Dani looks at me like I’m from another planet, which would be correct—I am.
“Of course, they have soccer here—it’s the biggest sport on the planet and the Regency Gladiators are the best high school soccer team in the country. Raph is the star striker and captain of the team.
“And the part about him being the most powerful Seraph—you’ll see in elements class. We all have powers, the Dynasty heirs strongest of them all, but Raph’s power is something else. The guy has never been beaten in a duel.”
I cover my face with my hands and groan. Perfect. Not only does this guy hate me, he can probably also snap me in half without even breaking a sweat.
“Too bad he’s the biggest jackass to ever grace the face of the universe,” I mutter.
“I’m guessing you’ve met him then?”
“Yeah, unfortunately. He spoke to me at this stupid presentation ceremony a couple of nights ago.”
“Wait—he spoke to you?” she looks shocked, and I roll my eyes in response.
“Yeah, but trust me, I wish he hadn’t.”
“What did he say?”
“Nothing much—it went something along the lines of I’m not welcome here, and I should stay out of his way.”
“What the hell?” Dani hisses.
“I know. He’s a real charmer,” I say dryly.
“No, I mean like what the hell—Raph doesn’t speak to people outside his circle, and he sure as hell doesn’t speak to outcasts.”
“Urgh, will you stop with this social hierarchy bull already. It’s making me want to throw up my lunch. Besides, the only reason I’ve been marked as an outcast in the first place, is because of that asshole.”
“No wonder Layla laid into you in calculus this morning,” Dani says. I grimace at the memory.
“Layla and Raph have been dating since they were like—in kindergarten or maybe even before that. I think they’ve basically been betrothed since birth.”
I remember how Layla had curled her arm around Raph’s at the ceremony, and the memory makes my stomach churn.
“Good for them. An asshole King and a bitch Queen ruling over their kingdom of mindless followers. A match made in heaven Although Layla might want to keep an eye on her man, because he’s clearly not keeping his hands to himself,” I add, as I observe Raph’s hand reaching around one of the girls plastered to him and cupping her almost bare ass.
“Yeah, Raph isn’t exactly Mr. Faithful, but Layla is hardly the princess of purity either. Raph and Layla are always breaking up and getting back together—one week they’re on, the next they’re off. It’s like this epic love story. I’m guessing they’re in one of their off periods.”
Speaking of the she-devil, Layla emerges from one of the side buildings and is stalking towards the patio where Raph and his groupies are standing. Her eyes are narrowed, furious.
I watch the sequence of events unfolding like a soap opera, playing out right in front of my very own eyes.
“Oh, no, here comes Layla. Girl fight,” Dani mutters. I notice that other people in the cafeteria are also now looking out at the patio.
First, the girls look up to see Layla approaching, and they look like they might try to stand their ground. But they’re clearly terrified, or at least visibly intimidated by the authoritative and much more menacing girl. So, I watch with interest as they scurry away like little white mice.
Layla is in front of Raph now. He’s looking at her sardonically, like a cat visibly displeased that the creatures it had been toying with have been taken away. But instead of yelling at him, Layla leans in, pressing her body close against his, whispering something in his ear. She’s stroking his cheek sensually. I feel an odd tightening in my stomach.
Raph appears utterly disinterested. He’s saying something to Layla now, his expression cold, dismissive. Whatever it is, makes her storm off in an apparent rage. I realize then that she’s heading towards the patio doors and that she’ll pass our table when she steps through. But I don’t let myself look away.
She glares at me as she storms past, but thankfully, she doesn’t stop. I don’t think I’ll be able to handle any more of her bitchiness today without punching her in the mouth.
A second later, Raph walks through the patio doors and I do drop my gaze then. Because the last thing I need is for him to notice me and start threatening me again. This time in front of the entire school.
He does notice me, though. All eyes turn to him as he passes, but I can feel his eyes on me. Dani was talking, but falls silent as Raph passes.
I let out a breath I hadn’t been aware I was holding, when I see his back in the corner of my eye.
Dani and I eat in silence for a few minutes until she starts whispering furiously at me.
“Holy shit. I have no idea why, but Raph was like full on staring at you when he passed our table, and he’s still staring.”
I can feel my hackles rising.
I flash a casual glance over my shoulder and indeed find that those vivid blue eyes are locked onto me. His expression is as closed off as ever, and I can almost feel the arctic wind blowing from his direction.
“It’s a stare of death—he’s probably trying to kill me with his eyes.”
Dani chuckles, but she eyes me thoughtfully. I shift in my seat uncomfortably.
I throw another glance at Raph’s table, which is at the center of the cafeteria. It doesn’t take a genius to work out that it’s the popular table. All of the Dynasty heirs are sitting at the table—Keller and Ivy sitting on either side of Layla, Baron and Lance sitting next to Raph. They’re surrounded by other students who are clearly the crème de la crème of Regency—perfect hair, perfect make-up, expensive shoes. They scream wealth and privilege. Students at neighboring tables are looking longingly at that central table, as if begging for an invite, or as if to catch even a few words of conversation. It’s pathetic.
“That’s Baron Aldebran,” Dani says, looking over at the dark-haired guy who would probably be the most gorgeous guy in Regency, if it wasn’t for Raph.
“Midfielder on the soccer team. He’s Raph’s wingman and an even bigger player than Raph, if that’s possible. Or maybe they’re equal. Either way, all the girls here want a piece of that and I think he’s slept his way through most of them here—or at least the ones worth doing.”