Checkmate

The Knight

Seeing the shock on my opponent's face was the first normal peoples' expression I have seen him wear, even if he quickly hid it. His eyes remained shocked. I did just dethrone the undisputed champ, I broke his record. While he was mentally replaying each move I stood up and walked to the lift door that clearly said exit. Liam was right behind me. The lift had no floors just a B and a G. I guess it was the emergency exit since the trash exit didn't apply to us. Liam and I were silent until we made it to the ground floor. As we walked out the entire school was waiting, welcoming me with claps and praise. It was my second day here and I was already making history. I looked at Liam and asked, "How did the entire school find out so quickly?" He softly answered, "All Faust challenges are live broadcasts on the Faust channel."

I was flabbergasted, within minutes my cellphone got notifications. My following Influgram skyrocketed to 800 000. Finally realizing the gravity of the situation I began to feel exposed by a spotlight for everyone to see. I wasn't ready for it, not after everything I had to go through.

I assumed the golden question on everyone's brain was how did I do it. Well, long story short my grandpa used to be a pro chess player. He disappeared from the big leagues after he lost his first wife. Grandpa taught me all there is to know and I must say I am almost as good as he is. I thought Daniel would be better than Grandpa but my grandpa has never been beaten and apparently Dethroned Daniel wasn't the best, he just hadn't met his match yet. The best part about this win was he never saw me coming, I'm a Knight after all. 

The following week school was buzzing, I went from a total nobody to the girl who dethroned the baddest boy in school. The fame can be addictive so I asked Liam to keep me in check if I started getting a big head though, I planned to get back into a school routine so I could live a normal life again. But now I guess life happened. Liam was my biggest fan and I think I even earned Hailey's respect.

It was hard moving around without being noticed to make things worse Faust started sitting with me and my friends. To be more specific, Maddox and Tyson. But I figure it was just to get info on how I beat their leader. To top things off my following is now on 2.8 million which has my cellphone blowing up from different brands that want to partner with me to promote their products. My grandpa asked me to take my time before making big discissions.

After school, I walk home only to find Daniel waiting for me, he has been doing this ever since the new week started. "I'm fine I don't need a ride home," I tell him. He smirks and says "That's okay, I decided to walk you home." "So now that the chocolates, the jewelry, and the fancy car can't buy my attention you resort to this?" I ask him. He snorts and says "It's not like you declined the gifts either?" I smile and add "True, but I don't keep them for myself. I give them away to the less privileged." He paused and considered me for a second. "Woooow!!!" confused I ask "wow what?" He dramatically puts his hand on his heart and says "I'm hurt."

I snort and remark "Wow indeed!" as we keep walking he continues to say "Don't mock me." I let a small laugh out and say "I just find it odd that I could hurt someone who thrives at hurting people or should I say.." I air quote "Subjects." He considers me again and smirks. We continue to banter and before I know it I'm at the gate. We come to a stop and I say "We have arrived." He tilts his head then says "Well then, until tomorrow."

I just smile and wave goodbye before I hurry inside. Sitting inside my room I get a text from Maddox. "Hi, I'm outside." Surprisingly Maddox is actually a chilled guy, our assignment is going well, what I didn't get was why he was so angered by Liam and if it wasn't for Daniel I would have been punched by him. I open the door and invite him inside. "Hey!" I say and he returns my greeting. "So where are your grandparents?" He asked. "They went grocery shopping. So let's start." I said. We start working and before I we know it we wrap up our assignment. "Freedom at last!" he remarks. "Wow, sounds like prison break!" He looks at me and then out of the blue says "I'm sorry for punching you, well you know what I mean." Maddox Rothchild apologizing, that must have been difficult for him. I looked at him and saw the sincerity in his eyes. "Apology accepted Maddox...." as if on cue he adds "But...?" I nod and continue "But I would like to know why you dislike Liam so much, you were practically taking out your frustrations on him." He went silent for a moment. "Do you still have your nana's lemonade?" He asked. I nodded and got him a glass. Then sat again. My dad is very traditional and when he caught Knox with Liam in the house making out he lost it. When he tried to beat up Liam Knox intervened and my dad beat him. When Liam came running into my room for help I rushed out to help and found Ryan, my younger brother beaten up to a pulp all because he tried to help Knox. Knox was beaten black and blue and Ryan lost his life. After the incident, my dad said He didn't mean to. He went to jail, came back, and has been under house arrest since. I just lost it when Knox almost got caught again and everything came back." I was silent for a while then held Maddox's hand and said "I'm sorry." He gave me a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. To ease the tension I added, "Well at least I know you are a gentle giant."

