Royal Heritage Academy {R•H•A}✓

CHAPTER 21 - 11 pages

"Damien"

The name left her lips absently. His cologne was all her mind could focus on.

Lauretta laid in bed twiddling with her pen while her notebook laid abandoned beside her head.
Her head was clogged up with thoughts of him.

"Damn, what am I doing..." She remembered making fun of Arike when she was lovesick.
*What a life*
"Huff... I can't read, or sleep, or think about anything else."

Creak

The door opened revealing a tired looking Courtney. She had a bright smile on her face.

"Hey Laurie! It's been a while." She greeted, and Lauretta sat up immediately.

"Yeah... how're you doing now?"

"Oh I'm fine now. Hugh fixed me up again." She beamed.

"Oh." Lauretta gulped before shifting to create room for Courtney.

"I guess you saw what I can be like sometimes.. I'm sorry I didn't tell you."

"You used to be mentally challenged too, right?"

Courtney's eyes glanced sharply at Lauretta. The bubbly facade shattered. "How do you know that?"

"How wouldn't I? I mean everyone knows. I also know about your little past with Elvis."

Courtney deflated. "Yes, I may have been the cause of Elvis's dementia, I wanted him to love me!" Her tears spilled without bounds, sobs racked her body as she continued. "But, something just had to go wrong. I was a wallflower, no one knew me, just one of the hundreds if not thousands or millions of girls crushing on Elvis. When I befriended Janessa, it was jackpot. I used his horrible parents and his soft heart as well as Janessa's love for him to get him for myself.
I'm so selfish but I don't regret it. I feel bad that Miles had to be jailed and that lady had to die but... having Elvis all over me was the greatest feeling, being kissed by him was much more heavenly. I'd do it again and again! That's why I hate myself so much! Elvis was a freaking walking green flag, how the f*ck was I supposed to resist?"

"You could resist. I understand there are many reasons as to why you wound up like that but you can still be better. Someone else could love you, you're pretty. Forget Elvis, he's a dementia who is after your life."

"No! I can't! I just can't!"

"What are you saying? Come on!"

With voices raised and the air getting thick, Courtney snapped and threw a school bag at the window, the glass shattered and the bag flew out.

"Shut the hell up! You're here having the best of both worlds! I've seen how Elvis looks at you, with longing and restraint! He wants you but he knows it's not possible. And then, Damien. It's clear as day, he's in love if not obsessed and crazy about you."

"What? I know that I and Damien have developed some level of attraction bu–"

"Ha!" Courtney chortled with a bitter smile, "Damien? That guy knows nothing but the little man between his legs! I'll tell you this much, he knows his stuff."

Lauretta's eyes went wide and she froze on the spot, her eyes watered a bit, but she quickly swept her tears away.
Courtney realized she went too far and began to cry herself.

"I'm sorry Lauretta! I, I didn't mean to get you so-"

"Pfft, haha." Lauretta laughed softly before replying with a smile. "It's not like I didn't know how he is. I was probably getting in over my head anyway. Thanks for the reality check."

Courtney could see it was a lie and she was hurting. She bit her lips and looked away from her. "I'm so horrible. And they keep saving me from Elvis. I should just die already."

"Courtney..."

"No... I can't find it in me to leave him. I want to leave him but brain's just like on autopilot when he's around... I don't know how to stop not staying away... It's almost as if I'm programmed to go for him." Courtney slumped on the bed and closed her eyes for a minute then popped one eye open, a smile on her face. "I'm beat! G'night Laurie."

[Knock knock]

"Yes, who is it?" Lauretta replied.

'It's Damien.'

"Um, what do you want?"

'Oh, I er, wanted to talk to you and —'

"I don't want to talk to you right now."

'I... But I really need to see you right now.'

"I really don't want to talk you please!"

'Well, ouch. But I've got a letter from home for you. Won't you come out and get it?'

"No, slide it under please."

'... okay...'

"Psst!" Courtney called out. "You stupid girl, go meet the poor guy! As far as I know, he hasn't had a fling in months. Now go."

A small smile befell her face before she dashed out of the room. "Damien! Wait."

"You came out."

"Yeah, I was a bit busy with something."

"Did you pick up the letter?"

"Huh?"

+++++

"So, classes are over. What do you want to talk about?" Lauretta asked, walking ahead of Damien to go sit on one of the swings near the recreation center.

"Happy birthday."

Her head whipped around so fast it hurt. "Huh?"

"Your... birthday? If I'm not mistaken. And I was pretty sure that letter was to wish you." He scratched his head, offering a cute smile.

"My birthday..." She burst out laughing. "I completely forgot, my word..."

"It's alright. I've got some things for you."

"Oh, and what is it?"

"What are they, you mean. And for now, let's just start off with something tasty."

He led her into the recreation center's veranda which had a set table with deliciously peppered beef and jerky. On the side was chopped cabbage, lettuce, red, yellow and green peppers and some tomatoes. There were also skewer sticks placed by the side. The aroma reminded her of home.

"Suya..." She said to herself.

"Yes, I hear that's what it's called back where you're from. Famous in the north too."

"You did your homework this time huh." She teased, taking the seat Damien pulled out for her.

"Yes, I did. Though I didn't think this would impress you so easily."

"Don't worry, I'm not impressed. I'm simply being... appreciative."

"As you say. Let's finish this up quickly so I can show you the others."

"I can't wait." She smiled sweetly before putting the meat and veggies on the skewer.

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Sorry for the wait! Just getting ready for university! Yes, I'm gonna start by September/October 😁😄🙌🎉
Anywho. Good news. Daily updates. 😌
Sorry this is short 😅🥲

1000+ words.