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On the way home from the Third District, he took a detour and we ended up at the Rhivers mansion. All I really want is to go home.
“Hi.” A male voice makes me jump and I lose my balance, one hand falling in the fountain to stop my whole body from following it.
The person responsible, a young boy around my age, curses, then jumps forward to steady my balance, pulling me up and away from the water.
“Thank you,” I whisper, averting my eyes to look down at the ground.
“Uhh, you okay?” he questions, dipping his head, trying to get a better look at me.
“Yeah, I’m fine,” I reply, trying to be brave, but a small quiver in my voice gives me away.
Truth is, I’ve never really spoken to anyone my own age, apart from Emerson, who is still a few years older than me.
“I’m King,” he says, standing tall.
My eyes lock on him as I connect the dots.King?Carlo Rhivers’ son? His eyes are a deep forest green and his smile is just as unruly as his wavy hair, a dark brown mess atop his head.
“King,” I repeat like an echo, suddenly feeling a lot like Tarzan meeting Jane for the first time. Internally, I’m faceplanting to the ground.
“Yes, that’s my name.”
“I know who you are,” I say quickly, trying to redeem myself.
He smirks and raises one eyebrow.
“Is that so?” He winks. My cheeks heat and I can feel the rosy tint exposing my embarrassment.
“Everyone knows who you are.” I shrug, acting nonchalant. He chuckles and it makes my heart beat faster. He seems taken aback by his sudden outburst and coughs to regain himself.
“And who am I talking to?” he asks, cocking his head to one side.
“Theo.” I smile, not wanting to tell him my last name. He’s King Rhivers, while I am not important in the slightest.
“Theo,” he mimics, like I did to him earlier.
King places his hand on his chest.
“King.” He then extends his arm and places his hand gently on my shoulder. “Theo.” He winks again.
I laugh out loud at his Tarzan impression, slightly embarrassed he thought the same thing as me, but strangely relaxed and comfortable around him. King sits on the edge of the fountain where I was only moments ago and sighs. Feeling brave, I sit down next to him, my arm ever so slightly close to his.
“What’s wrong?” I ask. I don’t expect him to tell me anything, but there’s no harm in asking.
“What isn’t?” he says back with a shrug. I turn my head and study his face, starting with those dark green eyes and ending on his soft pink lips. I’m not sure how long I was staring before King breaks the silence.
“Like what you see, Theo?” he teases, his tongue peeking out slightly to lick his bottom lip. My breath catches and I’m caught off guard, not knowing how to respond.
My cheeks heat up again?I’ll be as red as a tomato before I leave.
He laughs again, this time letting it relax his features, and he nudges my arm with his.
“Relax, Theo. You don’t have to say anything. Your blush is giving it all away.” With that, my cheeks go redder and King bursts out into laughter. Real laughter. I like seeing him like this, but it was my ego that was paying the price for it.
Without a second thought, I playfully push him, with every intention of him ending up in the water behind us. King, completely caught off guard, falls backwards with a huge splash in the shallow water. This time, I laugh uncontrollably as he sits there, soaked to the bone. At first, I can’t decide if he’s mad. The ghost of his smile remains while he considers what to do.
“I suppose I deserved that.” He chuckles and makes his way to standing.
“I’d offer to help you out, but I know how that goes,” I say through my laughter, not stupid enough to fall for that one.
