Cruel King (Royal Elite 0)

“I’m here. You’ve got this, you little bugger.”

“God. I don’t know what would’ve happened to me if I didn’t have you, bug.”

“Probably lots of shit.” He twists his mouth. “Buy me lunch?”

“Cheeseburgers,” Both of us say at the same time.

“How about we skip?” He waggles his eyebrows.

“I know what you’re doing, Dan, and no, I’m not running away from school anymore.”

I’m done bowing. It’s time I stand tall.

In school, no one looks in my direction and when they do, everyone bows their heads.

Everyone except for Nicole and her wingman, Chloe. They glare at me, but they keep their vapid mouths shut.

Dan walks by my side, throwing winks at his harem of girls.

Me?

I’m counting my steps so I don’t trip and fall.

Good or bad, I hate being put under the spotlight.

The only thing I want is to disappear into my art studio and never come out until it’s time to go home.

Dan has a meeting before practice with their coach.

As soon as he disappears down the hall, I quicken my pace to the art studio.

Someone cuts in front of me and I come to a screeching halt.

Aiden.

He’s wearing his football blazer and the uniform’s trousers. For a star player, he’s in no rush to meet their coach.

“What do you want?” I ask as coolly as I can manage.

I hate how much I want to search around him for the other King or how much I want to see his cousin in him.

He leans against the wall, crossing his arms over his chest. “Something changed.”

“And I’m supposed to know about it?”

He remains as blank as a board. “Have you heard what my father and Lev talked about yesterday?”

I shake my head. “Dad and I left first.”

Aiden continues looking me up and down as if he’s searching for something. Then, he pushes off the wall, about to leave.

“Wait. Do you know why your father and mine have an animosity?”

He appears lost in thoughts for a second. “Hmm. It might have to do with that.”

“With what?”

“Lev is acting strange.”