My ear screeching alarm wakes me up. As an attempt to calm down I grab the warm spot on my bed seeing as Adrianna was nowhere to be seen.
I looked around, her clothing and bag were nowhere to be found. I walked over to the balcony seeing her silhouette by her closet, my body relieved to see that she was okay.
I slept so soundly. When the hell did, she sneak out of bed? I laugh to myself, walking over to the bathroom, taking a shower, and getting dressed. I look over to my nightstand picking up my phone when I notice her ring.
Her purity ring, I remembered her saying that she would never willingly give it to me.
But it was mine. Technically, she was mine.
Adrianna Cassian is fucking mine, and this ring on my nightstand proved it to me.
I picked up my phone, looking for her number with a huge smile, I fell back on my bed once again.
I’ve never been so eager to talk to someone. I felt like I was going ballistic, but it was true.
I wonder if she felt the same. I didn’t want to expect her to feel the same about me, not that I never knew what I was feeling.
Good morning beautiful 😉
This comes with a good morning text?
You don’t think I’m a monster, do you?
Of course, I do!
Pick me up?
READ 7:11 A.M.
Be there in a few.
I smile, from ear to ear I run out of my room into Amelia’s who was packing up her bag, “You have a necklace chain?” I smile at her while sitting on her bed.
“Why?”
“None of your business.”
“Then no. I don’t.” She sneers at me.
I laugh, “I know you have one Amelia.” I look around her room, my
eyes narrowing to her jewelry box. “Don’t you dare touch that!”
“You owe me.” I say plainly as she rolls her eyes.
“Your fear of butterflies was something that she should’ve known from the start.”
I gave her a look that made him move over to her jewelry box, “You want gold or silver?” She asked as I smiled, thinking of Adrianna’s golden skin.
“Gold.”
She pulls one away from her drawers full of jewelry. I roll my eyes, “You have about a thousand chains. Why did you feel the need to act like you only had three?”
“Because I think it’s funny.” She winks at me before I walk out of her room. Before I shut the door she runs towards me, “When can I go and see Finn?”
I smile, “You down to see him after the game? I can ask Adrianna to pick you up.”
She nods, “Okay, because I made him a drawing. I hadn’t seen him in school much so maybe he might need someone to cheer him up!”
I kneel down to hug her, messing her hair up just a bit before she pulls away, “You didn’t have to do that.” She pushes me.
I laugh. “Then don’t waste my time, next time.” She scowls. “See you tonight!”
“Have a great day at school, darling.” I kissed her forehead, then picked up my keys and headed out. I started my car, backed out of the driveway, and parked on the side of her driveway. I walked to the front of her house, but before I could ring the doorbell, the door swung open, revealing Adrianna’s father standing in the doorway.
“You will not be taking my daughter to school,” he said, glaring at me.
“Did she say that?” I asked politely, but he brushed my question aside as if it were insignificant.
“No.”
“With all due respect, sir, that’s not your decision to make.”
“She’s my daughter, and I’m telling you to stay away from her.”
I chuckled softly, glancing back at my car. “I think she can make that decision herself.”
“No, she doesn’t know what’s right for her. She came home at three last night, and I’m guessing you were the reason.”
He stepped closer. “I want you to know that while I might not be able to stop her from dating you, I will certainly try.”
I smiled politely, though my anger was bubbling up inside me. “Disrespectfully, Mr. Cassian, you haven’t been around Adrianna enough to know what’s best for her. You don’t care about your daughter, but I assure you, I do.”
His face hardened, which was slightly intimidating. I smiled at the figure behind him as Adrianna descended the stairs.
Even in uniforms, she never failed to amaze everyone at school. She looked beautiful.
Despite her father’s disapproval, Adrianna gave me a warm look.
“Good morning!” she said, rushing past her father into my arms.
“Morning, Dove.” I winked, while her father’s eyes burned with anger and disapproval.
“Come home at a reasonable hour,” he demanded.
Adrianna seemed about to respond but chose not to. “No, I’m good.”
I had been so wrong about her. I was wrong about everything, really. I didn’t know anything about her.
She was the first person I’d ever had such mixed emotions for. I had observed her from a distance but had misjudged her constantly.
From when she’d sneak out just to feed the stray animals in the neighborhood, I’d shake my head at why anyone would take time out of their day to help. But when she read outside, the cats would come over and keep her company.
She was like an exiled princess in a castle, and I treated her as such.
But she was more than just a pretty face. She was more precious than anything the universe could offer.
I shook myself back to reality as I walked her to my car. Her face fell. “I’m so sorry about my dad,” she muttered.
I smiled. “Now that I have you, no one is coming between us.”
Adrianna smiled, looking content—at least, I hoped so. I was never good at reading her emotions, but for now, we were happy just being together.
