Page 69 of The Ruthless Rivalry

It made me uneasy. The Legacies had a way of turning even the smallest things into power plays, and I wasn’t in the mood for games. My head was still pounding, and Sutton’s chipper energy was grating.

It felt odd, though. Like she was being… nice to me? The same way she’d seemed almost vulnerable at the swim meet days ago, when I’d thought she needed a friend. I wasn’t sure what this meant for us. So why did it feel different this time?

I glanced back once before the door shut behind me—just in time to catch Sutton still standing there, watching me walk away with a thoughtful little smile tugging at her mouth.

Weird. But I didn’t have the energy to figure her out right now.

I focused on finding an empty seat, setting the textbook down with a heavy thud. My arms were already sore from carrying it. Great.

The health center was an odd contradiction. From the outside, it was all sharp edges, towering spires, and dark stone. The kind of place you’d expect to find a haunted library or a secret society meeting in the dead of night. But the inside was a complete contrast. Soft, warm lighting and plush chairs making it feelmore like a cozy little lounge than a place where you’d go to get poked and prodded by a nurse.

The receptionist, a kindly older woman with silver hair, looked up as I approached. “What can I do for you, dear?” she asked, her voice gentle.

“I was hoping to get some aspirin,” I said, my voice sounding raspier than usual.

She nodded sympathetically. “Of course. Just fill out this form, and the nurse will be with you shortly.”

I took the clipboard she offered and sank into one of the cushy chairs. As I began filling out the form, I felt my head pulse with every word I wrote. And just when I thought I might escape in peace, the door opened.

Alfie.

His red hair stood out like a flame in the low light, and his face was flushed from what I assumed was some sort of exercise-induced injury. The top hat perched jauntily atop his head only added to the absurdity of the moment. I couldn’t even muster up the energy to give him the courtesy of a nod. We locked eyes, and before I could even process it, he was grinning like a golden retriever, making his way over to the receptionist.

“Hey, Mrs. Hawkins,” he said, his voice low. “Is Dr. Patel in? I think I might’ve pulled something again.”

Mrs. Hawkins glanced up, her eyes darting between him and me before she replied, “He’s with a patient, but I can squeeze you in next if you’d like.”

“That’d be great, thanks,” Alfie said, then turned to me. “You okay, Alex? You’re looking a little green around the gills.”

I didn’t even bother looking up. “Just a headache,” I muttered, my eyes firmly fixed on the form in front of me. Name, date of birth, student ID number—it should’ve been mindless, but somehow, it felt like an exam. The room was spinning a little,and Alfie’s presence was making everything feel just that much worse.

“You sure it’s just a headache?” Alfie leaned in too close, his warm breath on my ear, invading my space like it was no big deal. “You look like you’ve been through the wringer.”

I shift away, annoyed and uncomfortable.

“I’m fine,” I snapped, though it was half-hearted at best. “Just need some aspirin.”

Alfie leaned back, his smirk widening like he’d cracked some kind of secret code. “Ah, I see. Rough weekend, huh? Don’t worry, we’ve all been there.” He paused, clearly about to launch into some lengthy, unsolicited advice about how to “power through,” but instead, he shifted gears. “Speaking of rough weekends, I’ve got thisbigplan for the carnival. I’m talking, like, front and center in front of the board. I’m gonna pitch them this whole—”

He started to get excited, rambling on and on about his “big plans,” practically vibrating with the enthusiasm of someone who believed their idea was the next big thing.

Of course, today of all days, the universe was making sure topenalizeme. The sun was actually out—out—which almost never happened at this university. Sutton was skipping around like she’d just won the lottery. And Alfie? Well, Alfie was Alfie, trying to turn an ordinary conversation into a stage performance.

Before I could come up with a sharp retort, a nurse called my name, and I practically shot out of my seat.

Alfie was halfway through his explanation, but I didn’t wait to hear the rest of it. Today was not the day.

After receiving my medication, I returned to the lobby and found that Alfie had already left, probably in an exam room for his own checkup. Our relationship may have been improving, but today was definitely one day where I was relieved to leavewithout any additional interaction necessary. Especially since Alfie was always so buoyant.

As I leave the health center, walking along the winding pathway, I hear a voice call out, “On your left.” Instinctively, I move aside, and a sharp sting rips across my face as a low-hanging pine branch smacks me. My cheek burns, and I stumble back, fuming as the pain sinks in. Camden steps out from behind the tree, laughing, followed by another person who I assume must be on the archery team, given the bow slung across their back.

I grit my teeth, fury building as they share a laugh at my expense. “You need to be more aware of your surroundings,” Camden teases, as if I’m the one in the wrong. Without waiting for a response, he takes off with his companion, their laughter fading as they jog away.

I stood there, stunned, as the sharp pain from the branch mingles with my lingering headache. The laughter of Camden and his friend fades into the distance. I reach up to touch my face, wincing as my fingers brush against the tender skin. The urge to shout something back at them rose in my throat, but I swallowed it down. It wasn’t worth it. Not today.

I glance up at the eagle statues on the pillars lining the fence, the same ones that have been mocking me since I got here. Of course, they’re laughing again—at me, like they always do. I don’t find it amusing. I never do. If anything, it just makes my headache worse.

I mutter under my breath, glaring at the statues, “You can kiss my ass, you overpaid lawn ornaments.”

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