Scooting my body up to the headboard, I grab one of the big fluffy pillows and scream into it.
This can’t be happening.
Knock knock knock.
“What is it?” I groan.
The door creaks open. “Princess, your friends are waiting downstairs in the foyer,” Angelina says.
She’s been my personal maid for two years. I overheard her defend me from the other maids, and she’s been my favorite ever since.
“Just send them up,” I reply with a sigh, staring up at the ceiling.
“Of course.”
I’ve been laying here for hours and this still doesn’t seem real. How can they just ship me off like this?
A chorus of hey’s cut through the air, all annoyingly fake. I peek to watch all three of them entering the open door with forced smiles on their faces.
Typical.
They all flop down on the black couch against the opposite wall.
“Last night was fun, wasn’t it?” Evelyn asks.
“It was great! We should go out earlier today. Maybe go shopping and have a meal at The Crown?” Amanda suggests.
Right. The Crown. The most expensive restaurant in downtown Kardenster.
“What do you think, Mera?” Josh’s charismatic voice makes me sit up to look at them. Josh has forever been trying to use that charisma to become my boyfriend. Never in a million years, asshole. I know where that’s been.
I guess the only good thing about all of this is that I get to say this. “Sorry, no can do guys. Tonight’s my last night and I’m going to spend it packing.”
Glancing at each of them, I watch their fake smiles fall from their faces. Josh manages to keep his face neutral, but the girls frown.
Amanda straightens against the back of the couch. “What do you mean, Mera?”
“Yeah, where are you going?” Josh asks, brows furrowing.
“The U.S. Specifically, Southern Goldsworthy University. And I won’t be back for a long time, apparently.”
Annoyance forms in their eyes as they all turn to look at each other.
Evelyn giggles a bit. “On graduation night, didn’t you shit talk that place during that impromptu interview with the press? I wouldn’t want to be you when you get there. Please tell me they won’t make you actually go and embarrass yourself, Mer.”
Oh yeah. I was super drunk and I just wanted to be left alone, so I said whatever came to mind. Mother was upset for months.
“Come on, there must be something you can do,” Amanda says, poking her lip out.
Anyone who wasn’t paying attention might think this was real, that they really had three good friends who were just looking out for them. But I know they’re just acting this way because they’re going to miss the money and the free stuff.
“Well, I guess we’ll go then,” Josh says with a sigh. “Group hug?”
Inwardly, I roll my eyes, but stand up all the same and let them hug me without hugging back.
Amanda and Evelyn leave first, knowing that sticking around won’t do anything for their wallets.
“Bring us back some cool souvenirs. We’ll see you when you get back,” Josh says and then he finally leaves too.
I walk to my door and go to close it when I hear the echoes of their voices as they walk down the grand staircase.
“No more free booze. My dead grandma’s birthday was coming up in a few days too.”
“I was so sure we were going to fuck before this weekend was over.”
Clenching my teeth together, I close the door and run back to my bed and flop down on it.
Fucking leeches.
The next morning, I’m standing in front of the plane steps in a pink tank top with my pink hoodie and dark blue jeans with my pink bag on my shoulder with “Princess” bedazzled on the side.
“You’re going to be fine, sis,” Cate remarks, touching my shoulder. “Sorry Mother and Father couldn’t be here. Running a country and all.”
“Yeah I know and I will.”
“That’s a big change from yesterday.”
I chuckle a bit and turn to look at her. “I thought about it all night long and as much as I hate that this is happening, I can’t stay angry about it. I’ll just have to make this place my bitch, princess style.”
She grins and pulls me into a hug. “That’s the baby sister I know. Now listen, if you get into the same sorority Mother did, she might have more mercy on you. As soon as you get there, get an application for Zeta Delta Beta.”
Sure, I can do that. What sorority wouldn’t want a princess as a member?
“Now go, and try not to enjoy the parties too much, hm? And if you need me, I’ll always answer the phone,” she says, letting me go.
I walk up the stairs and take one last look behind me at beautiful Kardenia. The rolling green hills, the cool blue lake, and the clear sky are only a piece of what I love about my home.
“See you, Cate,” I say, turning around and finally going inside.
“I love you!” She yells as the steps are drawn in and the door closes.
With a small smile, I mumble, “I love you too,” and settle into one of the many empty seats.
“Buckle up, princess,” one of the pilots hollers from the cockpit. “It’s going to be a long twelve hours.”
A great benefit from not sleeping all night. I get to sleep now. I pull out a pair of pink fluffy earmuffs and an eye mask.
It only takes a few seconds for me to completely drift off.
A hand touches my shoulder and I jump. Wrenching the earmuffs and eye mask off, I lock eyes with the pilot. “Sorry I scared you, but we're here. Time to go.”
The scare wears off and I glance toward the window. The afternoon sun is streaming in. “Already?”
I didn’t think I’d sleep the whole flight, but I guess that’s what happens when you party all night and only get a few hours of sleep a day.
