The Princess and the Bully (Goldsworthy University Book 1)

by Tiffany Ransier

A lot of people here still aren’t fans of hers. Something like this was bound to happen. But she acts like it’s more than that.

  She’s coming over today to study for our political science midterm tomorrow.

  I open the door to a knock, and Wil shoots me a small smile. “Let’s do good on this one."

  Nodding, I step aside to let her pass and close the door to the loud shouts emanating from down the hall.

  She settles onto the floor, leaning up against the front of my bed, and I sit beside her.

  She pulls out her flashcards, her preferred method of studying and quizzes me first. Once I’ve gone through them several times, only getting a few wrong each time, I go through them and quiz her.

  After the second round, she clutches her head. “I kind of have a headache.”

  “Let’s take a break.”

  I choose that time to get off the floor and grab two water bottles from my mini fridge.

  Mine is the only room in the fraternity with one.

  I toss one to her and she gulps the water down.

  “Hey, Callan,” she speaks in a soft tone. “Something has been going on for a while.”

  Her careful tone makes me stare hard at her. “What’s been going on?”

  Suddenly, my phone goes off, vibrating in my pocket. Dad.

  If this isn’t an update on Heath I don’t want this call. I’ll find an excuse and get off quickly.

  “Hold on,” I tell Wil and answer.

  “How’re you doing son?” Dad asks in a monotone voice.

  “Fine,” I reply back in the same tone.

  “Good to hear. Listen, I just wanted to let you know, after talking with the police about what you said Mera remembered, we’ve all decided that it’s in our best interest to stop searching for Heath.”

  Like a sucker punch to the gut, I feel fucking sick. “You can’t do that, Dad. He needs to be found.”

  Dad sighs. “And someday, I’m sure we’ll find it. The bones, maybe. But we don’t know anything, all leads have been false.”

  “There might be more leads!” I shout. “Why are we giving up so soon?”

  “It’s been six months. I’m afraid it’s time for us to let him go. I’ve put plenty of money and time into trying to find him. A lead isn’t just going to appear out of nowhere, six months later. We have to just accept it. He’s gone and let him rest.”

  “No.” This is why I fucking hate him. What kind of father gives up after six months? If something had happened to me, he would’ve given up after six months? And Mom is just letting him? “You can’t do this.”

  “I am, and I did. It’s over beginning tomorrow.”

  “Fuck you!” I yell into the phone and hang up.

  Wil looks at me with wide eyes. “I’m sorry. I can’t believe he’s given up so easily.”

  I hold my head, trying to contain the headache forming. “You need to go.”

  “We aren’t done studying yet, I still need to go over it a few more times.”

  “Do it in your own room,” I mutter and open the door for her.

  She frowns. “Just because you got bad news, doesn’t mean you get to treat me like shit again, Callan. I’m not your enemy.”

  “Just get out.” I can feel my anger rising with every second. It’s leaking out in small doses, and getting to her. I need her out before it consumes me completely. “I’ll talk to you later.”

  “Talk to me about this. Don’t just shut down,” she says, getting off the floor and touching my shoulder.

  “I don’t want to talk!” I shout. “Now get the hell out. I have things to do.” Like talk to my sister and see if she’ll help me turn things around. It’s a long shot. But I need to do whatever it takes to keep this investigation open.

  “If I walk out, I’m not coming back in, Callan. Ever.” Her mouth folds into sadness and her eyes get teary.

  But right now, I’m too mad to care. “Leave.”

  Because when I want her back, I’ll drag her back in, kicking and screaming if I have to.

  She inhales deeply, goes back to grab her bag off the floor, shoving her flashcards in and runs out.

  I close the door and immediately dial Coll’s phone. She answers after a few rings. “What?”

  “Did Dad call you yet?”

  She sighs. “Is this about Heath? Yes, he told me last weekend that he was thinking about shutting the investigation down. I don’t want him to shut it down either, but there’s nothing we can do except keep trying on our own to find something else out.”

  “There has to be more. There’s something out there we’re missing.”

