Chapter 12

*Tristan*

"Bro, all my body aches from all those training sessions. The coach isn't really giving us space. We barely have enough time to go to the dungeon. I'm starting to wonder if that sport was even worth it," Derek asked lazily as usual.

"You're just making up excuses for being a pussy," I interpreted.

"Exactly, but he's also right. We've barely had enough time to visit the dungeon all in the name of after-school sport training," Eric reasoned.

"See? At least Eric supports me on this," Derek smiled smugly like he just won a lottery.

"I really don't," Eric said as a matter of fact.

Ha. Eric never lets him rejoice, and as expected, Derek nearly exploded.

"I always knew you hated me," Derek said, almost on the verge of tears.

"Good. I almost thought I was sending off the wrong message."

"Come on, dude, just let Derek be Derek."

We were heading out from the locker room, and yes—we were at school before school hours. That coach is really something.

"Is it just me, or does everyone seem frozen?" Derek confirmed by snatching a chip bag from a guy who indeed looked frozen. What happened here?

That was when my eyes moved on its own accord. I noticed someone had just stepped in, and it was—it was Ariana Kings? No, more like Ariana Queen. All dolled up like a princess. I noticed her cheeks were fully pink from all the blushing, which made her look so cute.

Wait, what?! The fuck did I just say? Her? Cute? Nah.

Derek whistled.

I snapped out of my dazed self. Seeing her like this, how could I ever pass on this chance to get under her skin?

"Cinderella, Cinderella," I whistled as I came closer. Everyone else seemed to have unfrozen. I watched as her jaws tightened at the name. I'm really going to enjoy this.

"If it isn't Princess Ariana of the seven seas," I said with a slight curt.

"See? This guy gets it," a guy beside her said, and that was when I realized there were actually two people beside her who had a striking resemblance to Ariana. I assumed they were her siblings.

"Oh, who do we have here? Are these bodyguards or something?" I asked tauntingly.

"Good morning, Tristan," Ariana said with a smile. She actually called me by my name, and it actually sounded so good—with an innocent look, I would have been fooled if I didn't know the real her.

"I really love this dress of yours. It makes you seem quite different from your usual self," I said with a smirk. How could I not know she's pretending to be someone she's not?

"What do you mean? I don't look any different. This is my usual look," she said between clenched teeth.

"You're really making me uncomfortable," she said timidly, looking at her siblings. What is wrong with her? Where is the Ariana that would have midway landed me a punch?

"Really? That doesn't quite add up. You seem a litt—"

"Hey, didn't you hear her, or were your ears blocked when she said she didn't look different?" The girl beside her who hadn't said anything the entire time seemed to be glaring at me. But one thing I hate? Being interrupted.

"Did you just interrupt me?" I asked, already feeling irritated.

"Did you just breathe?" she retorted.

"I see sharp mouth seems to run in the family," I said. A noticeable fact.

"What did he just say?"

"I think what he's trying to say, brother, is that we are a rude and unrestrained people," Ariana so kindly interpreted. She seemed to be enjoying this.

"Brother, I think he might really try to hit us," she said, almost trembling again. I was beyond speechless. Before I knew what was happening, I was held against a locker.

"Bitch, you don't want to open that mouth of yours again, or you might just end up in the cabin," her sister said with malicious intent. I was all too aware of this feeling—I feel it every time I set my eyes on my target.

"Brit!" The other two shouted. I could actually see through worry and... fear? in their eyes. What is this cabin she speaks of?

"That's enough. Come here right now," the brother said, but this Brit seemed to be in a frenzy mode.

Well, I guess two can play this game. Before I could do anything, the bell rang.

"Let's go. We've got other trash to take care of," her brother reminded.

"Fine. But just a piece of advice—duck when you see me," she smiled all too sweetly. This family is sick.

Everyone who seemed to have watched the show dispersed quickly for their classes. Kings 1, Johnson 0.

"Move it!" I yelled.

"Wow, I've never seen anyone who looks scarier and can anger you in a long time," Derek proceeded to annoy me, and that really snapped me. I rudely held him up against a locker—not like you could do that nicely.

"Oh yeah, see how scary I can be when you open that mouth of yours again?" There was obvious fury in my eyes. His eyes were wide open. I just dropped him.

"Fuck off, man," he said while walking out.

"You know, the person who provoked you is still out there, and there's nothing you can do about it other than yelling or taking it out on your friends," Eric said.

"You guys are not my friends," I regretted saying that immediately it left my mouth.

"Yeah, you're right. I just keep forgetting. Why don't I go check up on my actual friend?" he said, walking away too. I could see the hurt in his eyes. I guess that's my favourite thing to do—pushing people away.

Well, today's been shitty.

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A/N

Hey guys, I know it's been a while. I'm still taking care of some issues for now, please bear with me. Love Y'all <3

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