Trying to find Kingsley in an ocean of navy blazers is like playing a game of Where’s Waldo. A zip of electricity shoots through me when I catch sight of him slamming his locker door shut before heading to second hour. Uncaring if I’m late for my next class, I take off after him with a determined stride. With my gaze pinned to his tall figure, I push my way through the crowd, attempting to catch up to him. When I’m within striking distance, I reach out and lock my fingers around his bicep.
“Kingsley, wait up!”
Without glancing at me, he jerks out of my grasp and keeps walking.
What the hell?
Is he really this angry?
What did I do?
“Stop!” Unwilling to give up, I reach out again and tighten my fingers around his arm. “Give me a chance to explain!”
My heart lurches when he unexpectedly whirls toward me. Fury fills his eyes and my hand falls away as I stumble back in surprise. His lips twist into a scowl as he advances, forcing me to scurry away from him.
The thick crowd of students pressing in on me scatters, forming a circle around the two of us as my back hits a metal locker. It’s like they can sense that something volatile is about to happen and no one wants to miss it. The space between us gets eaten up until he’s so close I have to tip my chin to hold his flashing gaze.
“Why didn’t you tell me you were a Hawthorne?” he growls by way of greeting.
He’s so close that his warm breath feathers across my lips. A couple months ago, I was drunk with the feel of it, now it frightens me more than I care to admit.
“What?” I scrunch my face, wondering if I misheard the question.
Even though there’s barely a whisper between us, he presses closer. “Why didn’t you tell me who you were?”
The hallway goes silent. It’s like they’re all holding their collective breath.
“I didn’t realize it would matter,” I murmur, not understanding the direction this conversation has swerved in.
“Of course, it matters!” he scoffs before stabbing a finger at my chest. “You let me think you were an ordinary girl, and that’s not the truth, is it?”
Confusion swirls through my brain. What else would I be if not an ordinary girl? I shake my head, attempting to deny his words, but that only incenses him further.
With a snarl, he wraps his hand around my neck and shoves me against the locker. The back of my head reverberates off the metal, the sound of it echoing throughout the corridor.
“Kingsley.” My eyes widen.
It’s only then that I realize the two boys may be identical in looks, but this is not the same one I spent time with at the beach. That guy had been kind, sweet, and funny. There is nothing charming or nice about this one. The anger wafting off him in heavy waves is almost suffocating in its intensity.
He lowers his face until the tip of his nose practically touches mine. “Keep my name out of your mouth, do you understand? You and I don’t know each other.” His rage-filled gaze examines mine. “Don’t talk to me. Don’t look at me. Don’t even think about me.”
With unhurried movements, his grip tightens around the delicate skin of my neck until it becomes difficult to breathe. My hands rise to claw at his arm, but I’m powerless against his strength. His jaw ticks as he continues to squeeze.
“Help!” My widened gaze flutters to the students crowded around us. Not a single one does anything to stop Kingsley from choking me.
What’s wrong with these people? Why are they all standing there silently watching this unfold?
“Help,” I whisper again, my voice growing faint. It’s becoming more difficult to suck in air and yet, no one moves a muscle.
“Don’t look to them for help. They won’t lift a finger to assist you.” He applies enough pressure for wetness to sting my eyes. “Do you know why?” He waits a beat. “Because no one wants you here, Hawthorne.”
A lone tear leaks from the corner of my eye before trekking down my cheek. When I begin to feel lightheaded from lack of oxygen, Kingsley is shoved away. As soon as the pressure on my throat vanishes, I gulp a deep lungful of air before doubling over. With my elbows propped on my knees, I brace myself so I don’t fall to the floor. Tremors wrack my body as tears fill my eyes.
He could have killed me.
“You touch her again and I’ll fucking wipe you off the face of the earth! Do you hear me, asshole?” a deep voice roars.
Thank God for Austin.
I lift my head in time to see my brother pin Kingsley against a locker. The two boys scowl at each other before Kingsley smirks and shoves Austin away. Both are tall and muscular, evenly matched.