Page 10 of Innocent Princess

Changing tactics, Wells walks into the room and leans his back against the glass. "How's your uncle?"

I know how to push his buttons, but I give the dude some credit, he knows how to push mine as well. I have more control over my emotions than he does, so I keep the smile plastered on my face.

"Uncle is good." It's all I offer.

"Still grumpy about your choice of extra-curriculars?" He's referring to the fact that on occasion I've been on the top of the Dean's shit list, and therefore, my uncle's.

My parents died when I was a toddler. It sucked. I spent a few years in the system before my dad's long-lost older brother decided to do me a solid and take me in. By take me in, I mean, he sent me off to boarding school. Since I've been in his care, eleven or so years now, I've only spent about a year's worth of time with the old ass.

He's a self-made millionaire, some high-powered real estate mogul living the ultimate bachelor life. He didn't want his lifestyle cramped by some bratty nephew he didn't want.

Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful he pulled me from the system. However, my multi-millionaire guardian does not provide everything I want and need. He gives me just enough to get by. I never had nice, new things like my rich-as-fuck classmates, and I never seemed to fit in with the students at the expensive boarding schools I attended.

But I adapted. It's what I do.

If I'd been left in the system, I wouldn't have gotten the education I did. While I didn't love living away at school, I did relish in the fact that I stayed in one place year after year. I experienced teachers who cared more for their students than my uncle ever did for me. I hadn't planned on going to college, since I didn't want to pay for it, but I was surprised when he requested I go to his alma mater. One hundred percent paid for, plus a tiny expense account for school-related expenses. I thought, why the hell not?

I'm living a pretty damn easy life. I do what I want. I hack into shit for fun. I do just enough school work to keep my grades passable. As long as I keep up my grades or don't get caught hacking, I don't hear from my uncle.

But, over the past couple of years, I've been stupid, and I've gotten caught. Petty shit, mostly, but I've had to answer to my uncle. I learn from my mistakes. I get smarter.

I chuckle at Wells's question. My uncle’s stance on my hacking hobby remains the same. "He's always been grumpy and will die grumpy."

"True that." He laughs, and for the first time this year, I think we are actually enjoying each other's company. The moment ends, and he pushes off the wall. "Alright, well, see ya around, Ryker."

He gets a few feet out of the room when I call him back. He doesn't seem perturbed when he turns and walks back in. He steps up to the table, coming further into the room than before.

"Hey, there's this new student. Transfer. Tiny. Blonde. Lots of hair." I lift my hands and stretch my arms out to the side of my head, then drop them to the side. "Like long. Very long hair."

His eyes narrow. "Why?"

"I just met her. I haven’t seen her before. Call me curious."

"I know her." Is all he offers.

"Oh, great to hear, I'm happy for you. Carry on." Clearly, he's turned back into a tool bag.

"Why do you want to know her?" He studies me, thinking I'm up to no good.

"I didn't say I did. Just wanted to know who she was." I don't mention I know her name. I also ignore the fact that I could easily log into the school registrar’s system and look her up and find out her schedule, but that feels an awful lot like stalking.

He takes another assessing glance my way and puffs his chest. "She's one hundred percentnotyour type, Ryker."

The dude has a crush.I lean back in my seat and cross my arms, grinning. I can't say I'm happy about this, but I probe. "Ah, so you've got a thing for Blondie?"

"No. She's my friend. That's it." He looks flustered. It's easy to read the embarrassment on his face.

"You mean, she friend-zoned you. Shit, bro. That sucks." This is good news, but bros before hoes and all that, I can't let it on that I'm happy about this information.

"Not at all. Just friends. She's not into dating. Anyway, see ya around." He turns and stalks out.

Right before he closes the door behind him, he looks back at me. "Maybe if you came to class, you could get your questions answered on your own instead of camping out in the library, waiting for a glimpse."

Damn.He's on to me.

A few hours later, I walk into the small, forum-style classroom. It's a large class of about a hundred or so. This size class isn't the standard here at CamU.

I casually walk up the stairs of several rows of seats, pretending to look for an open seat. About mid-way up the room, I see her.

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