Crux Year

Chapter Two - Shay

The first thing I see is the last thing I want to see. Him. Royal Ever with his deeply intelligent amber eyes that are all too aware for someone who seems as though he cares about nothing.

His stare is an intrusion. A violation inside of me. I don't like that with one long stare he cuts his way deep into me, crawling around the dark crevices as he hunts for my secrets and vulnerabilities.

Ever is not welcome.

Not ever.

"Is he okay?" someone asks from behind me. Nicky. Oh, God. It's Nicky.

Humiliation burns across my flesh, chasing away my irritation at Royal. Why am I me? Why do I have to overthink everything and unravel like this at the worst possible times?

"He'll be fine." Royal—whose large hands are gripping my biceps—leans closer, suffocating me with his summery scent. "Right, Shay?"

I want to crawl into a hole and die.

Alone.

But I'm not alone. I'm the object of everyone's attention and Royal freaking Evers is touching me. Knowing he must have caught me before I blacked out sends a chill racing down my spine. I tremble and the frown on Royal's handsome face deepens. If I had the strength to overpower him, I would wrench out of his hold.

All I can do is stare at him.

I'm trapped in his grip and don't even have the will to fight him.

"Get him to the nurse," Mr. Preston barks out. "The assignment is still due tomorrow."

Royal rolls his eyes, uncaring that he's being seen as disrespectful. My distaste for him skyrockets. This is all his fault. I wouldn't be anxious if it weren't for his taunting.

"I can take him," Nicky offers. "I really don't mind—"

"No." Royal's one word sends the entire classroom into shocked silence.

I finally manage to pluck myself from his unyielding hold, scowling at him in the process. Ignoring him completely, I stand on wobbly legs, grab my book bag, and shoot Nicky an apologetic smile. The curious looks all around me make my skin buzz. Desperate to scratch at my neck, I hurry out of the classroom. I've barely stepped out the door before I'm raking my nails along the skin of my neck, desperate to find relieve from the creepy-crawly nervous sensation that attacks me worse there.

"Let me take that," Royal grunts out from behind me.

I don't know what that is until he manhandles my book bag out of my arms. With us both standing, I'm forced to crane my neck up to see him since he's practically a giant. From this angle, I'm eye level with his prominent Adam's apple that bulges in a manly way. No one in this entire grade, besides maybe Nicky, is this...masculine. Most everyone is like me—awkward, fumbling, boyish.

Not Royal.

He's the kind of guy who looks like he could hold his own in a fight.

Tearing my eyes from his neck I have no business fixating on, I lick my lips and peer down at my feet. We all wear the same uniforms at Rock City—black shoes, black slacks, and white button-downs—but Royal's seems as if he outgrew it years ago and never bothered to get a bigger size.

Where my shirt swallows my slim frame, the material on his stretches obscenely over his shoulders and biceps. I sneak a glance at him as we walk down the hall. Yep, you can definitely see each curve of each hard-earned muscle.