The Academy 2

29

Nicola's POV

"Have you guys seen Alicia?" I sat on the cobblestone wall.

"Nope!" Shawn and Justin said.

"Was she not in class?" Cher and Hyde walked up.

"Nah." I shook my head.

I was about to ask another question, but the sound of chatter distracted me. We looked to see a crowd surrounding someone. They were excitedly speaking to this mysterious person. Because there were so many people, I couldn't make out the person in the middle.

"Wonder who that is." Taylor walked with her hand entwined with KJ (Yep, they're a thing now).

"I'd say one of the McAllisters, but they would've demanded people not to get so close to them." Rosé had her arm swung around Leon and Michael's shoulders.

We then started talking about random things. Michael invited us to a charity event that he and Hailey were hosting. It was for child education in the sub Saharan region of Africa. It was a formal event and he highly encouraged me to bring Alicia's wallet. I rolled my eyes at his smirking face.

Justin explained that Hailey was absent since she had a luncheon with donors. He was supposed to join her, but couldn't get out of hockey practice. Obviously, Hailey wasn't amused and he was on her shit list. Shawn laughed and nudged a terrified Justin.

Rosé jumped onto my lap and wrapped her arms around my neck. She beamed as she kicked her legs back and forth. Hyde and Leon mumbled "that's gay." They then high fived each other. KJ, whose arm was wrapped around Taylor, asked if I wanted to watch his fencing match. I didn't get to reply since Rosé and Leon audibly gasped. I furrowed my eyes at Rosé. A shadow then blocked me from the sun. I looked up and gasped at the person in front of me.

"Hello, gorgeous." Skye smirked. "Seems like someone beat me to your embrace." She peered at Rosé's arms around my neck.

I looked past her and saw the crowd scowling at me. So it was her who had everyone's attention. They were clearly jealous that I was receiving her attention, now. Well, I don't want it! You guys can have her back!

"I-I thought you left." I stuttered out.

"You know her?!" My friends asked in shock.

"Yes." She answered with a smile.

"We met briefly... like very briefly." I corrected.

"I wouldn't say a brief meeting would result in a personal invite to a formula 1 Grand Prix." My friends were dumbfounded since I may have omitted that part when discussing my travels to Nice. "I'd like to get to know you better."

"Umm..." My eyes darted around, trying to find at least one McAllister sister.

"If you're looking for Alicia, don't." I snapped my attention back to her. "I have her blessing to court you."

"What?" I somehow got out.

"What?!" My friends asked.

"WHAT?!" The crowd of students yelled.

"Let's get to know each other... somewhere far better than school." She clutched my hand and dragged me up, causing Rosé to fall onto the grass. I sympathetically glanced at Rosé, who was staring daggers at Skye. "Where's somewhere Ali hasn't taken you?" I felt anger consume me as she called Alicia by her nickname. "Well..." She pressed.

"Uh, the bodega." I just said something to shut her up.

I then yanked my hand free. She smirked at my actions and led me to a Lamborghini. I'm not surprised she's flashy. She opened my door, so I thanked her. She then walked over to the driver seat and roared the engine to life. We then drove in silence, except for her Spotify playlist. I hate to admit it, but her musical taste is good.