  “Talk to your friends again. Maybe there’s some minute detail that they glossed over the first time you asked them?”

  It’s a good suggestion. In fact, I’ll ask everyone again. “Ask your friends again too, then. They were there that night.”

  “I’ve asked so many times,” she says with a frustrated sigh, “but sure.”

  I go to rush away, opening the door, when I realize how nice that scent is. Wil’s scent. I’ll make it up to her. Right now, this is more important.

  When I get to Tyrell and Noel’s room, Vincent is there too, listening to music on Tyrell’s bed while Tyrell is on the floor and Noel is on his.

  “What’s up buddy?” Noel asks, looking up from his phone.

  “My dad is shutting the investigation down.”

  “Oh shit,” Vincent mutters.

  “Sorry, man. Why don’t you pop a squat and try and chill for a while?” Noel asks.

  I shake my head. “No. I came to ask you guys, one last time. What do you remember from that night?”

  Noel’s smile leaves his face. “I remember acting like an ass and Heath stopping me. Heath went into the kitchen with Mera, came back out and went upstairs with her. I left ZDB around midnight after sulking over my first rejection.”

  Vincent clears his throat. “I was there until two, but I was watching Ashlynn all night.” He grimaces. “And what about Heath?”

  He blinks quickly. “I never saw him come out of Mera’s room.”

  I look down to Tyrell on the floor.

  His mouth flattens. “I stayed out in the backyard all night long…watching Luella with some other guy. I-I was fucking miserable. I wanted to beat his face in.”

  “And Heath?” I ask.

  He tilts his head back. “He went up with Mera and I didn’t see him again.”

  So nothing new. Fucking hell.

  “Thanks.” I leave, slamming the door behind me, ready to go back to my room when I run right into Silverstone.

  He inclines his head toward the room he shares with Vincent.

  When he closes the door behind me, he walks to his bed and sits at the end. “So I heard they’re closing the investigation.”

  “How do you know that?” I ask slowly, watching his face as he smiles widely.

  “I know a lot of things. And what I know for sure is that I'm the only one who can help you. So ask me what I know, Callan, ask me nicely.”

  Anger rises from my chest and I pull him up by his black t-shirt. “Tell me what the hell you know, Silverstone.”

  “That’s not nicely. But I’ll let it slide, just this once.” He shoves my hands away. “I saw Heath come down the stairs that night. He didn’t look well. Maybe he drank too much booze, who knows. I know I did. I watched him run into three people and the last one helped him to his car. That car left the parking lot and I never saw him or it again.”

  Clenching my fists at my side, it takes every fiber in my being to not punch this asshole right in his fucking face until it’s completely bruised. “You couldn’t tell me any of this sooner?” I snap. “And who were the three people? No one came forward and said any of that shit. How do I know that’s the truth?”

  “I didn’t say so sooner because I fucking hate you, Goldsworthy.” He smirks. “And who those three people are aren’t important. I have no reason to lie.”

  “Except to fuck with me,”
I blurt.

  “Believe me or don’t, that’s fine with me.” He shrugs with a smug look on his face.

  I leave without another word, heading back to my room. When I get inside, I go to call my dad, stopping as my finger hovers over his name in my contact list.

  No. He’s already given up on finding Heath. This is only for Collette and I to know, and no one else.

  But something still doesn’t make sense. How the fuck could Silverstone know so quickly that the investigation was shut down? Does he have an in with the police? Does one of them call him with updates?

  And if so, why keep tabs on Heath? Heath who he despises just as much as he despises me. Even more concerning, did he really tell me everything this time? He better hope to God he did.

  Kane Silverstone has hated me since the moment he met me.

  “Callan. This is Kane. You guys both like to play with cars, don’t you? Go outside and play while Kane’s father and I talk business.”

  I nod and grab a green car for Kane and a blue one for me.

  “Thanks.” Why doesn’t he look happy? The green car is the better one since somehow I messed up the blue wheel.

  We go outside of the building and I line up my car. “Hey, let’s see who is faster.” He’ll be happy when he wins.

