DIRTY DEAL

RYKER'S POV

Just two weeks.

That's all it took for my dream to rot.

I could vividly recall how ecstatic I had been when I gained a full scholarship into Milestone College. A prestigious boarding college, where the rich ruled and the poor trembled. 

The rich students made my  life hell for one simple reason–I  don't belong to them; I'm a scholarship student.

 And the school management did nothing. If anything, they turned a blind eye.

The little I  can do is to defend myself, at least, to survive.

Splash!

I groaned, shielding my  face for the umpteenth time.

Shirtless boys and girls in bikinis darted around with water guns, laughing as stray streams splashed against me.

It was a pool party meant to welcome the freshmen.

Screams and music filled the air.  Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves.

Everyone except me.

Splash!

I finched, adjusted my glasses, and picked up my wine glass, moving away from the pool–

Unluckily for me, I ran into a gang of bullies.

The drink accidentally spilled on my clothes. I ignored the mess, I had  greater issues to deal with.

“Look who we have here.” A guy with ugly tattoos sneered.

“A scholarship arsehole.” Another added with a tongue click, his face crowded with piercings.

 He looked hideous.

“Those glasses makes him look like a stupid nerd.”

I pressed my lips, silently wishing they just let me  go.

“Ohh, my mark is still on him.” Bobby–a red haired guy muttered, chuckling evilly. He once tore my cheek with a fork.

I should’ve run but that was never an option.

Even if I did, they’d find me and not only hurt me. They’d make me wish I was dead.

Bobby reached for my face, and I stepped back. His face twisted into a scowl and he gripped my  hair roughly, slapping me hard. My  lips bursted.

Laughter erupted around us.

I winced in pain, it stung badly.

Before I  could fully  recover, I was shoved foward–into the pool.

I hit the pool with a  loud splash , panic surging as I fought my way back up. I  hated water. I only came to the party because I heard my  crush and his squad were the hosts.

They were called The Sovereigns—the gods of the school.

And my crush was the leader.

“Arrrgh!!” I yelled, flailing my arms wide, twisting desperately to escape his grip.

“I’ll make you drink this pool dry,” Bobby barked, while his friends roared with laughter.

People watched and laughed. Some pulled out their phones to record, while others looked away–pretending nothing was happening.

My glasses slipped off when I fell into the pool earlier. It only worsened my situation–everything was a blur.

Then suddenly, the noise swelled. Gasps, screams and excitement filled the air. The atmosphere suddenly changed, a dangerous and powerful aura seeping into the air.

“Finally, they're here!! ” A girl screamed, almost fainting.

“Oh my days!! Ryan dyed his hair.”

“Warren..those sexy abs.”

“Jeez…Leo is soo hot.”

My ears tinged at the last statement. With a new found strength, I  yanked myself free.

Three figures walked in.

THE SOVEREIGNS

At their center was Leonardo Rizz–my crush.

I couldn’t see him clearly, but I’d recognize him even in the dark—that’s how obsessed I was. My gaze stayed locked on Leonardo, ignoring everything else around me.

He didn't smile. He didn't look at anyone. His face remained as strong as a rock. His eyes remained blank too, power radiating from him. But Ryan and Warren smirked at least.

Everyone stopped what they were doing just to stare at them, that's how much aura they had.

“Just a kiss…Leo.” A feminine voice rang out behind me–my jaw ticked.

As soon as they walked past, everything returned to normal.

Before I could react, Bobby lunged at me again. But somehow, I dug my hands into his shirt, shoved him backwards and flung my fist straight at his face.

He staggered backwards but I caught his wrist and pulled him into the pool.

“You bastard!” He cursed, panting heavily.

He stretched his hands forward, ready to launch his fist on  my face. I swam out of the pool as fast as I could and took to my heels.

The gang gave me a hot chase.

 Despite my blurred vision, I ran like my life depended on it.

Well, it did.

I crashed into walls, bumped into people but I didn't stop until I  got to a restroom. I pushed myself in and bolted the door, leaning heavily on it.

My eyes fluttered close as my chest heaved.

Then suddenly, I felt a presence–a chilling presence.

There was someone else in the restroom. His aura, his scent–that scent.

My  eyes fluttered open and I  came face to face with my crush.

He backed me, rinsing his hands in the zinc.

A huge lump rose in my throat, my heart hammered against my chest..

I've stalked his social media pages, I've seen his pictures. But this was the first time I get to see him physically.

Damn those pictures! He's more handsome in person.

I had always dreamt of how we'll meet. But never like this–not when I'm a mess.

I turned to leave but his cold voice made me paOkayuse.

“You want to die?” His cold voice sliced through the air.

I froze, my breath caught in my lungs.

Okay! I admit I almost did the stupidest thing ever. Going back out there will only cost me my life.

“Freshman?” He asked, walking towards me. Or towards the door. I wasn't sure.

“Yes..” I  replied, my shaky voice betrayed me.

My crush just spoke to me!

My  heart raced madly.

He stopped right in front of me and his lips curved into a deadly smirk.

“You’ve got to watch yourself,” He murmured, hands brushing my  shoulder just long enough to make me shiver. “This place…scholarship students get eaten alive. Protection isn’t free.”

My  throat went dry. I didn’t want to be helpless. I wanted control, even if only a little.

“Then…if I want protection,” I began, words shaking but daring, “then…maybe you could help, then I help you…in return?”

Leonardo didn't speak, his brows arched questionly.

I swallowed hard, daring to meet that sharp green eyes. “I mean…if you want…we could…be…friends. Friends who—help each other. You protect me…in exchange for…” My voice trailed, but the meaning was clear.

The room seemed to hold its breath. His eyes darkened, assessing and calculating.

“You’re bold,” He said finally. “And…interesting. I think…we could make that work.”

My chest tightened. I had just proposed a dirty deal.

And the devil.…agreed.