Prologue
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Birthright; a right of possession or privilege fated by birth. In my case, family name is a big deal too. You throw it around carelessly, and realise how different people act around you after that.
You get the feeling that you’re special, exceptional. It provides satisfaction that only lasts until you snap out of it, and you look down at yourself and see the hideous person you’ve become. The way it makes you treat and think about others.
Sufficed to say, I’ve learnt my lesson.
I stare at the piece of paper in front of me, the words, “Ten things I’ve reflected on today:” scribbled in dark ink.
I let out a heavy sigh as the sound of metal chairs screech against the polished tiles filled the classroom. After glancing at the clock on the wall, 4:30pm.
And another day of my dull, repetitive summer goes by.
I grab my bag and the piece of paper from the desk, heading for the door. I think about it on the way, and decide to crumple and toss the paper into the waste basket.
On the way, I walked past the empty cafeteria, and couldn’t help but walk in, since the door was wide open.
The door on the on the other side leads to the front gates anyways. I’ll just take a peak.
Echoes of my black victorian heels clicking against the polished tiles was the only sound I could hear.
It’s way too fucking creepy in broad daylight considering how large the entire canteen was. To think it was only three weeks ago that I-
“Admiring the scenery?” a deep voice from behind chuckled.
I didn’t jump, but instead, whipped around to face him. His tall figure was leaning against the doors, arms crossed across his chest.
“Are you following me now?” I sigh, I really didn’t want to deal with this today.
His eyes continued to be fixed on mine, like we were in some kind of really really intense staring contest.
Wait, why am I playing his stupid game?
“What do you want, Cage?” I broke the silence, impatient and eager to know why Manhattan’s infamous fuck boy was following me.
I notice how the light peaking through the curtains behind me made the honey colour of his eyes lighter. He smirked, “Still on the last-name basis aren’t we?”
I rolled my eyes. Cocky.
Unamusing as the situation was, this painfully attractive bastard had the audacity to laugh. I’m so over this.
“I’m leaving, this is stupid.”
I started to walk away but I felt his strong grip tighten around my wrist.
“Oh come on Ashe, don’t be like that,” I caught his eyes and my breath hitched in my throat.
What the fuck, Brie. Breathe.
Sighing, I turned to him. I had to crane my neck to look at his face and I hated how small he made me feel.
His hands loosened its grip on me and I shook off a weird feeling. Did I like his hands on mine?
“I wanted to uh,” he cleared his throat,” ask you, if you’d like to-”
He looked nervous. He runs his hand through his dark curly hair, “Fuck it. Would you be my date to the Debutante Brunch?”
I blinked. Did I overdose on sleeping pills last night? My therapist warned me that it would cause hallucinations-
“Ashe?”
Is he serious?
“No. I’m not going to that stupid brunch, especially as your date. No way.”
I huffed, why would he want me as his date? Didn’t he have a little black book of contacts to ask out?
He sighed, “Please? I really need a decent date for this brunch.”
I folded my arms. “Pleading? Really, Cage? That’s very classy of you,” I scoffed, “Besides, we’ve already had our own little Debutante moment, we’re too old for this.”
“Are you done? C’mon, I promise, I’ll owe you one.”
“Cage-”
He grabbed my wrist again, this time, gentler. That’s the third time today, what the fuck is happening?
“Okay, okay. How about, we show up, stay for half an hour and then leave? I’ll take you to that place you’ve been begging your mom to let you go? Pretty please?” He batted his eyes at me.
He might have been pulling puppy dog eyes on me and it might have been working.
“I have been dying to go..” I sighed,” But how do you know that?”
I narrowed my eyes at him. Oh, that’s shady af.
“I have my ways,” He straightened up, beaming.
I dropped my hands. I guess it’s not an entirely bad deal.
He stepped closer and hugged me. “Yes! Thanks, Ashe, I owe you!”
I was still reeling as I watched him wave and walk out.
Did Jaimeson freaking Cage just hug me?
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