“Game today?” she asked as I laughed and drove away from her house on the way to school.
“You actually planning on coming willingly?” I smirked.
She nudged me playfully. “Nothing or no one will come between me and your game. I wouldn’t want you to send someone to the emergency room again.”
My jaw tightened. “Oh?”
She stopped, looking surprised. “Did I hit a nerve?”
I laughed. “Trust me, it depends on how the guys on the ice talk about you. I’ll keep defending your name, even when you’re not there.”
I glanced at Adrianna, who had a warm smile. My body tensed as she moved closer, her hand on mine. “Does this mean no bodyguard will be following me?” she asked.
“Debatable subject.”
“Not debatable!” She exclaimed. “I paid him five hundred dollars because he helped me with Brooks…”
I paused, slightly irritated. “What did Brooks do?” I sounded protective. I didn’t mean to imply I’d pound his face if I saw him.
“It doesn’t matter.”
I didn’t want to pry, though I could easily take it up with Brooks. Adrianna would never agree with that, given she thought I always resorted to violence.
I didn’t want to talk to a brick wall. How did she even date him? He had about two personalities. Sure, he was a ladies’ man, but there was nothing special about him.
Frankly, I was a bit insulted that she dated him. Brooks and I were different. I was rich, and he was a commoner. God forbid his family asked my parents for loans.
He was a mediocre football player, while I was one of the best hockey players in the state. The stats showed it. Yes, I could learn modesty, but I preferred when others knew I was better than them.
I sighed, letting it go. As I turned by the school, I caught her gaze. “How do you feel, after…”
Adrianna’s eyes widened. “I’m sore.” She looked down, her face turning red. I parked in my spot; we were a bit early.
I unbuckled my seatbelt, looking at her. “Did you enjoy it?” I asked.
Never before had I asked a girl if she enjoyed my skills or if the experience was good. Girls usually just texted me if they wanted to see me again, but Adrianna was different.
“I want you right now.” She pulled my collar towards herself, gently kissing my lips. I cupped her cheek as her hand tangled in my collar, her eyes widening.
Her face turned even redder. “Oh my god, Grayson, that’s my purity ring.”
I smirked. “I wouldn’t call it a ring anymore.”
I referred to the way it was dangling from my neck like a necklace. “You gave it to me, right?”
I meant it literally and figuratively. She laughed. “Yes, I gave it to you to keep.” I interrupted her. “And this is me keeping it.”
I took her hand and kissed it. Her gaze turned to the large university. “This is such leverage,” she laughed.
I tilted my head. “What do you mean?”
“You were my first. I don’t have my virginity anymore.” She sighed. “I’m nothing special to you.”
“You’re my girlfriend,” I said, and she looked at me seriously.
“You don’t mean that.” She scoffed.
“Of course, I do. I want to keep seeing you.”
“What makes you think I want to see you more than I already do?” She scowled.
I smirked. “Well, you don’t have a choice. You’re technically still fake dating me, so you can either accept it or fight it. But I’m warning you, Dove.” I looked at her seriously. “You’ll fall.”
Adrianna shook her head. “I don’t like the word falling for us.” She grinned. “More like dragging.”
I laughed. “Like dragging each other?”
Adrianna leaned in and kissed me again. “I mean, even when we fight, we’ll keep dragging each other into love.”
I kissed her, and she kissed me back passionately. I couldn’t get enough of her, her smells, her soft skin drove made me absolutely crazy.
The bell had rung which pulled her warm body away from mine, I groaned sadly, “Come on Prince, a day of school is awaiting.”
She hops out of the car as I yawn, “I’m too tired to go to anywhere where you aren’t all over me.” He groans.
Adrianna shot me a look that could kill a dragon, I let my brows furrow rethinking my optimism about going to campus, “We still have time before our classes, I can meet you by the pit.”
Looking pleased, she walks away, and I couldn’t help but bend my neck over to walk her up the stairs, she looks back at me as I smile, yelling her name, “Dove!”
She looks back with her face concerned, I throw her my jacket, as she shows a broad smile, “My last name looks good on you!” I yell as she looks at my last name imprinted on the back of the jacket, she put over herself.
ADRIANNA
My face warmed as I ran up the stairs to my first class, checking in, I walked
directly over to the snake pit, Margo, Verina, and Juliette sat with empty looks on their faces.
“Good morning!” I smiled as they gave me a look, “What’s that
look for?”
“You are to blame for our hangovers.” Verina mutters.
I laugh, “You did that to yourselves, I didn’t do anything.”
Well, I did something, but they would soon find out, “Where did you even go?” Juliette yawns.
I look behind me as Grayson and his whole team walking up, “I was occupied.”
