All Chapters of The Prince's Plaything: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Chapter 12Lily's POV.I spun around in front of my bedroom mirror, trying to zip up the deep-blue cocktail dress Sonia had insisted we buy for this party. My heartbeat thudded in my temples, and every ten seconds my hairbrush clattered to the floor. I glanced at the clock: 9:18 PM. The party started at 9:00.“Ugh!” I yanked the zipper as far as it would go. It stuck. My headache flared brighter behind my eyes.“Relax,” Sonia said, flinging a tangle of her own hair over her shoulder as she pulled at the zipper from behind me. “It’s on its way.”Her words sounded tinny in my skull. The room looked like a tornado had passed through: shoes everywhere, makeup strewn across the dresser, clothes draped over every chair. I glanced down at my dress. The fabric strained at the seams.“Can we please just change?” I groaned. “I look awful.”Sonia’s eyes widened. “You look amazing. But fine, let’s try the other dress.”"Sonia! Where's my silver dress? The one with the slit!" I yelled, my voice ec

Chapter 14Lily's POV.I didn’t know how I managed to keep dancing during the cheer practice after what just happened in the locker room. Joe had walked right past me like I didn’t exist. After everything. After he saved me. After he looked into my eyes that night with more concern than anyone ever had.I was shaken, and I couldn't concentrate. My steps were off, My timing was trash. And of course, the coordinator snapped.“You!” he snapped, pointing. “Mittens! If you can’t keep up, get out!”The entire squad turned to stare. I forced down the lump in my throat and nodded slowly, moving to the side. Sonia jogged over to me after we were dismissed and sat beside me in the stands.“Lily! That coordinator was a jerk. Are you okay?” she asked, eyes wide.I slumped next to her, tucking my feet under me. “I’m fine,” I lied. My throat was tight. “I just… I just don't like things like this. It's so stressful.""Hey, are you still mad?" she asked, nudging me lightly.I folded my arms and stare

Chapter 16Lily's POV.I pasted a smile on my face, even though my chest felt heavy with the sting of Mark’s words. Every time I thought tonight was going to go well, something reminded me that perfect was impossible.The soft purple blossoms looked gorgeous under the restaurant’s chandelier light, and his grin was as warm as the buttered bread we’d just tasted.“Are you okay?” Mark asked, reaching across the table to brush my hand with his fingertips. His expression was innocent and hopeful. “Sorry if I was harsh earlier. You know I didn’t mean it that way.”I gave a tight nod and squeezed his fingers gently. “It’s fine. Really.”The conversation shifted to lighter things, homework, mutual friends, funny things that happened in class. By the time we were waiting for the desserts, my heart felt lighter too. Mark reached behind his chair and pulled out a bouquet of lilacs.“They’re beautiful,” I whispered, touched by the gesture. The sweet fragrance was intoxicating as I brought them c

Chapter 18Lily's POV.I slipped into the passenger seat of Mark’s sleek black sedan, my heart still fluttering from the evening’s tensions. “Thanks for this,” I murmured as he started the engine.“Anytime,” he said, glancing at me with that easy smile that made my chest warm. “I know your mom’s working overnight, so you’d be home alone.”I nodded. “Yeah. I’d feel better not being by myself.”He reached over and gave my hand a quick squeeze. “Come to my place then.I think my parents are out of town for the weekend. We might have the house to ourselves.”The idea felt comforting…and dangerously intimate. “Okay.” I ducked as he turned onto the quiet street leading to his family home.We arrived at a sprawling two-story house, lights off except for the porch lamp. Inside, it was warm and welcoming, the soft glow of recessed lighting, a faint scent of vanilla from the stovetop diffuser.When we pulled up outside his house, he unlocked the door and led me inside. The house was quiet; his p

Chapter 20Joe's POV.I jogged onto the practice field, my heart still pounding from last night’s chaos. The grass was damp with morning dew, and the floodlights cast long shadows across the turf. Coach Ramirez sauntered to the center, clipboard in hand, barking orders at the rest of the team. But my mind was elsewhere, on Lily.She’d been right beside me in that meeting room mere minutes ago. I could almost feel her breath against my neck, the ghost of her perfume lingering in the air. If I could snap my fingers and erase every other thought, I’d dive back into that moment last night and finish what we started. But instead, she’d slipped away, leaving me cold and hollow.The coach's voice cut through my thoughts like a whistle. “Joe, focus. Get your head in the game.”I jerked back to reality and nodded. Training had already started, but my mind was still back in that meeting room, back next to Lily, feeling her presence like a current under my skin. Even after last night and her dis