Bad Boy's Secret

THE KING'S GAME II

I was dressed in a oversized light pink off shoulder cardigan with ripped denim jeans and my lace up ankle boots. My grandmother was sitting at the head of the dining table, while my mom sat at her right hand, and my dad's sister, Julia and her husband, Mike and at the other and my cousins, Astrid who doesn't like me very much and the twins Boyce and Royce.

"So tell me about your new school Zara" My grandmother said drinking from her wine glass.

"Well I'm a scholarship student..."

"Ah a scholarship student, Astrid could certainly learn a thing or two from you" My grandmother said looking over at Astrid who had her head down, "Continue dear."

"Um...It's not that big of a deal."

"Are you kidding? You go to Riverdale, the best school in the country, surely you are mistaken" Royce said drinking from her orange juice while I just shrugged looking at Astrid who was playing around with her food.

"So Grace tell us about your job" Grandma said taking a bite out of her potato.

"Mom" Aunt Julia groaned.

"No need to act like you care about me Madgalene, you know I got fired" Mom said calling my grandmother by her name cutting her food with too much force.

It's always like this every dinner party we have at our house, Grandma finding ways to provoke my mom and my mom drowning her sorrows in a bottle of wine.

"Grandma, so how's your health?" I asked in a way to divert her attention away from mom.

"As you can see I'm alive and well thank you very much dear" Grandma said shooting me a smile, "By the way Grace" Oh no, here we go, "How do you expect to pay for the things in this house, the rents, food, Zara's needs?"

"By getting another job"

"With what CV?" Grandma asked with a chuckle, "Weren't you a college dropout?"

"Mom!" Julia and Mike shouted at the same time.

"Don't mom me, I mean it's true, I'm simply looking out for my granddaughter" Grandma said innocently, "And besides my poor son isn't here to help you anymore and he'd be disappointed in how you've raised his da...."

"Okay that's enough" I said slamming my hand at the table causing everyone to look at me, "What is wrong with you?" I asked looking at my grandma, "My mom has tried to be the perfect daughter in law for you, she gave up her dreams for your son and me but no you try to find fault in every single thing she does."

"Zara that's enough" Mom said rubbing her temples.

"No, no it isn't, I'm so sick of it all, them thinking they are all better than us when they aren't" I said with venom looking at the people I call family.

"I suggest you mind your tone young lady" Grandma said looking at me at the rim of her wine glass.

"And you mind the way you talk to my mother."

"Very well then" My grandmother said with a smile, "I will let it slide for today but mind you when we get to South Africa there will be no more forgiving, there will be a lot of time to straighten that attitude of yours out."

South Africa? "What...what are you talking about?"

"Madgalene" Mom said rubbing her temples again.

"Oh, I see you haven't told her" Grandma said with a smile on her face.

"Told me what?" I asked getting tensed.

"You my dear are coming with me to South Africa to finish your studies."

Uppity granny say what now? "This is a joke right? Mom say something" I said looking over at mom who was looking at me with pity.

"Oh she can't, she thought it was a grand idea" Grandma said swirling her wine in her glass.

"Mom?" I looked at my mom willing her to say something but she wouldn't even look at my face, "Sorry to disappoint you all but I can't go."

"It's not up for discussion sweetheart."

"I've got a scholarship."

"You don't need one, I'm capable."

"Geez quit being a whiny b***h and just go" Astrid said rolling her eyes.

"Astrid!" Aunty Julia yelled.

"Whatever, look I'm not going to argue with you anymore, I'm not going" I said with determination putting my fork down, "Whatever stupid feud you've got with my mom take it up with her not with me I'm not going to put my life here on hold just because of it, I've got a wonderful mom who is a better parent than any of you here can be" I said erupting a loud gasp from everyone but I ignored them and continued, "I've got a scholarship I worked hard for and friends which you" I said turning to face Astrid, "Wouldn't happen to know anything about even if it whacked you in the face and now if you will excuse me I've had enough BS for one day to stay at a pointless dinner where y'all throw shades at my family, I've got a game to attend" I said pushing my chair backwards and dropping my napkin on the table.

"ZARA AKILA MCALL" My grandmother yelled her face going red.

"Don't wait up for me Ma, love you" I said to my mom who smiled at me through watery tears.

"How dare she..." I slammed the door at the commotion going inside the house and brought out my phone to shoot a quick text to Cassidy telling her I'm coming to the game.

