Page 213 of Plaything

She sighed with a delighted flip of her golden hair and fell back on my bed. “I’ve got a childhood of experience.”

“I should thank your parents,” I nodded in agreement, still admiring her work on my face. It didn’t even look caked on—which was impressive considering the layers of makeup she used.

She laughed at my sick joke before she sat up. “You should thank me with a smooch. I’m sure Niko wouldn’t mind,” she said loudly, hoping to get a rise out of him.

“Reesia! I’ve got Collin on speed dial!” Niko threatened in response.

“You’re going to give him an aneurysm one day,” I eyed her.

“If I’m lucky.”

I used the last few minutes to put on my dress, white heels, and royal blue cap and gown. It paired well with the white and gold honors Cords. It would’ve looked better if I was able to get valedictorian, which I was snubbed out of.

Despite my perfect GPA and straight A’s, I was still runner-up. Perhaps I would’ve been valedictorian if I hadn’t been distracted for the past three months.

Still, I wouldn’t change a thing. I got something far more precious than valedictorian Cords.

Reesia left after swooning about how pretty I was and how she was living vicariously through me. She wanted to get good seats for Collin, Jamie, and Vincent, who were all coming.

Tonight, we were having a get-together to celebrate Dominic and my graduation. It lessened the damper of my father passing away the same morning.

Descending the steps, I couldn’t help but snicker at my professors. Their robes swallowed them—even the colossal Dominic. Was it some unspoken rule that academic regalia had to fit everyone like a paper bag? Surprisingly, their attractiveness wasn’t overshadowed by the robes. Their handsome faces stole the show, even in the most atrocious attire ever.

“Look at you!” Niko gushed, quick to lift me by my thighs and carry me down the last few steps. “Fai ingelosire le stelle per quanto splendi,” he flirted as his sneaky hand palmed my ass.

[You make the stars jealous of how bright you shine.]

“I definitely bring up the group average,” I smiled, eyeing their robes teasingly.

Wyatt straightened his tassels. “This peak academia fashion, Baby,” he smirked. “Watch it, one more bratty comment, and I’ll start counting syllables,” he warned while pointing a finger at me.

Debating on how bad that would actually be, I contemplated it for a moment. I was a deprived woman—I’d take what I could get... but my chances of survival would be much higher if I behaved.

“There’s one right there,” Wyatt said.

I opened my mouth in confusion. “I didn’t say anything?!”

“You were thinking about it,” he deadpanned.

Was I that transparent? I opened my mouth to drop a snarky ‘whatever,’ but Dominic beat me to the punch.

“Let’s go before you really get yourself in trouble,” he chuckled while making his way to the door.

“I’ll drive you,” Niko insisted.

“There’s going to be a lot of people there—”

“My windows are tinted, and no one will see,” he assured. It was clear that he wasn’t asking.

Obliging with a slight shrug, I got into his car while the others entered their own vehicles. Chances were that the students, staff, and guests would all be too preoccupied with their own celebrations to even notice us get out of the same car. Even so, the school year was technically over...

“How are you feeling, Cariño? This week has been a lot,” Niko asked as he began driving.

Surprisingly, I cracked a smile at his concern. “I’m okay, actually,” I answered. “I’m excited to graduate, even more excited for the party tonight, and I have absolutely no idea what the rest of my life will look like now,” I chuckled. “But I know it’ll be okay.”

His hand traced patterns on my thigh as he smiled with me. “I have an idea of what it’ll look like.”

Turning towards him, I placed my elbows on the middle console. “Tell me,” I urged, blinking up at him through my lashes.

---