“Occupied?” Margo’s eyes narrow to mine.
She takes a look at my hand, seeing that my purity ring was no longer there, her face sunk with surprise.
“Oh my god!” She ran up to me, scooping me around, “Where is it?” She pats down Grayson’s jacket, brushing over the fact that it was Grayson’s jacket.
“You didn’t.” Verina’s face drops as does Juliette’s, “Who’s the lucky guy?”
I roll my eyes, “That’s what I wanted to tell you guys—” Margo interrupts me, “Is this Prince’s jacket?”
I tried to speak again before Grayson and his friends were near our group. I roll my eyes, “Yo Margo, don’t crowd her.” Grayson sits on top of the table pulling me to sit on his lap.
I could feel his hands, gently on my waist, setting my whole body on fire. I wanted to melt on him.
“That’s what I wanted to tell you guys.” I muttered again.
Liam’s face drops, “Is that Adrianna’s ring?” I lift my hands, giving up as Grayson laughs at my irritation.
I look back at him with a scowl, “You want to test me too?”
His face turns serious looking at everyone else, “We have news.”
Chris runs up from behind Liam, “I think I missed a chapter or two.” Juliette decides to add on, “We’ve all missed a chapter or two.” Margo grins, “I didn’t.”
I groan, “We have news!” I raised my voice as everyone went quiet, even people around us started growing annoyed, “News isn’t for you, dip shits.” I announce as Grayson laughs.
He bends down next to my ear, whispering, “I almost forgot how tyrannical you are at school.” I turn to face him again, “Out of everyone here, I hope to God you don’t think I will not flip my shit on you.”
Grayson put his hands up in surrender as I rolled my eyes yet again, “Yes, Grayson and I slept together.”
I outright said as everyone beamed.
“Yes, Adrianna and I will keep sleeping together.” He adds on. I shoot a look behind me, “Not if you keep this up.”
“Are you guys dating, like actually dating?”
I waited for Grayson to answer but he didn’t say anything, I shot him another look back, “Well?”
“You literally yelled at me about three times because I kept answering now when I don’t answer I get yelled at too?”
I smile at him, “Welcome to a relationship, Prince.”
“Wait so you two are in a relationship, like actually?” Verina jumps at the thought.
I sigh, “Well yes, we are.”
“We are what you call boyfriend and girlfriend.” Grayson adds. I laugh, “Great job, babe.”
“Babe?!” Liam gags, “This is our downfall, you two were each other’s nemesis!”
Margo adds, “Are you telling me you two won’t argue anymore?”
Neil laughs hysterically, “Now that they are dating, their arguments will skyrocket.”
I could agree with that thought point of course, Grayson and I weren’t who we were without our arguments.
“Personally, I saw this coming.” Liam points out.
Everyone stares at him with a cutthroat expression. “Great job, Einstein.”
Margo smiles, “Whenever we find ourselves in these types of conversations, I get reminded that God does have a sense of humor.”
Liam flips Margo off as I laugh, “Oh, Margo, you just bring me so much joy when you leave my presence.” Liam rebottles.
“I would slap you, but then I remembered that shit splatters!” Margo fires back as Liam gives her a look that could freeze hell.
“I often wonder what life would be like if you hadn’t received enough oxygen during birth.” Liam pulls down his middle finger as Margo scowls
at him, viciously.
“Good thing you know what a middle finger is, you’re the reason God fucking made it.” Margo seethes as Liam’s eyes narrowed.
I felt like they had gone on forever, but they didn’t. Grayson and I found it very entertaining to say the least.
“Can you two please stop? I think I’m losing my will to live just listening to you two go back and forth.” Grayson mutters as everyone’s head turns toward us.
“You’re the one to talk, you and Adrianna never shut the hell up!” “That’s not true!” I defended as they clawed us like birds that were
begging for food.
Maybe, it was true, but Grayson and I were just wired that way and obviously now things are different. I mean we don’t need to hate everything that the other does. We could just breathe and relax.
Grayson kissed my head, “Speaking of the game, could you maybe pick up Amelia after school and let her sit with you at the rink, Dove?”
I smile, “Of course.” I look around to Liam and Margo sending each other murderous looks.
“Margo, you want to come?” I ask as they both break eye contact looking at me.
“No, Ben and I are going out.”
I smile at Verina and Juliette, “Yes, I can come but I’m studying for the final.” Juliette points out, I nod.
“V?”
She doesn’t hide her excitement, “Of course, Chris mind me coming?
Chris frowns, “Uh, you can do whatever you want. Finn will be there; he’s been having problems with math, so I need to help him during water breaks.”
I never really questioned Chris’s personal family life, not that I ever needed to, or even think it was necessary. He was a person that no one could read in just under five seconds, he’s been going through many things.
