The Prince of Royalty (PREVIOUSLY ROYALTY HAS ITS PERKS; UNDER MAJOR EDITING)

19

The next week of school was... something. I was late to multiple classes because of Dean dragging me off to a janitor's closet or an empty classroom. I was pretty sure every teacher knew what I'd been doing, too, because walking into class with swollen lips and hair that Dean's fingers had been running through relentlessly wasn't exactly discreet.

When the last bell of the day rung, Dean and I packed up and started on a walk back towards the Palace. Bobby was tutoring Connor, Milo was at an extra practice and Ingrid was taking photos to replicate for his art class, so I wasn't worried about them questioning me. I still hadn't found a way to tell them that I was dating Dean. They'd be so confused and have so many questions, and I wasn't sure I'd be able to answer all of them.

It was when we made it into the building that my eyes landed on Kyle. Instinctively reaching for Dean's hand, he locked his fingers with mine, looking down at me.

"What's wrong?" I nodded towards Kyle. He turned, his hand tightening in mine.

"Don't acknowledge him. Just walk past." He nodded stiffly and we kept walking.

"You two finally got together? Took you long enough." I glared at him.

"That's really none of your business," I snapped, and Dean sighed.

"So much for not acknowledging him," he grumbled. I slipped my hand out of his, only to stand in front of him protectively.

"So it's true? You guys are together?" I opened my mouth to tell him to fuck off but Dean spoke before I could.

"Yes. We are." Kyle's face changed, to one more disappointed.

"Oh." I quirked an eyebrow as he looked me over, like he was sizing me up.

"Do you have a problem with that?" He shrugged.

"Just that it's ironic that he chose someone so... similar to me, is all." He's trying to get to me..

"Shut the fuck up, Kyle," Dean growled. I was rendered speechless; I didn't want his words to bother me, but they were.

"What? I mean, I know when we were together you said that you'd never get over me, but this... this is just—"

"You have approximately three seconds to get away from us before I make you wish you hadn't said anything at all." Just as I said that, Alex turned the corner. Dean scoffed behind me.

"Great." Kyle turned and smirked, and Alex neared us.

"What's going on?" He asked warily, directing the question at Kyle.

"Your friend and my ex are a thing now." Alex didn't look surprised — why would he? — as he sighed.

"Let's go, Kyle." Kyle scoffed.

"Yeah, Kyle. Listen to your boyfriend and go." Dean's words seemed to piss the both of them off.

"Bitter much?" Kyle retorted.

"What's there to be bitter about? Getting rid of a shitty friend, or an even shittier boyfriend?" Alex seemed hurt by my words; Kyle looked annoyed.

"Johnny—"

"Don't, Alex." He looked away, seeming at though he was about to leave when Kyle spoke again.

"Don't be surprised when Dean leaves you because you're not half the boyfriend I was." My fingers twitched. "Oh, and..." He leaned closer to me. "...if he calls out my name at night, don't take it personally." That was it. He'd barely gotten out his last word when I swung, meeting his jaw with my fist. He let out a cry of pain and I glared at him. Alex stared with wide eyes, and Dean had his arm wrapped around my waist securely so I couldn't do any more.