Deviant King (Royal Elite 1)

Maybe she doesn’t think that my mental state is part of my health.

Either way, I’m not in the mood to talk about my episode on Saturday.

I smile and hope it comes out convincing. “It’s not about the nightmares. I just want to talk about the stress of exams.”

Aunt’s shoulders droop and she stops opening and closing the container.

Uncle’s brows furrow. “You never had exams’ stress before, pumpkin.”

“Everyone is competitive at school and I keep thinking that maybe someone will push me out of the top ten per cent,” The lies tumble from my mouth so easily.

Strange. I always hated lying to them, but not today.

Uncle nods. “I’ll book an appointment.”

“Thanks, Uncle.”

Neither of them needs to know about my plans with Dr Khan. I’m changing tactics about the whole psychotherapy.

Uncle kisses the top of my head. “You know you can talk to us any time, pumpkin, right? You don’t have to hide anything as you did with your relationship with Aiden King.”

Just hearing his name slashes pain

through my chest. Since he walked out of my house on Saturday morning, there has been no trace of him. He didn’t call or send me his usual crude texts.

I’ve seen pictures of him on Instagram after the game on Saturday night. Elites won two to nil and Xander scored both. It’s so rare for Aiden not to score at a game.

When I said what I said in the bathroom, I didn’t expect he’d just walk away.

He’s not the type to walk away.

I kept telling myself that he’ll come back to pester me as usual. He’ll barge into my life like he has every right to.

He didn’t.

And that hurt more than I care to admit.

I nod absentmindedly at Uncle who goes back to his seat and resumes drinking his coffee. I sip from my juice. It tastes bitter and I want to spit it back up.

Aunt places the container in my bag and touches her collarbone. “Don’t take this the wrong way, hon, but maybe you’re stressing because you have a boyfriend?”

Uncle stares at her from above the rim of his cup.

“What? She never stressed before. It isn’t a coincidence that she’s starting to stress now that she has a boyfriend.” She faces me, a warm glow on her face. “It’s subconscious, Elsie. Your attention span will be unknowingly divided. You can’t possibly give your studies one hundred per cent of your energy like you used to.”

“Drop it, Blair,” Uncle’s voice is low with warning.

“No, she’s right.” I set my juice on the table. “I shouldn’t let anything come before my studies.”

“Right?” Aunt smiles with a victorious gleam as if she were waiting for someone to agree with her. “He’s not good for you, anyway.”

I perk up. “What do you mean?”

She gives an awkward laugh. “His last name is King. Their world is different from ours. It’s better to end it now before you grow attached to him.”

Too late.

Uncle sighs with exasperation, pinching his nose. “She has the right to make her own decisions.”