Page 52 of Royal Havoc

Shooting to my feet so fast that I almost knock over the chair I’m sitting in. “I have to go,” I sigh, wishing he’d disappear.

“Tulip —”

“What’s going on?” Dan asks, suddenly appearing beside me, cutting B off.

“I’m not feeling well. I need to go lay down,” I lie quietly, spinning around, too embarrassed to face B for another second.

After two steps, my eyes land on familiar ones peering at me. “One second,” I whisper to Dan before stepping to Mom’s table, leaning over a little. “Stop coming here. I hate you,” I whisper angrily before straightening, motioning for Dan to follow as I walk away.

Once I’m finally alone in the safety of my room, I fall on my bed. My skin burns with embarrassment from my lack of filter. I seriously just told the boy I have a crush on that I have boobs. He probably thinks I’m such an idiot. I didn’t mean to tell him. It just kind of slipped out.

Throwing an arm over my eyes, trying to hide myself from the world. My mom’s starting to get on my nerves too. After years, she decides to show up, expecting me to forget that she left me here on my own. No calls. No letters. No visits. No answers.

He said I was here to learn…

Well, I’ve learned more inside these walls than I did in my former life. Screw her if she thinks I’m just going to forgive her and pretend like nothing ever happened.

twenty-eight

A Little Break

Onyx: 2024

Ifound my way to Devil’s Tavern, where rules are meant to be broken and lessons learned.

“Onyx” What the hell are you doing?” Zoey spins me around on the stool, blinking at me in disbelief.

Once the room stops spinning, and I’m able to see her face. “Thinking about a new tattoo… shit, you made me forget,” I pout.

Her lip raises in disgust. “Come on, this place reeks of vomit and STDs,” she sneers, tugging on my arm, trying to pull me from the stool.

Slapping her hand away. “I was a good little squirrel, flaunting his nuts all day. I deserve a break,” I argue, turning around to find my shot.

“Vex is going to stroke out,” she shouts over the music streaming from the jukebox I’ve been feeding for hours.

I slide from the stool, realizing too late it's a horrible decision, trying my hardest to focus on her and not face plant at her feet. “Fuck him and his stupid stroke,” I hiss.

“Hi, I’m Amy,” she rushes, interrupting my rant with her sweet, smiling face. We both turn to gawk at the blonde, who’s currently helping me stand.

“Right,” Zoey mumbles oddly, ignoring her and turning her attention back to me. “Everyone’s looking for you. Hendrix threatened to call the cops —”

“Fuck him too,” I grunt, falling on the stool to give my shaky legs a break. “Where’s my shot?” I yell at the flustered bartender.

What time is it?

My hands start to search for my phone while my inebriated brain works to catch up.

“It’s ten. You’ve been missing for hours,” Zoey answers, making me realize I’ve asked the silent question out loud as she stares blankly at my face. “How did you get here?”

“Walked,” I answer sarcastically, taking the shot Amy hands me. The liquor slides down my numb throat easily. “Leave,” I order, staring at Zoey’s wide eyes.

Bitch is ruining my buzz.

Her pile of white hair bounces as she shakes her head. “I can’t leave you like this,” she screeches frantically. “Vex will have —“

“I’ll make sure to give her a ride,” Bo winks, leaning down, sucking my lips into his mouth. “Miss me?” he flirts badly.

I smile up at him, biting my bottom lip. “Yep,” I answer.

---