Black Knight (Royal Elite 4)

I erase the text before hitting send. If I do, he’ll just call me, and I don’t have the physical or mental energy to deal with those emotions right now.

So I check the other texts instead.

Ronan: Kimmy!

Ronan: Kim-my.

Ronan: Pay attention to me, la merde.

Ronan: I’m hurt, I’m going to cry in a corner.

I smile. He stayed by my side until Mum came earlier. I have a feeling it was his testimony against Veronica that saved me from suspension. I’m sure the others didn’t testify in my favour.

Kim: You don’t cry.

The reply is immediate.

Ronan: I do now. So, party at my place?

Usually, I would be all over that because the letting go, the drinking and dancing, takes my mind away from the fog.

Today isn’t the day, though.

Kim: I have to study.

More like crawl further into my blanket and stay up all night, trying to fight these cancerous thoughts away.

Ronan: Come on, don’t be a bore.

When I don’t reply, he sends another text.

Ronan: Xander is here and he’s so drunk, he can’t stand.

I type before thinking.

Kim: Why would I care about that?

Ronan: Dunno. Thought you’d be interested in seeing me whipping his arse in a drinking competition?

No. I wouldn’t be interested. That bastard is the reason behind this in the first place.

If he hadn’t come in class with Veronica, blatantly parading his night with her in front of me, I wouldn’t be in this damn predicament now.

Screw him.

I check the other texts from my best friend.

Elsa: Want me to come over?

Elsa: I’m worried about you, Kim.

Elsa: We can go to Ronan’s party if you want?

If my parties’ terrorist friend is offering to go to a party for my sake, then she really is worried.

If I don’t reply, she’ll burst through the front door, and I can’t have Elsa see me this way.

Kim: You going to a party? Who are you and what have you done to my best friend?