Kingsley Academy

Chapter 6

The next day, the tension between me and Kade is still palpable, and it seems like everyone is waiting for the next blow to land. Even in class, I can feel eyes on me, on him, like we're the stars of some ongoing drama that everyone is desperate to see play out.

I sit in the back of the classroom, flipping through the pages of my notebook, trying to look bored and disinterested. But when Kade strolls in, late as usual, the energy in the room shifts. He walks like he owns the place, taking his seat near the window without even glancing in my direction.

But I know he's aware of me. He always is.

The teacher, Mr. Clarke, starts lecturing about some nonsense—something about leadership styles in history, probably trying to relate it to our privileged, messed-up lives. I'm half-listening, tuning him out while I pretend to take notes. But then, out of nowhere, Kade's voice cuts through the room.

"Yeah, well, that's one way to look at it," Kade says, his voice casual, but loud enough to draw attention. "But real leaders don't rely on manipulation to get what they want. They earn respect."

I feel the eyes of the class shift from him to me. It's subtle, but the jab is obvious. I straighten in my seat, refusing to let him have the last word.

"Respect?" I scoff, rolling my eyes. "Sure, Kade. That must be why everyone here falls in line for you—because of all the respect they have for you. Not fear or, I don't know, the fact that your dad owns the school or anything."

A few of the students around us glance nervously at Kade, waiting to see how he'll respond. His jaw tightens slightly, but that ever-present smirk appears on his lips.

"Respect and fear aren't mutually exclusive," Kade says smoothly, his dark eyes glinting as they meet mine. "But what would you know about that, princess? You've been here all of five minutes, and you think you've figured out how things work?"

I sit up straighter, narrowing my eyes. "Five minutes was all it took to see through the whole act, Kade. You might fool everyone else into thinking you're in control, but I know better."

He leans back in his chair, looking completely unbothered, like this is all a game to him. "You don't know anything about me."

"Oh, I know enough," I snap, raising my chin slightly. "Enough to know that you're not nearly as untouchable as you like to think."

Kade's smirk falters for a brief second, and I know I've hit a nerve. But he recovers quickly, his eyes darkening with amusement as he leans forward, resting his elbows on the desk.

"Keep telling yourself that, Allison. But last I checked, you're the one who's scrambling to stay on top. Me?" He shrugs. "I've been here long enough to know how the game is played."

I narrow my eyes, refusing to back down. "And how long do you think you'll stay on top once people start seeing the cracks?"

Kade chuckles softly, his voice low. "Cracks? You think anyone cares about cracks, princess? This place runs on power, and right now, you're just a temporary distraction."

Before I can respond, Mr. Clarke clears his throat, clearly irritated that the two of us are derailing his lesson.

"Enough, both of you," he says, his voice sharp. "This is not a debate class. If you can't keep your personal issues out of my lecture, I'll ask you to leave."

The class is silent, the tension thick in the air. Kade leans back again, giving me one last look before turning his attention to the front of the room. But the message is clear—this isn't over.

I grit my teeth, forcing myself to stay calm. Kade might think he's still in control, but he's wrong. 

After the tension-filled class, the energy on campus shifts as students gather outside for a charity event. Someone thought it would be a good idea to bring an ice cream truck to Kingsley Academy, and now the courtyard is buzzing with activity. It's supposed to be fun—a lighthearted break from the usual grind.