  He stares blankly at me for a few minutes and finally nods. Does he feel sick or something?

  Kane sets the green car down, crouching down next to me.

  “Ready?” I ask. Before I can say go, he pushes the car forward. His car goes all the way to the grass and flops over.

  “Hey!” I yell, standing up and pointing. “That’s not fair. You have to wait until I say go.”

  He laughs. “I won. Now go get it so we can go again.” His eyes are different than everyone else at school. Why is he looking at me like that?

  I walk down to the grass and go get it anyway, handing it to him. He sets it down and I crouch next to him. “This time, let’s wait until I say go.” He’s going to win anyway since the wheel of mine is messed up.

  “Ready?” He nods. “Go!” I yell.

  I push the car and watch it go a short ways, eventually spinning out while his gets to the end of the grass again.

  He laughs and shouts, “Haha, you’re still a loser! Want to go again?”

  But I don’t. And I don’t want to be called a loser. That’s mean. Heath said when people say stuff like that they’re bullies.

  “I’m not a loser,” I mutter. “I knew your car would win. My wheel is messed up.” I walk over to the blue car and pick it up. “Here, you can try it and it’ll do the same for you.”

  He snatches it from my grasp and pushes it forward. The same exact thing happens and he glares at me. “What kind of idiot keeps a messed up car? My dad will buy me a new one if mine breaks.”

  “My dad would too!” I yell. “I just like this one because my brother gave it to me.”

  He glares. “Your brother makes stupid choices then.”

  I hate him. Kane. No one talks about my brother like that. “You don’t talk about my brother like that.”

  “I can say what I want. I’m Kane Silverstone.”

  I clench my fist. I want to hit him. I feel so angry. Dad says hitting is for older people though. I’m only six. Dad might get in trouble with Kane’s dad.

  What should I do?

  Maybe if we do something else he’ll act nicer. “Why don’t we go to the lake for a swim? They’ll take a while in there.”

  A smile that I can only think of as creepy spreads across his face. “Yeah, that sounds like a good idea. Let’s go.”

  I put my blue car on the ground next to the green one and start walking, leading the way to the lake.

  Dad says most students are off campus for the rest of the week so no one should be there.

  I wish I had a better idea. Mom will be mad when she sees my wet clothes again and maybe even madder because she told me not to do this until the sun is out all the time again. If there was other fun stuff to do here I would do it.

  Kane stays behind me. I look back at him a few times to see what he’s doing. He isn’t doing anything though, just smiling in a weird way.

  It’s a long way to the lake and it can sometimes be confusing with how many trees are around. It’s a lot easier now since the leaves have fallen off.

  When we finally get there, I stop at the edge and point to the dock. “Why don’t we jump off there?”

  He nods. “Sure. We’ll race to see who’s faster.” Something in his expression makes me feel scared. Maybe it’s the fact that he’s still smiling?

  I start walking and try to ignore the feeling in my chest. When I get there, I take my shoes off and he does the same.

  “I’m a pretty good swimmer. Are you?” he asks, looking at the lake.

  It’s not the pool at my house, but it’s still pretty fun. “I’m pretty good too.”

  He jumps in place. “I’m ready then. We’ll run when you say go.”

  “Ready?” I pause and watch him stick his leg out and his arms straight back. “Go!”

  I take off, running straight down the old dock. Where’s Kane though? I don’t see him. As I hit the water, I go down, and move my arms to go back up when I hear a splash.

  A splash that’s way too close.

  And then I feel it, hands, two hands pressing on my head.

  Did Kane land on me?

  I try and swim away, but his hands stay on my head. What’s he doing? I need air.

  I tap his hands expecting him to realize his mistake and let go. He only presses me down harder.

  Wait. This isn’t funny. This isn’t fun. I open my mouth as my air runs out and water comes rushing in. It isn’t a fun feeling.

  I try to kick my legs to send myself above the surface. It doesn’t work. He has me held down. I can’t breathe. My chest hurts so bad.

