Claimed by the Sterling heir

The Billionaire's Target

Trading seats with other girls made things better for me. Most of them really wanted to stay with Kyle but I didn't care why. It was finally break time. Jamie, Jasmine and I sat at the cafeteria eating but I noticed Jasmine and Jamie kept sharing a look that made me uncomfortable.

​"Girls... what is it?" I asked.

​"Aria can I trade seats with you?" Jamie asked.

​"Ewww... seriously? You too?" Jasmine said in disgust.

​"I'm just kidding. Pretty sure Aria is sick of those words" Jamie said.

​"Congratulations on your new seatmate Aria" Jasmine said sarcastically.

​"Tell me about it. What's up with everyone and that brat. What's so special about him that everyone wants to be close to him?" I asked.

​"Are you serious? You don't know who that is?" Jamie asked.

​"I don't care" I replied.

​"That is Kyle Sterling. The only heir of the famous billionaire, Andrew Sterling. He's basically the school's hottie. Girls always want him and his money also speaks for him wherever he goes" Jamie said.

​I froze. "Wait... THE Andrew Sterling? Owner of Sterling Innovations?"

​"Yeah" Jasmine said.

​"No way... Now I see why he acts like he owns everything and he's the king of the world. Pride of a rich kid. How annoying" I said angrily.

​"Too bad you're stuck with him for the rest of the school year" Jasmine said.

​"Gosh... if I could trade seats forever I'd do it. Like he's so annoying just the smell of his perfume gets me agitated..." I was still ranting when a hard basketball slammed into the side of my head.

​Pain exploded behind my eyes and the cafeteria went dead silent.

​"Hey, bingo. Fetch" Kyle drawled. He was smirking from across the tables while his friends erupted in laughter, joining the mockery.

​My vision blurred with rage. Soon others began to laugh too. Jasmine quickly jumped up to defend me.

​"Can you guys stop? Who even plays basketball in a cafeteria?" She said.

​I stayed quiet, my fists clenched under the table, forcing the anger down before it would explode. But it only grew hotter.

​"Hey, princess... get my ball, bingo" Kyle taunted again. This time the laughter was louder.

​Jamie started. "You guys should—"

​"Shh... you talk too much" Kyle cut her off. His voice was lazy but sharp. Jamie flushed, looking completely embarrassed.

​I stood up slowly. Every eye in the room was locked on me. Kyle's smirk widened; he thought I'd hand it over like a good little pet.

​No way.

​I picked up the ball and walked straight to him, the cafeteria knife in my other hand. His eyes narrowed in confusion. Then I drove the knife into the ball not once, twice, but three times until it hissed flat, the rubber flapping uselessly.

​"There" I said calmly, tossing the ruined ball at his chest. "Your ball"

​Kyle's face twisted in shock and anger. "You little..."

​His hand shot up, his palm wide open like he was about to slap me. My heart slammed against my ribs but I didn't flinch. I locked eyes with him, not giving him the satisfaction of seeing me break. I had to hold the intense panic deep inside.

​Just then, the bell rang shrill. Perfect timing. Teachers streamed in from the halls. Kyle froze and lowered his hand. His eyes were glaring murder.

​"You're gonna pay for this" he hissed low. He stormed out and his friends followed. The crowd soon dispersed; it was like they were all waiting for action, probably a fight or my humiliation.

​"Hey... you okay?" Jasmine asked me.

​"Yeah I am. What about you guys?" I said trying to hide my fear behind a mask of bravery.

​"That Kyle is so rude. No wonder he got expelled from his school abroad" Jamie said.

​"Expelled?" I asked, not feeling really surprised.

​"That's what I heard" Jamie said.

​"Yeah. Kyle Sterling is not anyone to mess with Aria. You should be careful around him" Jasmine warned.

​I took a deep breath, ready to face things head-on. I was never the type to back down and this won't be any different.

​"I can handle it guys. Thanks though for standing up for me earlier" I said and hugged them.

​"We better leave for class before we are late" Jasmine reminded us.

​I totally avoided Kyle for the rest of the day, though he kept staring at me with cold eyes as if planning the perfect revenge. I kept my distance and trading seats made things easier. Soon it was closing time. I said goodbye to my friends, boarded the school bus, and left.

​I also bid goodbye to my safe zone as I drifted back to hell hole i came from ...