Page 150 of Ruthless Kings of Havoc

Too much has happened, and it’s only the first day back.

Fuck it. I’m thirsty.

My Ruthless Kings of Havoc can figure out this puzzle piece of chaos without my interference. All I have to focus on is remaining alive and not creating a bigger list of enemies who wish for my demise.

Easier said than done.

“Sweet Canary.”

I blink and realize I’ve been standing in the middle of the hall, looking at my phone like a devastated fool. I also grasp that Ares is now in front of me.

“A-Ares?” I frown before something cold is pressed against my forehead. “Ow. What’s that for?”

“For zoning out in the middle of the hall like some main ass character in a sitcom,” he complains. “What’s wrong with you?”

“Uh…” I realize if I don’t have an excuse real quick he’ll see the text message. “I was worried I was about to have a seizure,” I lie and lower my hand with the phone so I can look up to him obediently.

The lines of worry on his face are immediate, prompting me to reassure him.

“But it’s a false alarm. I think I’m just a tad overstimulated right now, and I’m probably dehydrated.”

“Here.” He presses the cold item to my forehead again before lowering it to show it’s a cold water bottle. “Drink up before we head to the lockers.”

“O-Okay. We can move out of the way?” I offer and try to move, but Ares takes a step forward and crosses his arms.

“We can stand right here, and you drink your water nice and slow. No one dares to walk into your personal space.”

He says that as if it’s true, and from a quick glance around, maybe he’s right because the moment he stepped close to me, it felt like everyone shifted around a little, so there’s a space around us. Even when people are coming and going from both directions in the hall, when they reach us, they move away to the edges where the lockers are.

It’s haunting to watch in real time, yet it’s really the first time I’ve seen Ares be… well, involved like this. Being seen in the public eye with me since the photoshoot.

Deciding to do as I’m told, I drink down the water as if I’ve been parched for days.

“I should buy you another one.” Ares looks concerned. “Are you still full?”

“Yes,” I reassure him. “I switched meds today, so maybe it’s because of that?”

“Hmm. Okay,” Ares replies and offers me his hand. Taking it, he tugs me forward, not caring how everyone is watching us.Or even taking photos and videos.“Later today, maybe when we’re home from classes, you can let me know what meds you take.”

“Oh…” I’m surprised he’s interested. “Okay.” I slowly squeeze his hand, remembering Matteo gave me a card to go shopping.

“Ares?”

“Yes, Verena?”

“D-Do you, by chance, have time after classes today?”

“Not really.” He glances over his shoulder to look my way. Observing me for a second, he adds, “Depends. Why? Want to go somewhere?”

“Um… Matteo gave me a card to get new clothes, and… well…” I begin to feel flustered, trying to ask him. “I liked how you dressed me last time, so I was hoping you could come with me again. Just to give your style opinion?” By the time I finishasking, I’m positive my face is red as a tomato. “Only if you can. If it’s burdensome or prevents you from going to a shoot, you don’t?—”

“We’ll go,” he affirms, his tone proving there’s no room for debate. “We have the same last class, so let’s go afterward. Gives me enough time to call some boutiques and have some private shopping sessions to avoid the paparazzi.”

I hadn’t even thought of the press.

“You sure?”

“Yes, Verena,” he assures me. “Now, get your stuff from the locker, and let’s go.”

---