  Dad said I need air to swim which is why I shouldn’t swim too deep in the lake. Without it I’d die.

  I don’t want to die.

  “Kane! Kane!” I yell in the water shaking my head. “Don’t let me die, please.”

  My mind goes to Heath. My brother would save me. Please let him hear me somehow. “Heath! Heath! I don’t want to die.”

  And then, everything goes black.

  Until I hear a voice calling me. A hand on my chest. Something wet on my lips.

  But I can’t breathe. It hurts.

  “Callan! Oh my God!” That’s my mom’s voice.

  I blink and cough out the water from my mouth. A lot of it comes out, and I feel sick.

  I suck in as much air as I can, and look around. I’m right next to the lake.

  The lake. I turn to stare at it, still trying to breathe.

  All of a sudden, that lake doesn’t look like much fun anymore. The dark water in the center looks angry. Like it’ll pull you in and never let you go.

  I don’t want it to pull me in.

  “Callan, promise me you won’t swim without us, ever again,” Mom says tearfully.

  I’m still staring at the water when she shakes me. “Callan? Callan? Can you understand me?” I don’t say anything as I still remember how it felt to not be able to breathe.

  “Oh my God, something’s wrong with his brain.”

  “Hey, Call.” That’s my brother’s voice. I turn my head and see him.

  “Heath,” I whisper, and stumble to get up and hug him. “I thought I was going to die, Heath.”

  “You didn’t die. I got there just in time. Sam’s dad dropped me off and I saw your cars outside, but you weren’t there. I went in and found out you were missing and ran straight here. I’m glad I got there just in time before you drowned. Didn’t I tell you swimming can be hard? It’s okay to take a break.”

  Blinking quickly, I shake my head. “I didn’t have trouble swimming.”

  Mom touches my shoulder. “What do you mean?”

  I glance at the person that hasn’t said a word this whole time. And what I see is terrifyi
ng. His eyes are wide and his face is red. He looks like he’s about to burst. He shakes his head once and does the zip it thing.

  He doesn’t want me to tell on him.

  No. The truth is the most important thing. That’s what Mom says.

  “Kane tried to drown me,” I say, burrowing into Heath’s side.

  Mom laughs. “Callan, don’t make a joke. That’s not funny. We can’t accuse innocent people just because they were there during an incident. Kane didn’t know you were drowning. That doesn’t mean he drowned you.”

  Why doesn’t she believe me?

  “Callan, is that what happened?” Heath asks.

  I shake my head and tell them everything. When I’m done, she scoffs. She says I made the whole thing up because I don’t like Kane.

  It’s true, I don’t. But I wouldn’t lie. I promised her I wouldn’t lie about anything.

  She walks with us back, patting Kane on the back, whispering to him so I don’t hear. But I do. She doesn’t want Kane to talk to his father about this and that she’ll make it up to him for having to deal with me.

  I cry silently rubbing the snot that comes out of my nose. Heath pats me on the back and whispers, “Hey, I believe you. I think Mom is just trying to keep Dad happy like she always does. And for some reason that means keeping Kane happy.”

  It sounds right to me, but it doesn’t make me feel better. I hate her. And I hate Dad. I hope Heath never leaves me.

  “Don’t be alone with Kane again, okay? Have your two friends with you, Noel and Vincent.”

  I nod. Noel and Vincent would be on my side. They’re my best friends. They’ll hate Kane too.

  When we get back, Dad is angry at me for leaving. Kane’s dad asks what happened and Mom tells them both. Dad is even angrier because he thinks I lied. Kane’s dad isn’t angry though. He looks kind of sad at me. Why? Does he know I didn’t lie?

  When Kane goes to leave, I realize he’s been staring at me the whole time. Watching me with a weird look. When he’s really gone, I feel a lot better.

  Dad tells Heath and I to wait outside and not move so he and Mom can talk.

  When we get out, Heath hands me the green car. “Let’s race again.” He grabs the blue car.

  “But Heath, you know you’ll lose.”

  He smiles. “It’s okay if I lose to my little brother. Now let’s do this.”