I hailed a cab and told him the address. After a few minutes later who pulled up to the school. I got out and went to the school field where the match has already started. I saw Cassidy waving at me. Smiling I made my way over to her and Trevor who gave me a peck on my cheek when I sat down.

"You made it!" Trevor yelled.

"You okay?" Cassidy asked taking her sit.

"Yeah never been better" I said with a sigh.

"You look good by the way, like really really good" Cassidy said playing with my hair.

"Thanks but I was actually thinking of going for the twin braids."

"Over my dead body!" Trevor yelled while we burst out laughing.

It was halftime already and Serena and her team of cheerleaders came outside to do their thing, leaping in the air and doing little dances with their skirts that barely covered their buttoms causing the crowd going wild.

"Yup, I think I'm scarred for life" Trevor groaned beside us while I patted his back.

Devenford prep was winning, only by two points and I could see our coach yelling at the boys. I looked around them searching for a mean arrogant ocean blue eyed devil and I found him, looking tall and dangerous on the field, a look of determination edge on his face. As if sensing my gaze on his face, he raised his head up and stared at me long and hard, I don't know what's with him but everything around me seems to be still as we stared at each other, lost in our own little world. The referee blowing the whistle severed the connection between us and I watched as he put his helmet back on and ran to the field.

"Okay what was that?" Cassidy asked staring at me.

"What was what?"

"Nah uh girl don't do that, you know damn well what we asking" Trevor said rolling his eyes, "I mean Raze was practically claiming you with his eyes."

"Okay that wasn't even what happened" I scoffed in disbelief.

"Well then what was it?" Cassidy asked eagerly.

"To be honest, I don't know either" Which was the truth, anything going on with Raze I don't know. It's like he hates me but at the same time I can't help but feel maybe he doesn't, it's like he's trying to protect me, I don't know I think it's all part of his game and I have a feeling I'm losing before even starting.

I watched as he ran across the field, playing with more determination. I cheered loudly when he scored a touch down.

"GO TIGERS!" We yelled waving our pompoms in the air.

We were still cheering when a commotion happened on the field. Raze punched Jared! Oh my God! I watched in horror as he continued punching Jared repeatedly till he was pulled off by his teammates.

"Um, what's happening?" I asked no one in particular as we all watched the drama.

Raze was later benched for the rest of the game and Jared was taken to the nurse's office. The game continued with Brody taking over and he scored a touch down too. That's it, the game was over. We won!

The crowd went wild and people hugged each other and we all yelled repeatedly. I looked around and saw genuine happiness on people's faces, no discrimination, no elites, no purebloods, just people with common interest, football and for the first time in my life, I feel like I truly belong.

I was standing by the bleachers while Trevor and Cassidy greeted some of their friends.

"Hey yo, Zee, we going to a party you in?" Trevor called running towards me.

"Yeah sure" I said while they let out a loud whoop and we all rushed to the car.

The party was at Brody's house and man, it was huge! Servers were walking up and down serving drinks not caring if we were legal or not.

"Three shots of vodka, please" Cassidy said to the bartender who nodded his head.

"Actually water for me, thank you" I said to him and he handed me a bottle of water.

"Well then more for me" Trevor said as he downed the two shots while I stared at him in disbelief, he going to have one hell of a hangover tomorrow, that one.

"Come on guys, let's go dance" Cassidy said getting up.

"Um I don't know about that" I said looking at the dance floor where Serena was wrapping herself around Raze like a boa constrictor, though she's got some moves.

"b***h please, We going dancing and this is the one time you get to be yourself and besides she won't do anything" Trevor said nodding towards Raze who looked like he was having the time of his place, note the sarcasm.

Taking a deep breath I agreed and my friends wasted no time on dragging me to the dance floor. Immediately we got to the dance floor the DJ started playing 'Simmer' by Mahalia ft Burna Boy. Oh yeah, that's my jam. I got rid of my cardigan and was left in my nude tank top.

We started dancing, first Trevor and Cassidy danced closed to me but I soon got comfortable and I started, dancing on my own without any care. I forgot about everything, my mom, my grandma, school, Raze, everything and I just let go of everything and when it got to Burna's part I buss some moves, I'm from Africa after all.

"Oh my God!" Cassidy squealed and came to hug me when the song ended.

"Well damn girl, I would have said you were high on something if I didn't know you don't drink" Trevor said while I laughed.

I looked around only to see everyone was clapping and smiling at me. I even caught Brody smiling at me, oh wait a minute, he's not staring at me, he's staring at Cassidy! Brody has a crush on Cassidy!