By the time I get out of my seat, the door is open, the stairs are down. Hitching my bag over my shoulder, I walk out to find it blazing hot. But I don’t want to take my hoodie off just yet. Of course in Kardenia it gets hot sometimes, but I don’t think I’ve ever felt heat like this before.
I amble down the stairs and hop into the waiting car that takes off the moment the door closes. “Good afternoon, Princess, and welcome to sunny Southern California. It’s currently 105 Fahrenheit, which is pretty common for this time of year I hear, so make sure you drink plenty of water.”
As if I didn’t know from the way my skin burned the moment I stepped out of the nice air-conditioned plane. “Thanks.”
“Oh and the King and Queen asked me to let you know that while they are keeping your cards active, you won’t be allowed to spend more than necessary. No big clothing purchases. No electronics. Only food and school related items will be allowed. The minute they see a huge purchase they will cancel your cards and you’ll be left with nothing.”
“Wonderful,” I mutter and glance out the window as we make our way onto the highway. “Why is there so much traffic on this highway?”
“Freeway,” he quips. “This is normal for a weekend afternoon.”
At least the air is on. I grab my earbuds from my bag and pop them in, shuffling my music library and getting lost in the beat.
After what seems like forever, the door opens and my eyes widen as I realize I didn’t even notice us pull up. That means…I’m here.
My stomach flutters a bit as I pull my hair into a high ponytail.
This is it. I grab my bag and slide out and into the heat. The sight of the tall trees catch my eyes first, followed by the tall glass building only 500 feet away with the words Administration emblazoned on the top.
Is that where I have to go? It would’ve been helpful if they had some sort of map mounted and someone to take my bags. I really have to lug them around until I find where I’m supposed to go? Glancing down, I eye the first two and the third is in the driver’s hand and promptly plopped down next to the other two.
>
“Have a good time,” he says with a bow and hops into the car that zooms off.
Yeah, thanks for just taking off and leaving me. A few laughs sound off in the distance. As they grow closer, I can tell they’re the mocking kind. The kind I wouldn’t have to deal with at home. Everyone there respected me.
This is my new reality.
Clutching my bag closer, I mutter, “They better not be coming toward me.” It’s too fucking hot to deal with catty people. I wipe the beads of sweat off my forehead as I feel their eyes on me. Thankfully, they’re walking past, but when they finally get into my view, I see them turn and hide giggles behind their hands.
“Bitches.” I say it loud enough for them to hear me and they frown, but keep on walking.
“You know, it was probably that princess bag of yours and that hoodie that tipped them off to who you are.”
I look over my shoulder to find a tall guy with a charming smile that seems so model-like. Who is this guy and what is he doing at this college? He runs a hand through his hair which grants me a view of his toned biceps in a short-sleeved shirt. “Sorry, you’re a little late. I was waiting out here for a while, but it’s a hot day today. I’m your campus guide.”
His eyes, as green as the trees around us, meet mine.
I half-expect to see hatred or annoyance. I mean he has to know about what I said about this place. But for the first time ever, my expectations are out the window. I can’t detect anything. This hasn’t happened before. “Traffic sucks here.”
He chuckles. “Yeah I know. I’m Heath, by the way.”
“Mera.”
“Yeah I know. Princess Mera.” He does a little bow, making a show of it and earning a laugh from me before grabbing two of my bags.
“So Heath, does everyone know I’m coming today?”
“Ah, you haven’t been on the internet, have you? It leaked online twenty hours ago that you were going to be a student here. My dad told me last night that I’d have to show you around.”
Typical. At least this place is gated and the paps can’t come on campus. I wouldn’t doubt it was my “friends” who leaked the info for money. It wouldn’t be the first time.
“Well, don’t worry. I won’t force you to do anything except help me carry these to my dorm room.” I’m sure this is the last thing a guy like him wants to do.
“Hey. Let me do my job. My dad will kill me if he doesn’t think you’re fully satisfied. Follow me.”
We start down the concrete path between the lines of trees. “And your dad is…”
“The Dean.”
I glance to my left to find a tight smile on his face for a brief second before flitting back to his charming one. “Heath Goldsworthy at your service.”
“So you practically own this school, I take it?”
“That’s right. We do things our own way here, sometimes way off of the norm of other college campuses.”
As we make our way to an open concrete area with a bunch of tables, chairs, and benches, I hear a chorus of yells.
“Heath!”
“Bro come hang out when you’re done.”
“Get some lunch with us.”
Heath nods in their direction. “Sorry guys, not today.”
A few girls glare in my direction, and a few of them wave erratically at Heath until he smiles in their direction. That one smile causes a few kisses to be blown his way and I look away once I see how uncomfortable Heath looks.
“Got your own fan club, huh?” How could he not with a perfectly chiseled jaw like his?
“However did you notice?” He snorts and turns a corner. A tall six-story building looms several feet away.
A few minutes later, we come to a stop in front of it. I use my arm to wipe the sweat off, which doesn’t do much for me, so I’m ready to go inside. Heath grabs the top of his shirt and wipes the sweat beading on his forehead, giving me an amazing view of the bottom of his six-pack.
A lump pools in my throat and I cough loudly.
