Page 55 of King

Was that fight because they lost the game? Or was it something deeper that caused them to get so heated?

Trying to reign in my imagination, I change the topic to art class. Babbling about a potential art scholarship is a distraction but it's not working. I’m nervous about Homeroom. Nervous to see Damien. So I let the conversation go on as long as I can before Allie and Nate take off to class.

Once I'm in front of my homeroom door, I take a deep breath before walking in. Damien’s already in his seat. So is Christian. And when I get in, he doesn’t say a thing. No Medusa. No taunts. I should feel relief, but there's a sinking hole in my stomach.

Nate’s right though, Christian does look banged up. Along with a busted lip, he has a fresh scratch under his eye. He doesn’t look at me either.

Does he know?

Sinking into my seat, I lean over. “Rough game?” I ask. He’s doodling. Swirls and zig-zags but refuses to look my way. I try again. “Thanks for the jersey.”

The slam of his book makes me jump. Christian leans back in his seat, eyes focused on the board with nothing on it. A few seconds later, Mr. Hill walks in and begins the class.

Neither boys look my way the entire time.

The end of the day comes quicker than usual and I spend the majority of it confused.

Confused by me.

Confused by Damien.

I’m even left in the dark about Christian. I didn’t mean for last night to happen. And while I want to forget that it did, it’s making me angrier that Damien hasn’t said anything. At least Lea’s keeping her head down.

Wait, did my dirty deed get me off the blacklist? Did I sign a deal with the devil?

I’m half expecting to bump into Damien in a dark hallway. Or have Isaac make a stupid remark again. Neither happens and by lunch, I’ve had not one encounter with any of the Kings.

I’m on my way to the library, walking down the long hallway that leads to the enormous space. I’m wracking my brain to make sense of the situation. To make sense of myself. If Damien wanted me to leave, he had a strange way of showing it with his fingers deep in my—

“Hey, Jo.” I’m so spaced out that I don't see Luca approaching me. He’s coming out of the library doors and I haven’t seen him since our show of a kiss at the homecoming game. “Disappeared last night.”

“Had a bit of a wardrobe malfunction.” I'm happy to see him. While he’s a jock and acts like it, he’s one of the few people in this school who’s being nice to me.

“And a hell of a wardrobe it was.” He gives me an up and down that earns him a playful punch to his stocky shoulder. It bounces off his muscles and I’m starting to wonder if every guy on The Eagles is this fit. He looks behind him before pointing his thumb at the doors. “Heading to the library?”

“It’s been my refuge,” I say. "Not like I have much else going on anyway.”

“Not until now.” Looking behind me, he reaches in his pocket and pulls out a small baggie of weed. “Care to partake?”

Looks like knowing the jocks at ERA has its perks. “That I do.”

A smile spreads across Luca’s face as he takes my hand and leads me towards another exit.

It’s not long before we’re behind the pool and hockey building. He’s quick to roll up a joint while I take a deep breath in the cool air. Once it's lit, Luca passes it to me. It must be the same stuff that Isaac dropped because it's as smooth and cerebral as the first time I smoked out here.

Luca coughs between his words, “You’re quite the newbie."

“It seems you are too.” Taking the joint from his fingers, a cheeky smile creeps across my face.

He chuckles, “I’m more of a whiskey guy myself.”

"Sounds like you have good taste." My head gets warm and fuzzy, cannabis settling into my lungs.

Luca looks at me, his eyelids low. “Oh, I know I do.” He leans in and I pull away, putting the joint between my lips as an extra block.

“What’s wrong?” he asks.

“Okay, we should talk.” Before I let him down, another puff calms my nerves. “Last night, I was only proving something to Lea but I shouldn’t have used you like that. I’m sorry.”

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