"Looks like you've got an admirer" I nodded my head towards where Brody was still looking at Cassidy.

"What?" Cassidy breathed and turned around to face Brody. Flipping her hair, she left and went to the direction of the bar leaving me alone.

I turned to face Brody who Jenna was clinging on to and kissing his neck while he squeezed her butt. So much for an admirer. I flipped him the bird when he caught me looking and I left to go look for Cassidy.

See the thing about big houses is that it comes with stairs, not like I've got anything against them but at this point I wish they had thought of putting a f*****g elevator in the house instead of stairs. I had to push through many people, open doors and see things I shouldn't just to look for Cassidy.

"Oh my God so sor..Trevor?" I called when I opened the door.

Trevor removed the face from whom he was kissing, Reed!

"Zara, I..."

Without waiting for an explanation I closed the door and continued my search for Cassidy.

"Hiya" Gregory my lab partner from biology stood in front of me.

Cassidy where the f**k are you! "Hey" I said nervously peering down the dimly lit hallway, f**k this isn't good.

"Nice dance moves" He commented moving close to me and I could smell the alcohol in his breath, oh no!

"Wanna dance with me?" He asked playing with the button on my trouser as he moved in closer.

"Um someone's waiting for me downstairs" I said while he let out a laugh.

"Too bad" Gregory said looking up and before I knew what was happening he gave me a slap that sent me reeling backwards to the floor.

Gregory then stood above me with a needle in one hand, oh my God NO!

"No, no, please" I pleaded and moved backwards where I collided with a pair of legs. I looked up to see a guy with a beanie over his head, "Save me, please" I said grabbing on to his legs.

"Not bad Greg, she's hot!" The guy said while Gregory let out a snicker, oh my God!

"I know right, now hold her down Jude" Gregory said while I screamed and squirmed as Jude held me down.

"You promised to f**k me and good girls don't go back on their promises now do they?" Gregory asked with a sinister smile as he held up the needle and shot it in my neck.

"NO!" I screamed as I thrashed.

"Shut up b***h!" Greg said as he punched me in the face.

So this is it, this is what will become of me. I'm going to be r***d, every girls worst nightmare, I should have stayed home, I should have gone to South Africa with grandma. I should have listened to them. I muse as I felt my head go foggy and my body go numb.

Someone please save me. I could feel hands tearing at my tank top and then a rip. They tore it open, "Damn she has some nice sets on her" Jude snickered.

I waited for hands to start touching me but it never came. All I could hear was some loud commotion, it was so loud I wanted them to f*****g stop.

"YOU f*****g BASTARDS!" I heard people screaming and I think there was a fight going on.

I let out a moan as I tried to help myself up but failed, "Raze, go to her we will take care of this." I heard Brody say and wait, Raze?

"Oh my God, Zara!" I heard Cassidy yell and damn it was too loud. I let out a weak moan of protest.

"Raze, she needs you!" Brody said again, hold on who needs who now?

I could feel hands trying to cover me up and I let out a moan when his hand grazed my breast.

"Hmmmmm, more" I slurred grabbing onto the hands.

"Awww f**k baby" Raze? "The f**k did you bastards give her?" Raze yelled angrily causing me to moan in protest.

"f*****g Ecs man" Ryan said peering down at me, "s**t's bad" He said shaking his head.

What are they saying? "ZARA!" Cassidy yelled again and can someone please shut her up!

"Brody take care of this, I'm taking her home" Raze commanded and Brody started chasing everyone outside of his house, party was over and I could hear Cassidy wailing in the distance.

Someone grabbed me again and I let out a scream and thrashed against him, "Shhh Baby, it's just me" He shushed and peered down at me, ocean blue eyes!

"Raze?" I called out just to be sure

"Yeah, I'm here baby, I'm here" He said as he helped me into sitting position.

"Help...Help me" I said and that was all I remember before everything went back.

****

My head hurts, my mouth hurts, literally every part of my body hurts! What happened last night? The way my body hurts you'd think I wrestled with Sasha Banks in Wrestle mania. I opened my eyes and stared at the white ceiling. Groaning, I tried to stand up only to find an arm draped over me.

Oh no! What...what happened last night? Taking a deep breath I turned to face my roommate and I stopped breathing at the Adonis beside me. Tousled black hair and long eyelashes with red sinful lips. Raze!

Reaching up I cupped his jaw in my hands. He looked so peaceful and more human. I was still rubbing his cheeks when he woke up. For a minute he said nothing and we both stared at each other, my hand still on his cheek.