“Your throat is probably dry. Let’s head in so you can get some water.”
The moment we walk in, all heads turn in our direction. God, I hate when people do this. Every girl’s eyes light up when they see Heath.
“Oh Heath!”
“Heeeeeath!”
“You look so tired, let me get you a water.”
One of them practically hurts herself, jumping off one of the couches and racing to the refrigerator at the far end of the room. She quickly puts the bottle in his hand, brushing along his finger as she lets go.
God, how does Heath stand this? Is he the only hot guy on campus?
“Thank you…what was your name again?”
“Jenny.”
“Thanks, Jenny. I appreciate the gesture, but my friend here is thirsty too. Mind getting one for her?”
Friend? He probably doesn’t mean that.
Jenny seems to notice me for the first time as her eyes slide over to me. Turning her nose up, she turns around, moving her hips in an exaggerated motion as she retrieves another bottle.
“Here you go!” she says in a fake ass peppy voice.
“Thanks.”
After taking a few big gulps, Heath’s water is gone, and he tosses the bottle in the recycling bin near the door. I’m still sipping mine when he starts toward the middle of the room where the two elevators are.
I wonder what floor I’m on. Not that it matters, since I won’t be in this dorm for very long.
It opens and we step in. He presses the number five.
“Room 515. Almost the top floor. Sadly, there’s no view for the freshman dorm. It’s actually in the worst spot. Now the senior dorm, that’s where you’ll get a view of the quad and the trees. The science building.”
“It doesn’t really matter. I’ll be in a sorority soon.”
The doors open and I step out first with him right behind me. “Oh? And what sorority would that be?”
“Zeta Delta Beta.”
He bursts out laughing and I turn around to look at him. “What’s so funny?”
We stop in front of a door with the number 515 on it. He sets my bags down and digs a keycard out of his pocket, sliding it quickly. Once we’ve set everything down, and I’ve sat at the edge of one of the beds with nothing on it, I look in his direction.
“Well? What’s so funny?”
He covers his mouth to hold another laugh and then crosses his arms. “I just don’t think you’re going to get in.”
“What? Why not? Anyone would love to have an actual, real life princess join their sorority. That was the sorority my mother was a part of. How could I not be let in?”
He sighs. “The simple, honest truth is…my little sister can be a bitch. She’s president as of tomorrow, and I just know she’ll find a reason to not accept you, even with you being a legacy.”
“She can’t do that. I need to get into that sorority.”
He glances toward the lone window in the room like he’s thinking hard, and there’s a long moment of silence. “I don’t really know you that well and considering you called all the guys who go here, fuckboys…”
I wince and bite my lip and try to remember exactly what I said in that interview.
“…which does include me, I should be the asshole that you expect me to be and say you’re on your own. But, I won’t. I’ll ask my sister for an application and when I do, I’ll put a few good words in her ear about you.”
Oh my God, I could hug this guy. “Thank you so much, Heath!”
A slow smile spreads across his face, and this one actually reaches his eyes. He digs in his pocket, bringing out a slip of paper. “Here’s your schedule.”
History. English. Algebra. Bio. Art.
Fun stuff. Said no one ever.
“Oh shit, I have class tomorrow and no school supplies.”
“Well I guess with your parents being the King and Queen they wouldn’t have time to take you out to buy them. Lucky for you, your guide knows where the stu
dent store is. Let’s go.”
After the run to the student store, Heath takes me around the whole college. I’ve never seen so many open glares in my life. I’ve also never seen so many thirsty girls in my life. Heath is basically a prince in his own right.
From the student store, to the class buildings, to the cafeteria for lunch. Luckily it wasn’t a huge thing since Heath went in the side entrance to get sandwiches from the sandwich place. We ate and continued to the woods around the lake and then all the way back around to the administration building and the small financial aid one behind it. This whole time, he’s carried my bag full of supplies.
We sit on the bench outside the financial aid building and drink the last bit of our water from the cafeteria.
“Was your sister sad to see you leave?” he asks, propping his hands behind his head and leaning back.
“A little, I think. We’ve never been apart for long.”
“It must be nice to be so close. I don’t know if my little brother and I will ever be that close. We could go months without talking to each other and be happy about it. It wasn’t always as bad as it is now, but…anyway, let’s get you back to the dorm so you can unpack.”
Suddenly, I remember how I thought this was going to be a terrible day. It was completely the opposite, and it’s all thanks to Heath. “Thank you,” I mumble.
“For what? Being a decent person? It must be hard being somewhere brand new and alone at that. This is your brand-new start. So, since you’re not half bad, let’s be friends.” We lock eyes as he puts his hand out, and I slowly shake it.
“Well, well, look who I’ve finally found.”
Heath’s head whips around, and I turn to look too as a guy pops around and stands in front of the bench. I see the grimace on his face first, a stark contrast to the smile I saw on Heath’s face. I hate that it’s even possible, but he looks even more devastatingly handsome than Heath does. His ocean blue eyes are piercing and cold, but underneath that, very subtly, I can see a hint of anger.
The Princess and the Bully (Goldsworthy University Book 1) Page 2
