Chapter 8

• KATHERINE THRONES
• This was not how I had imagined my day going: running into Alexander Xander Walter, an absolute nightmare and the last person I ever wanted to run into at school.
• I locked my gaze on his retreating back, just moments after he declared me his toy in front of his friends. I didn’t say anything because no matter what I said to him, he would say something to refute it.
• Was this how my peaceful life was going to end in a single day because I had bumped into him?
• I’m not going to be one of those girls on his list. It will never happen!
• My attention was drawn to the buzzing of my phone. I checked it, and as soon as I saw Katie’s name, I remembered that I was supposed to have a test. It was 7:30 a.m. already. I cursed aloud and dashed back toward the class, this time taking care not to collide with anyone.
• When I arrived at the class, there was no lecturer in sight, and nothing on the board indicated that the test had taken place.
• I exhaled a sigh of relief and looked around the room for Katie. I smiled as I found her in the far corner of the class, her phone in her hand, probably typing a message threatening to end my life if I didn’t get to class soon.
• I’m not sure what I’d do without her in my life.
• I approached her and took the empty seat beside her. She looked up, startled, and when she saw it was me, she gave me a scary glare.
• “Where have you been? You are one lucky girl! What would you have done if you had missed the test?” Katie was angry.
• I felt terrible, but I had a genuine explanation. “I‘m sorry Katie. I didn’t really mean to arrive so late, but something came up. You know better than anyone that I don’t take my grades and schoolwork lightly.”
• “Yes, I do. That’s why it’s puzzling that you arrived late even after I informed you that we were having a test.”
• “I know, and I apologize. Something really came up. So where is Mrs. Camilia?“ I asked about the lecturer.
• “Well, she got a call after she came to class to tell us about the test. She got off the phone, told us the test had been rescheduled, and then ran out of class; I guess something happened. Mr. Tim will take over as of tomorrow.”
• “Do you think something happened to her family?” Mrs. Camilia rarely missed class, so this was unexpected to say the least.
• “I’m not sure. I hope not, because she’s a better lecturer than Mr. Tim. Enough of that, please tell me what kept you so late!” Katie locked her gaze on me.
• “Um, I spent the weekend with my dad and was on my way back when you call-“
• “I’m aware of that!” Katie cut me off. “You called me like 30 minutes ago that you were in school, so what happened since then?”
• “What happened was Alexander Xander Walter!” My voice was very loud, and I watched in terror as several pairs of eyes turned around to look at me.
• He had that kind of influence at school; even if you didn’t recognize his face, you knew his name.
• Everyone wanted to be his friend or at the very least be close to him. Most of the girls, and some of the guys, fantasized about dating or sleeping with him. I believe more than half of the students were obsessed with him, with only a few exceptions like myself.
• “Do you have to yell like that?! Do you want his fan club to come after you?” Katie asked, and I shook my head. “I’m going to ask another question; please try to keep your voice down: What happened between you two?”
• Just as I was about to tell her, the lecturer for the next class walked in. It was for the best; telling her away from prying eyes was preferable.
• The bell for lunch rang. One of my favorite aspects of the school was the free lunch. I didn’t have to pay for food. Even though now that I had Dad’s black card, spending money wouldn’t be an issue—I just had to get used to not being poor.
• Katie had been called to the office by a lecturer, so I would be eating lunch alone.
• Then I reminded myself that Alexander had declared me his toy, and I needed to be extra cautious around school now. That alone made me nervous.
• The only consolation I had was that I wouldn’t have to see him again until tomorrow. He never ate in the cafeteria and he wasn’t in any of the classes I had today. Apart from the morning encounter, I was certain I wouldn’t see him again.
• As I walked to the cafeteria, I did a little happy dance. I was going to eat peacefully.
• My heart skipped a beat as I walked to my favorite spot after taking my food. He was right there!
• The tray of food in my hand almost fell to the ground, but Alexander quickly caught it.
• “I’ll add clumsy to the list of qualities in you that intrigue me. I did warn you that you’d be seeing a lot of me.” He winked at me and set the tray down on the table.
• “What do you want from me? I told you I wasn’t interested. You are aware that I have the right to sue you for sexual harassment.”
• My warning had no effect on him; instead, he laughed as if I had said something amusing. “I suppose being locked up by you isn’t a bad thing.” He winked at me again. “You are welcome to pay me a visit if you miss me. What do you think, Katherine?“
• “I think you’re insane. Why don‘t you just leave me alone? I’m sure there are a lot of girls who would love to be your toy; go mess with one of them.”
• “Exactly! There are a lot, but-“
• “Why don’t you just pick one of them and leave me alone?” I was almost yelling, but he was so annoying.
• “It’s boring.” He said it matter-of-factly.
• “What?”
• “I said it was boring. I‘m tired of easy. I don’t want robots; I want someone more challenging, which happens to be you. I want you, and that isn’t a request.” He declared as if I were something to be claimed.
• "I'm not something you can simply clai-"
• I stopped and watched as he climbed onto the table and cleared his throat, attracting the attention of everyone in the cafeteria.
• "Attention everyone, starting today, this lady over here," he stretched his hand towards me. I was pushed closer to him by his friend, and before I could react, Alexander grabbed my hand, "is mine. No one is allowed to go near her. If you have any problem with that, take it up with me.”
• He jumped off the table and walked out of the hall, leaving me under the scrutiny of the students.
• I stood motionless, stunned.
• With that announcement, he made me a target. My days of peace and quiet at school were over. What would become of me?