THE HEIR NEXT TO ME

CHAPTER FIVE

Arabella’s POV

“What is wrong with all these people on the blog these days? Don’t they have a life outside watching the rich?” I mutter, mindlessly scrolling on my phone while munching on a burger in the cafeteria

The noises in the cafeteria, derails my attention

I raise my head up to see what the noise is about.

Lo and behold, it is Status-Climber boy walking into the cafeteria with that Quick curl Blondie

“Hmphh”

“Disgusting” I make a face, going back to my phone, when a message pops up on my feed

A brilliant idea in my head hatches

He wants to climb the social status ladder?

I would just give him just the right push.

I smile deviously, tapping away on my phone and bringing my plan to life

Clude’s POv

Ok, I am officially tired of this.

I agreed to be taken on a tour round school, not to be flaunted like a new piece of furniture

Barbie bombshell is just so lost in her world.

She is literally doing all the talking while I look for the next ground to swallow me up so that I can get rid of her

She drags me into the cafeteria, making a show of describing things in the cafeteria for me.

Yes, I know I am handsome

Who would pass off a 6’3 sleepers build body? Not with my curly dark hair and grey siren eyes

Still, I wanted low key which is why I dressed simply

Things didn’t work out as planned.

On the first day of school, I’m indirectly approached by the School’s Barbie

Once out of the cafeteria, and in a less crowded place, I pull her arm forcing her to stop walking and look at me

“Bar... Ashley, I think we should end this tour today”

“Let’s continue tomorrow. Right now, I feel queasy and need to get some rest” I say, making use of my siren eyes

She melts like jelly and fall on me, weightless.

Immediately I step aside carefully, brushing only the side of my body with her body making it seem like a friendly hug to people outside

She quickly straightens herself up,

“Okay. Tomorrow then” She replies, smiling at me

Unexpectedly, she gives me a peck and walks away, winking at me

This is a going to be a loooong year

I walk to my locker, ready to personalise that tiny space to my taste.

I turn the key in the key hole until the locker door opens

Tons of flowers and letters falls from the cupboard

What?

“Yo man, you got some heavy duties there.”

“You gat all the girls enamoured you know” A guy speaks beside me

I turn to look at him opening the locker beside mine

“Name’s Marcel, You?” He stretches his hand for a shake

“Clyde” I reply accepting the handshake

“Ummm, how did these fanatics know which one is my locker?” I ask, both curious and alarmed

Marcel laughs.

“Clyde, they do not need to know, when they have Barbie”

“You call her Barbie too?” I ask, my eyes twinkling in amusement

“Of course”

“Blue eyed blondie with a boyfriend that looks like he went on the knife, not under— That’s typical Barbie” Marcel replies, causing us to laugh

“Nice you meet you Clyde” Marcel speaks

Just as I am about to reply, I get a notification on my phone, same as almost everyone in the locker room

“Yoo check out the message on the school group” Marcel

I check the school group.

A picture of me and Barbie doll, in a very compromising position.

The caption under it:

“I guess Barbie has gotten herself another Ken. Looks like the first Ken wasn’t fit enough 😝”

I tap the profile of the person who posted it but turns out it is a bot account.

My first day of school.

Riddled with problems.

“Psst, Clyde” I hear a harsh whisper calling my name

I turn, backing my locker and almost hit the person in front of me

A guy stands a few inches shorter than me, staring at me like I stole his prized treasure

“You are... Clyde?” He asks looking at me menacingly

Like I should be scared?

Oh I’m shivering....God save me

“No, I’m Ken” I reply, causing everybody in the locker room to snicker

He walks closer in an attempt to intimidate me.

But I stand my ground looking him in the eye, one eye brow raised in a haughty manner

I ruled the streets

A rich mama’s boy can’t rule me

“Stay away from Ashley” He threatens

“Or else...”

“Come on man” I interrupt, laughing

“She’s just an overpriced doll. I’ve seen better, you can have her” I reply nonchalantly, walking away with Marcel while he is rooted on the spot

I didn’t even get his name.

What a shame, Ken fits him better

A flash of memory comes into my head, causing me to pause.

That nose, the blue grey eyes...

The pendant.

He’s wearing my mother’s pendant!

I turn, half-walking half-running back to the locker room, my mind racing through so many thoughts

My mother died when I was younger, and her necklace went missing

Nobody was there to bury her.

Tears fill my eyes at the memory of a little boy standing in front of his mother’s coffin

Only him, No family, No friends

I reach the locker room panting and taking heaves full of breath.

I scan all the faces there, but I don’t see him

Ken

“Yoo man” Marcel calls me, holding his stomach and breathing hard

I furrow my eye brows in confusion, wondering what he is doing here

“What was that for?”

“You saw a ghost?” He asks

I clench my fist, my legs wobbly about to give in to this volcano of emotions in me

“Not today” I mutter, shutting my eyes to suppress the memories

I am here.

Ken is here too

I have the whole year to find my answer and I will find it

I open my eyes, now cold and devoid of emotions and unclench my fist

“Let’s go” I speak,

I walk ahead, not bothering to look if Marcel is coming with me

Arabella’s POV

I feel queasy

I do not know why, but I do not feel too well

I take my phone to check reactions on the picture I posted.

I smirk in satisfaction at the tons reactions.

The whole school group is blowing at this piece of information

“You want to climb the social ladder?”

“I’ve finally given you that push” I smile, carefully checking to make sure my VPN is on and my IP address is fully hidden

“Hmmm” I hum, swinging back and forth on the swing in the playground, my eyes closed enjoying the cool afternoon breeze in the school’s playground

“Why did you do it?” A deep voice reverberates close to my right ear

I jump from my seat, turning in quick motion to my back

Social climbing b***h stands there smirking.

My heart jumps to my throat seeing him.

Does he know what I did?

“Wwwhhhattarre you you doing here?” I stutter, willing myself to calm down

“What am I doing here?”

“Don’t I have the right to know my stalker?” He smirks, walking closer to me

Oh My God he knows

How?! I took all the precautionary measures

“You really think using a VPN would actually protect you?” He speaks, coming dangerously close to me

I back away, till I hit a wall

He walks closer, trapping me between the wall and him.

My heart beats erratically, butterflies suddenly flapping so much in my belly

I hate him. He is a disgusting social status climber

But why is my body reacting to him?

My skin flushes pink at his statement

“I am not your stalker” I reply trying to sound irritated even though my body says other wise

“Feisty aye” He speaks, his gaze fixed on me, till I’m unable to avoid his eyes

My breathe hitches, as I drink in his gaze

Something tugs in my memory.

My head hurts badly, the whole world starts spinning

“Arabella? Arabella?” I hear voices on the background calling my name

But it’s growing distant until I can hear it no more, and all I see is black