Page 27 of Beautiful Delusions

“Somehow, I don’t quite think this picnic is going to happen.” I sag against Kyan’s body. He’s taut, strained with need but makes no move to proposition me further.

“Oh, it’s happening,” Lucas chuckles, wiping my cheeks clean. “I just forgot to mention you’re the main dish.”

***

We ate the Eton Mess bites in bed that evening, and they were glorious.

Clinking our glasses together, Letty and I down pomegranate mojitos before she finishes painting my face. Standing behind, Jess continues to braid my hair, giving me the full Waversea cheerleader look. Her vanity mirror has been turned away to not spoil the surprise. Giggling and music swirl around the pale pink and cream decor, several girls dancing while they change. There are easily twelve of Letty’s friends in her sorority bedroom, making the huge suite seem small.

“All done,” Letty smiles at her handiwork. Her strawberry blonde hair is pulled tight into two chunky braids, a yellow croptop, and a black mini skirt exposing her athletic body. Planting my backpack in my lap, she nudges her head as if to say ‘scram,’ so she can start painting her next victim. I slink away, seeking out the bathroom for a moment of peace. My cheeks hurt from smiling, my social meter already ticking past ‘filled’. Closing the door, I rest against it and sigh.

“So, are you going to wear it?” Jazzie’s voice rings in my head before I open my eyes. She’s sprawled in the bathtub, her biker boots crossed at the ankles. Casually looking at the backpack clutched in my hands, she blows a bubble of gum. I know what she’s referring to.

Dropping the bag on the counter, I pick out the red ribbon box. No one was home when I retreated back to Thorn Manor after class, but this box was waiting for me on my bed.

‘Last minute practice before the game. See you there, and wear this. L. x’

I peer inside for the second time. The lingerie is exquisite, unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. Split into three pieces, the bra, corseted middle, and panties are crafted from black lace in a flower design. The shoulder straps and back of the thong are fine threads of diamonds, matching those which crisscross over the stomach.

“Well?” Jazzie prompts. I roll my eyes.

“Of course I’m going to wear it.” I swallow hard. Stripping, I pull on the underwear, cinching my waist as tight as I am able in the corset. The lace kisses my skin, rubbing in all the right places to tantalize me all evening. Thicker rose motifs cover somewhat of my modesty, at the apex of my thighs and over my nipples.

Braving a look in the mirror, my cheeks flush. I look completely different, starting with the absence of my glasses. Letty insisted on contacts to save ruining her face paint–twin lines of swirling dots around my eyes in the team’s colors. My hair has been braided on either side of my head, the top gelledup into a mohawk which floats down my back. My fingers toy with the edge of the lace against my stomach, hardly recognizing my own body.

“You nearly ready, Sophia?” Letty bangs and asks through the door, causing me to jolt.

“Yes, just coming!” I shout back, quickly grabbing the rest of my clothes from my bag. Tugging on skinny jeans, I then shrug on a yellow blouse which struggles to close around my now-pronounced cleavage. I slowly button the front, watching my secret lingerie become concealed. I take a moment to tug the cuffs down at my wrists, making sure my scar is tucked away from public view. The brothers are the only ones who have seen it, and I’m still not comfortable with that. Then I stuff my feet into my white Converse. Alongside the gift box, a pair of black heels had been provided, and I decided to leave them behind. No, thank you blisters on my first game night. The music cuts out as I open the door and blend into the exiting crowd, following their parade of laughter all the way to the sports arena.

Posters line the sidewalk, cheering emanating from ahead. I force myself to follow, despite all instincts screaming to run away. If the crowds weren’t enough to make me feel claustrophobic, the thought of this ‘public claiming’ has my gut tightening in knots. Is it going to be as medieval as it sounds? Perhaps it was foolish of me to avoid asking, because now the unknown is threatening to suffocate me from inside.

The path curves around the back of the building, avoiding the open field I was running through two weeks ago. So much has changed in such a short space of time. I’m either a horny fool or a gullible idiot. Striding towards the rear parking lot, an entrance appears beyond parked coaches. Both have Radley spray painted across the sides.

