my phone,” I grit, clenching my jaw so tight I fear it might lock up.

“I told you not to talk to him,” he reminds me evilly.

I’ve hit my limit for the day. “He’s the only person I want to talk to. Now, give me my phone and get the hell outta my way.” Holding out my hand, the rage pumping through me, causing it to shake.

“Promise to be a good girl, and I’ll let you have it back,” he taunts wickedly.

The madness wins, swallowing me in its darkness. My palm connects with his face, and the clapping of our skin rings out, cutting the silence surrounding us. Someone gasps, and I think he growls, but I’m too lost to care.

A cut from one of my nails shows on his cheek. He touches it, smearing a drop of blood. He licks his finger clean, smiling down at me.

“Welcome home, little spade,” he chuckles, strolling away with my phone.

I’m gonna rip his demon heart out and spit on it.