"Thought the s**t would have worn of by now" He said in a deep voice.

What s**t? Suddenly memories from last night came hitting me at full force, The dance floor, Brody, Cassidy, Trevor and Reed, Gregory. Oh my God Gregory and Jude!

"I see you remembered" Reed said putting on a black T shirt over his head.

"You saved me?" I said staring up at him.

"I sent your clothes to the dry cleaner cause you puked on it" He said and with that he left the room.

I looked around the room. Black curtains were on the wall, everything was in black and white, plain no decorations, except for a portrait frame of a full mull in the night hanging on the bed. His shelf was neatly arranged. Trophies, a football, a JBL and a desk clock.

I went out of his room to see him setting two plates of sandwich and pouring orange juice inside two glass cups.

Without saying anything I sat down on the chair and quietly picked up the sandwich, inspecting it because Raze being nice to me, well let's just say I'm not trusting him for all I know he spiked it.

Letting out a groan, Raze grabbed my sandwich from me and took a bite and c****d his brows up as if to say, "there." Satisfied with it I took a bite out of the sandwich and looked around the house.

"Nice house" I said through mouthfuls of sandwich.

I got nothing from Raze just him pushing two pills of Advil towards me, "Meet me outside" He said and took what looks like a car key and left me alone. Looks like someone's eager to kick me out of their house.

I finished my food then use the drugs and went out of the house where I met Raze inside his Car, a vintage I think, cause I don't know much about cars. I got inside and we drove off in silence to my house. He parked in the driveway in front of my house and I removed my seatbelt and was about to get out when I remembered something.

"Thank you" I said earnestly and stared at him, to tell him I was deeply grateful. Feeling bold, I reached up, cup his jaw and pecked him on his cheek then got of the car before he could say anything.

I got inside the house and checked the window in time to see him pulling out of my driveway.

"And where do you think you are coming from young lady?" Great, just the person I was hoping to avoid, my grandmother!

"And dressed like that? What is that you are putting on?" She looked at the white printed tee shirt Raze had given me.

"Looks like lil Zara here had on heck of a night out considering the car that dropped her off and the way she looks this morning, oof" My b***h of a cousin Astrid said coming inside and staring me down, what were they still doing here weren't they supposed to be at a hotel or something?

"I can't deal with y'all right now, so I'm just going to head to my room" I said and marched up the stairs.

"Zara! Zara!" My grandmother yelled and she might as well have been yelling at a wall cause I'm not listening to her, "You are grounded young lady!" Oh no! (Note the sarcasm).

I opened the door to my room only to see most of Astrid s**t on my bed, oh no y'all have got to be kidding me! Grabbing all her things, including a black rope that is supposed to be a pant apparently.

Ugh! Remind me to sanitize my hands. I threw it out in the corridor and slammed the door and locked it.

"You b***h!" Astrid yelled hitting the door and yelling profanities at me which made me smile in victory.

I flopped down on the bed where I turned on my phone and zillions of messages poured through my phone and millions of voice mails mostly from Cassidy. I clicked on it.

"Zara! Please tell me you are okay, I'm so sorry" She sobbed into the phone, "Call me as soon as you wake up okay?" She said.

I played the second one, "Zara I'm literally freaking out right now, Brody says you are fine but I call it BS anyway, you were lying there on the floor and...and you weren't moving and oh my Godl" She sobbed and the call got disconnected. I listened to the rest which were like the first asking if I'm okay and sobbing, poor Cassidy, she must blame herself right now.

I went through the messages which were from Cassidy and there was one from Trevor.

Trevor: We need to talk

Oh yeah, I had mostly forgotten about it, Trevor and Reed! I'm not mad or anything just surprised considering the way Trevor hates Reed, oh well, there must be an explanation. Taking my time I replied all the messages then charged my phone.

Man, last night was crazy, crazy and terrifying, I could have been r***d! Oh my God the realization of what could have happened to me sunk in. But luckily for me Raze stepped in to help me. Raze, I will never figure him out. The mysterious guy who wants nothing to do with me yet saves me when I need help. I don't know what he's playing at, he hates me and stares at me like I'm some bird poop he stepped on with his new pair of Jordans and at the same time he looks at me differently, I could remember the scared look on his face last night.

What is your game Raze Winchester? I mused as I lay down on the bed and stared at the ceiling, I was still remembering the events that happened, Raze sleeping beside me, cooking me breakfast and driving me home...wait home! I never told Raze my home address!