Emperor of Destruction [EDITING]

ii.

AUTUMN

I wanted to kill my guidance counselor for putting Gym as my second period. Some people may be athletic and energized in the morning, but those people weren't me. I've never thought I'd say this, but I'd rather be in a science classroom listening to a boring lecture taught by a professor who talks at the speed of a snail than run at 10 am in the fucking morning.

The brunette strands of my hair were tied into a high ponytail. I'm dressed in a red shirt with Darlington written at the front next to a lion-crested symbol and black shorts. Thankfully, it wasn't that hot.

After running three laps in a row, I was dehydrated and felt like my body was going to give in to exhaustion and collapse at any given moment, so I ran to the benches, taking a sip of water from my bottle.

Elaine, a petite little thing, and my classmate appeared next to me, drinking large gulps of water. I scanned my surroundings with my attentive eyes, locking my stare on the two girls that I recognized. They were a part of that group, the one under the tree from earlier. The three girls that crowded them must be their minions.

I nudged the redhead with my elbow. "Why aren't they participating?"

Elaine's eyes followed me, widening when she realized who I was referring to. "That's Mia Scuderi and Amorét Richélieu. The it girls of Darlington Prep." She said in a matter-of-fact tone. "They don't need to run. Have you seen their bodies?

Eye roll. "Why not?"

Elaine turned to look at me as if I suddenly grew three heads. I knew I didn't, but checked anyway to be a hundred percent certain. "Are you a country bumpkin or something? How do you not know them?" My shoulders shrugged. I've never really Immersed myself in TV and ideal gossip, maybe that has something to do with it.

Elaine scoffed, this time she was the one to roll her eyes. "Mia's father is like, super mega rich. Her mother is a well-renowned socialite, and She owns a multi-million-dollar jewelry company. She's also engaged to Silas Westbrook. Ugh, to have her life."

"Amorét Richélieu's father is a part of the Parliament and her Mother is a famous actress The Scuderi's and Richelieu's go way back which makes sense as to why their daughters are the best of friends. Their families are old money."

Engaged? Does she know her fiancé was getting a blowjob in a closet on the same campus she goes to? I couldn't imagine ever being engaged to someone like that. I didn't even want to get married, I would much rather stay single. I can't do hookups because I would eventually end up getting attached to the bone, and honestly, I can't deal with more baggage.

My break is cut short when Coach Kelly yells at us to run. The urge to kick a ball at her head grows stronger and stronger with each passing minute I look at her face. I took one more sip, running back to the track where Coach made us run two more laps. I seriously think she's trying to kill us.

My pace slows down when I notice a class of boys make their way to the field, circling out. At this point, I'm walking instead of jogging. I watched as some boys threw a football at each other for the fun of it, and others walked with their friends, their coach—a man, obviously, followed behind, yelling orders at them.

His loud, strong voice reminded me of Stephan, which I hated. I hated the fact I was still scared of her after all these years. I thought it would be different now that I'm miles away from him, but turns out nothing has changed.

Suddenly all those times he would scream at me in public started to rush in like a flood. From birthday parties to events I was forced to attend.

I shake the unpleasant thoughts out of my system and speed up my pace.