He laughed as he read the text he just received. "I have to go get my girl," he said as he stood up. "Oh, Ms. English Lit," I said as I wiggled my eyebrows. "You are so nosey Lily Knight," he remarked. "I'm not judging," I added. "What's there to judge though? I'm almost 18 and she is 22, big deal." He said snorting. "What you do with the pretty teacher is not my business. Let me not keep you from your rendezvous." I added. Maddox laughed so much I felt proud of myself after he got so vulnerable earlier. 

That night I had the same nightmare, I woke up with my grandpa calming me down. What I hated about these dreams is that they felt too real, so real that I felt like I was losing my parents all over again. "You alright pretty flower?" Grandpa asked. "I'm fine," I said. The following day school was not eventful, I spent my day at the library studying. Being an overnight celebrity is a job I did not apply for. As usual, Daniel was waiting for me. We walked together with our usual banter. Daniel stopped suddenly. "What is it?" I asked. He responded, "Would you like to take a detour?" I asked "Detour?" He smiled and said "Ice-cream detour." I considered it for a while and then nodded at him. "Alright." 

As we walked to the ice-cream shop when we got there we decided to have it inside. "Mmmm, this tastes so good," I remarked. "I'm glad you are enjoying it." He said. I took another spoonful and I squinted, clutching my head. "What's wrong?" he asked "Just brain freeze," I answered. "So... are you and Rebecca close?" He considered me for a moment and then said "Not like we used to." I waited to see if he would continue but he didn't. I decided to press on "Why do you blame Liam for your mother leaving your father?" He began to play with his spoon. without looking at me he said, "I don't blame him I just don't consider him as my family." I took another bite of my ice-cream and asked again "Do you visit your mom?" Daniel seemed annoyed as he dropped his spoon and answered sarcastically. "What is this, an interrogation? why don't you tell me about your mom and dad and your brothers or sisters too." The thought of that made my heart sick. Here was this guy with both parents alive and all he cared about was the fact that his mother divorced his father. I responded "I don't have siblings, I wish I did. You should consider having a relationship with your mom. Time is given freely and yet we can never have an abundance of it." He looked at me and changed the topic. "So who taught you how to play chess?" I smiled at the thought and said "My grandpa." He smirked. "Who taught you?" He looked like he was pulling out a fond memory then said. "I used to play with my mom a lot then when she left I started watching videos of the best chess player in the world. I practiced a lot." I looked at him and said, "We should get going." We got up and he walked me home. 

