Page 47 of Royal Havoc

Raising his head, eyes scanning over the room, fisting the paper into a ball again. “Miss Graves, stand up,” he orders calmly. Once she’s standing beside her desk, he continues, “Catch.” Tossing the paper at her. She misses. “Let’s hope you read better than you catch. Tell everyone what it says,” he instructs, perching himself on the edge of his desk.

I bite my lip, listening to her sigh loudly. “Keep your slutty ass away from Vex. He’s mine,” she finishes, nervously swaying in spot, too embarrassed to meet his gaze.

“I’m assuming you aren’t referring to me,” he questions.

“No, sir,” she answers at the ground.

“Good. Cause Icanassure you I’m not trying toclaimMr. Carver,” he counters clearly.

“Right,” she agrees quietly, cheeks suddenly turning red, making me bite my lip harder to contain my laughter.

“Let’s take a walk to Mr. Oswald’s office. The rest of you read chapter thirty-six,” he announces on his way towards the door, waiting while Carney gathers her stuff. “Miss Sterling, see me after class,” he calls before ushering her out the door.

I don’t need an ‘A’. I’m not concerned in the least by the alphabet. All I need to do is pass. Although, I’m not an idiot either. Everyone knows you don’t get on teacher’s shit lists. They can literally make years of your life a constant hell, which is why I’m still sitting in the empty classroom even though the bell rang over five minutes ago.

“Sorry to keep you waiting,” he apologizes before the doors fully open.

Meeting him at his desk. “It’s fine.”

He studies me for a brief second before he starts. “I noticed you missed my class earlier this week.”

“Unfortunately, I wasn’t feeling well,” I lie, watching him organize some stuff on his desk.

He finishes, eyes scanning my attire again. “You’re feeling better?” he questions with a raised brow.

“Loads,” I counter, wondering if he’ll catch the joke.

He almost laughs until my treacherous stomach decides to growl. “I’m starving, too. Let’s walk,” he nods towards the door.

I follow him quietly to the panic box, counting my breaths as we wait once we’re sealed inside. “I hate these things, too.Reminds me of a … box,” he tells me, noticing the fear etched on my face.

We step out together, filling our lungs in unison. “Was there something you needed?” I politely ask once I’m able to breathe easily again.

“Right.” He smiles, extending an arm, gesturing for me to go first, then follows to fall into step beside me. “I just wanted to check in with you. I was new at the beginning of the year. I know how brutal this place can be.”

I nervously tuck some hair behind my ear. “Um, thanks. I appreciate that. But, I can handle it.”

We enter the dungeon room together, drawing massive whisper-worthy attention. “The offers out there. If you need a friend, you know where to find me.” He smiles again, squeezing my shoulder, leaving me by the buffet.

twenty-five

Tilt-A-Whirl

Onyx: 2024

Have 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.