The Royal Crush

12

The next day at school, Dylan came up to me while I was rummaging through my locker. The moment we saw each other, we burst out laughing.

"Alexa... George..." I laughed.

"I had no idea it would be this hard to hold my composure," Dylan said, laughing.

"I know right! They- oh shit here comes George," I said. Dylan grabbed my hand, interlacing our fingers. I smiled up at him.

George cleared his throat.

"Hi George!" I said enthusiastically.

"You seem very... happy," George noted.

"What reason is there to be unhappy?" I said, smiling at Dylan. He smiled back at me.

"Oh... I see..." George said awkwardly.

"So, how was our surprise yesterday?" Dylan asked him.

"It was very, er, surprising. Are you sure you're not hiding anything?" George asked.

"No, why do you keep asking that?" I asked innocently. George shrugged. Just then, Caleb walked up to us.

"George, where have been mahn?"

"Out of town," George said.

"Coach was furious you went AWOL," Caleb said and then he saw me. "Chloe, hey-" he stopped when his eyes fell on my hand in Dylan's. I quickly pulled my hand away.

"Um, I better get going," Caleb said quickly and walked away.

"I'm gonna go see coach," George said and went the other way. I sighed and leaned against my locker.

"This is why we shouldn't do this at school," I muttered.

"I'm sorry. I didn't see your crush coming," Dylan said.

"Oh please, I do not have a crush on him."

"Oh please, you do."

"Do not."

"How long are you gonna deny your heart?"

"I can't, okay? I just can't fall for Caleb. I can't!"

"And why is that?" Dylan said as the bell rang and we walked to class.

"Because- because he's a heartbreaker. And I just cannot afford to be broken."

"Why do you think he's gonna break you? He likes you."

I scoffed. "Please, who are you kidding? Caleb Eaton? Likes me? No fucking way."

"Fine then. Stay blind."

"I have to stop this. I can't catch feelings. I must somehow distract myself from him," I mumbled to myself. Dylan shook his head, discouraged.

◯◯◯

I took a deep breath. You can do this. You can.

I got out of the car and walked to the front door. It was almost night right now. I didn't want to come home so I'd hung out at Vivi's and Cedric's. There were a ton of missed calls from mother in my phone. I sighed and entered home.

I quickly passed the hall to the stairs and almost made it. Almost.

"Chloe Victoria Everett!" Mother shouted. I sighed and turned around to see all of them standing fully dressed.