When we got to the gate he gave me a thoughtful look as we appreciated the silence. I started feeling a little self-conscious. "Do you not know how rude it is to stare," I said. "You were starring too." He answered as he kept staring. I broke contact and said "Well, our detour has come full circle. Thank you for walking me." I turned to walk away, he seemed to hesitate over saying something and keeping it to himself. But it seemed the latter was true. He waved goodbye as I walked inside the yard. The following day I was ready for my walk to school, when I stepped out I found Daniel waiting for me. "We doing mornings now?" I asked. He just smirked and took my bag. "What the hell did you put in here, rocks?" He jokingly asked. "I decided to bring all my textbooks with me so I could study," I answered. "Anyway good morning." He says as he hands over an apple. "How thoughtful of you, good morning." He smiles and asks "Did you miss me?" I immediately answer "No." He runs his fingers through his hair then sighs.  I ask "Why would I miss you?" He stopped walking and considered my question. "Well, what's not to miss? I'm romantic and charming." He said. I rolled my eyes the retorted "Don't flatter yourself prince charming." He smiled, so I added, "What are you smiling about?" His smile grew wider as he said "You even admit I'm charming." I felt a blush creep up on my cheeks. "I was being sarcastic prince airhead." He laughed at the comment, the kind of rich laugh that is contagious. I smiled as I felt his laughter rush straight to my heart. He was laughing because of me and it was beautiful. The indifferent Daniel King, leader of Faust had a side to him that I was growing attached to. He was the patient fisherman waiting for his catch to take the bait, I was on the verge of getting hooked.

When we got to school everyone was starring at us, Daniel didn't seem to care, he walked me straight to my locker. "I have football practice today, will you wait for me?" He asked. "Why would I do that?" I asked. "If you don't wait you will never find out." He answered. "You think you got me all figured out huh?" Without a word, he handed me my bag, winked at me then walked away. He was so hot I couldn't help but watch me leave. "Girl you're drooling," Liam said as he walked towards me. "You two are quite cozy," Chloe added. I looked between the two of them and snorted. "I don't know what you both are talking about," I said. Rebecca laughed and somehow she reminded me more of Daniel. "So will everyone be going to the social weekend?" Hailey asked. I was grateful she changed the subject. Everyone discussed how they are going and how they are looking forward to it. It was a first for me, apparently social weekend will be at the Hamptons, this is the biggest event in the state where all Elite schools come together for the weekend. It's games, parties and a lot of scandals. The day dragged on but I survived it, I waited for Daniel underneath the tree where he usually waits for me.

I decided to read a book to pass the time, I began to read a chapter that had me so engrossed that tears started running down my cheeks. I didn't see or hear Daniel approach. I felt his hand palm my cheek as his thumb wiped away my tears. Startled I looked up and my heart started beating a mile a minute. "Hey, what's wrong?" He asked. "Nothing, I guess this is a good read if it can get me crying my eyeballs out," I answered. He smiled and said, "Let's get you home." When we got to my house we stood there saying everything with our eyes, everything we dared not to say. Perhaps words could never describe what we were feeling or perhaps we were too scared to say too much too soon. It was time to say goodbye so I broke the silence "I'll see you tomorrow..." He nodded as I turned to leave. But before I knew it he grabbed my wrist and pulled me into him. We were inches apart when he leaned for a kiss, my heart started beating outside my chest, I closed my eyes anticipating my first kiss. I felt the first drop, the second then a third, and then a shower of rain poured. Kissed by the rain instead of Daniel's plump lips, we began to laugh at the interruption. "Would you like to come in?" I asked. He nodded as we ran inside.

When we got inside grandpa and nana were cooking together. Nana has Italian roots so she likes making pasta and sauce from scratch. Everything smelled divine. "Hi my pretty flower, you brought a guest," Grandpa said. Hi grandpa and nana, this is Daniel King. He was walking me home but it started raining outside." I mentioned. "Nice to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Knight," Daniel said humbly. Nana smiled and said, "Thank you for walking our Lily home, please have a seat." Grandpa joined Daniel and me at the table. "So you must be the guy who got beat at chess." Grandpa casually said. Embarrassed Daniel nodded. My grandpa laughed at that then added. "No need to feel bad, Lily learned from the best. Back in the day, I was undisputed. You could never see me coming." I saw a light bulb switch on in Daniel's head as if he was in awe. "Sir by chance are you the Dark Knight?" I was surprised he knew and by the looks of it so was my grandpa. "That is a long time ago lad." grandpa said. "Sir, I look up to you. You're my idol." Now it was clear that starstruck Daniel was more interested in my grandpa than the girl he almost kissed.