Page 77 of King

She reaches across and hugs him before she gets out of the car. Is this a secret date? Allie walks around to the other side and my fists clench, confirming what I thought.

Christian Perez.

“There you are my queen of darkness,” Nate’s voice comes from behind. “Got your message. What are you—”

I shush him, taking a step back as Christian looks towards the door. The hallway darkens again and I turn to Nate. First Lea, now Christian. I have to know what’s going on. Can I trust her?

“Why is Allie with Christian?” I ask.

Nate shrugs. “Probably more family drama.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Family drama?”

He tilts his head to the side. “You’re joking, right? She didn’t tell you?”

“Tell me what?”

He hesitates, staring into my eyes before his shoulders drop. “You don’t know that they’re related? Allie and Christian are twins!"

Twenty-Two

“They’re what?”

I didn’t hear that right.

Nate’s eyebrows knit together. “Yeah! Alejandra and Christiano Perez. C’mon sis, get with it.”

My heart’s racing and my palms clammy. How did I not notice Allie and Christian are twins?

“Why wouldn’t she tell me?” I start trying to process the situation but my brain scrambles.

First Lea, now Christian. What else is she hiding?

“No clue.” Nate shrugs. “I assumed you knew."

The door opens and Allie’s standing in front of me. I let my question fire, “Where were you?”

“Getting gas?” She says this as if I’m the crazy one and so I don’t slap her, I walk away.

“I gotta go.” I'm trying hard to keep my arms by my side. “You guys enjoy lunch.”

Allie calls my name. So does Nate but I don’t answer. As far as I know, Allie lied to me. She's supposed to be an ally and now, I don’t even know if I can trust her. I don’t know where I’m going until I get to the front steps of the school. With nowhere to go my anxious energy makes me pace, the fresh Eden air helping to cool me down.

The rev of an engine comes from below. I look down the steps to see Damien’s Lambo. He rolls the window down and waves me over with his hand.

I shake my head, way too annoyed for any of his shenanigans. He honks the horn as long and loud as it was that night. It makes him impossible to ignore and I don't need any more attention.

Sighing, I walk towards him. It's like the universe is telling me the only person I can trust is the devil.

He leans towards the window, "Did you get my gift?"

“That was you?” I'm quick to hop down the last few steps so I can hear him better. And so I can throw my lighter through his window.

He dodges it before he returns with a smirk. “I’ll take that as a yes.”

“Why can’t you give me gifts like a normal person? Why do you have to embarrass me in front of the entire scho—”

“Are you done talking? Or are you going to get in here so I can show you how to use it?"

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