The sound of drums pounds through my being as I step over the threshold, my lungs seizing at the sheer amount of peoplepresent. The bleachers are packed, the crowd split into yellow and red. Homemade banners are thrust into the air, a mixture of booing and cheering making my head spin. In the center of the court, a referee and an umpire appear with microphones, their voices booming through speakers.

“Ladies and gentlemen!” the first shouts. Letty grabs my hand, tugging me towards the stairs. “Welcome to the most anticipated Sports Rally so far this year! Prepare yourselves to witness an exciting clash between these two talented teams. It’s sure to be a thrilling game filled with passion, skill, and determination.” Another round of cheers is punctuated by drummers parading around the edge of the court. “Put your hands together to welcome our competitors, Rrrradleyyyy!”

Cheerleaders accompany the players leaking from the far side of the court, their jerseys black and red. Many have red stripes through their hair, and all have fists pumping in the sky as they break apart to goad the crowd. Being tugged towards a seat at the end of a row, I don’t know where to look. Color and noise assault me so that none of the voices in my head can bleed through. It’s only when the umpire speaks again and the crowd lessens their roars, do I hear the Cheshire cat laughing.

Large eyes and a stripy tail appear before me, spinning and twirling towards the court. Diverting to a corner I hadn’t previously seen, he lays upon a gold and red throne as the Warriors are announced. And there they are, in all their glory. As if they command the light, Kyan, Lucas, and Ezra shine brighter than any of the other players as they run out onto the court to a deafening cheer. And rightly so, because they’re freaking gorgeous. A perfect mix of blonde, black, and auburn hair, the definition of tanned muscle and chiseled jaws. Letty once described them as gods, and I can see why.

“Fuck, they are so hot,” Jess looks over to fan herself. From beside me, Letty sighs.

“I’d give my left tit to be their pet. I wonder who the lucky bitch is.” Keeping my gaze forward, I slink into the seat, hoping the brothers won’t be able to pick me out. This was a terrible idea. What the hell was I thinking?! All I wanted was a quiet life in a new school, to leave my past and my delusions behind. Making friends would have been an added bonus, and I’m about to blow that too.

“You know what,” I mutter to Letty, “I actually feel kinda sick. Might be the mojito disagreeing with me. I’m going to grab some fresh air.” Letty’s eyes fill with concern but she nods, letting me slink down the steps towards the exit. Using the distraction of those hollering and swaying banners around, I make it all the way to the bottom step and round the banister. Then I feel it. The hairs rise on the back of my neck, the weight of attention searing the back of my head.

Frozen to the spot, all I manage is to look over my shoulder and see those three pairs of haunted eyes on me. Only Lucas smiles, his sneakers eating up the space between us. With his attention, comes that of the entire audience and the umpire.

“Hold up, folks, we have one more announcement which needs to be made!”No, no, no, no, god fuck no. I make a run for it, but Lucas is too fast. He’s always too fast. His hand grabs my arm, whirling me against his chest as the other two appear to block me in.

“Where are you going, Sophia?” Kyan asks at the same time Lucas speaks.

“Where’s the outfit I gave you?” Shuddering, goosebumps line my skin as his green gaze tracks my cleavage. “Oh, Feisty One, the time for hiding is over.” Hands seize me, tearing at my clothes until I’m left standing in the diamond-embedded lingerie.

“Please, no, not my blouse,” I squirm, knowing it’s useless. The hideous scar on my arm is laid bare for all to see. My wordsare lost to the cheers. No one can hear me over the wolf whistles, and even if they could, no one would help. This is a game to them all. A cheerleader steps forward with a pair of black Jimmy Choos in her hands.

“Told you she wouldn’t wear the heels,” Ezra growls, accepting them and kneeling. Numbly, I allow him to remove my sneakers and guide my feet into the shoes, putting me six inches closer to Lucas’ gaze. A strip of leather is threaded around my neck, tightened as the collar seals my fate, and I merely stand there.

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