Verina’s face drops as she takes a step closer, “Do you need her?” She offers as he smirks.
“Nothing you guys could help with I don’t even remember the shit he’s learning.” He scratches the back of his neck.
“Oh okay.” She sheepishly smiles as I thinned my lips, “I’m sure Juliette could help!”
I bump her by the shoulder as she jolts up, “I can?” “Yes, of course you can, you love math.”
“I do?” She questions.
Verina shoots up, “I can help, I promise I’ll work really well.” She beams, “I love math!”
We all claim the silence and embrace it, “You do?” The bell rings.
Grayson starts to get up walking over to his class, “I’ll see you later.” He winks as my face heats, bending down to kiss my cheek.
I watch as Grayson and his friends pull away from us, they all had Psychology before all of us, Margo runs up to me, her face beaming. “So how was the sex?”
Verina runs up as well as Juliette, “Yeah. Was it good? Is he good? Or did you enjoy it?”
I roll my eyes, “We are not about to talk about this on college property.” I mutter as they roll their eyes in synchronization.
“I think that you enjoyed it. You have the sex glow.” Verina jumps up beside me.
I smile, “Yes, of course I enjoyed it. He was perfect in bed; the rumors are true.”
Thinking about the idea of Grayson and another girl in bed gives me an urge to throw up, but him being sexually active was known across the university.
Many girls like Kylie, Hannah, Madison, and Lizzy walked up to us, their eyes glazing and burning like they had a reason to be upset with me.
“Kylie.” I addressed.
“Adrianna.” She counters.
“Margo.” Hannah makes notice as Margo smiles with a scornful look. “Hannah.”
“Liz.” Verina throws a glare at her as she nods back, “Verina.”
Juliette flips off Madison as she ignores her, “Heard you got laid.” Kylie interrupts as my face changes.
“Where did you hear that?” Margo walks up closer to Kylie as she backs away, “It’s a universal knowledge that your purity ring is no longer on your finger.”
I smile, “Glad to know you have eyes.”
Hannah walks up to me, her breath smelling like onions, I gag.
“We are just here to let you know that Kylie has called dibs on Grayson since freshman year. You do not get to have him.”
I smiled at them, determining whether I wanted to resort to violence like Grayson would, but I decided against it. I wanted to stuff Hannah’s face down a garbage shoot. But of course, I didn’t.
“Are you in fifth grade?” Verina asked sincerely.
I laughed, “Grayson isn’t a damn object, and he can pick who he wants.”
Kylie smiles, “He’ll pick me.”
I stand, my heels clicking on the marble floors of the expensive school, “Let me tell you something sweetheart…” I say with conviction while walking up to her, “You can try and flirt with my boyfriend, but your parents are on the brink of bankruptcy. Trust me, I’m not the one you want to mess with if you still want to keep affording to come here.”
Kylie’s face morphed to a murderous gaze, “You two aren’t dating.”
I laugh, “Oh we aren’t?” I look around, “Well when you see him, ask about my purity ring that’s hanging around his neck, you won’t like the response babe.”
Kylie’s hand shot up, slightly grazing my cheek before I caught it, “You crazy bitch.” I whispered before pushing her hand away from me, her body falling on the floor.
“You look angry.” I ask as Margo and Verina follow behind me, Lizzy and Hannah helping Kylie out as I yawn from boredom.
“You fucking pushed me!”
I let my eyebrows furrow, “You are fully aware that you had just tried to slap my face.”
“You tempted me!” She pointed at me as I gave her a look.
“You can stay away from Grayson, because you calling dibs doesn’t matter much now does it?” I tilt my head as she brushes off the dirt that was all over her white buttoned up shirt.
I walked up to her, pulling out a handkerchief and throwing it at her.
It had never occurred to me that the sudden uprising of the women that threw themselves to Grayson on a daily basis was out for my blood. They had every right to be upset, of course, since I never willingly thought about hooking up with Grayson and it becoming a permanent thing.
It wasn’t a permanent thing, so other girls could of course still have a chance and I can watch the show from above. Since, I’ve been informed
that committing suicide brings you straight to hell.
I was prepared to go to hell. I was prepared for everything I could just not to feel the ache in my body whenever I hadn’t taken a Xanax.
My body shook like it was ready to break down My hands stilled like I couldn’t move, and my brain felt like it was being pushed together by my skull changing size.
Instead of spiraling, I paused. I took a breath and went on with my day as eyes stared at me.
Being a Cassian meant that you always have eyes on you, but what shocked me to the core is the fact that sometimes, people’s eyes are on you because they admire you and not because they pray for your downfall.
I love it when I defeat and conquer battles. Just because I’m weak internally doesn’t mean I have to be on the outside.
