HIDE (Boys Of Darlington Academy Book 1)

by D. V. EEDEN

  I already know that I won’t be able to get any sleep tonight, so I plug in my earphones and listen to calming music to help drown out the silence and distract me from my own dark thoughts.

  Chapter Ten

  I bolt upright in bed before my alarm goes off, sweat dripping from my forehead, unable to catch my breath. I peel the duvet off my sweat soaked skin, shakily climb out of bed, and head to the bathroom. Placing both of my hands on the sink for balance, I stare at my reflection in the mirror for a moment. Turning on the faucet, I cup cold water in my hands, rinsing my face.

  Little snippets of my nightmare keep playing over in my mind. Blake, Charles, and Hugo drowning me. I’m underwater, looking into the eyes of a demon with black eyes. His cackling echoes in the water while he holds me under. Hugo and Charles stand behind him with sin in their eyes, enjoying the view of me struggling, while I scratch the skin from Blake’s arm.

  He doesn’t budge.

  I spray some more water on my face to shake off the nightmare. Why does this feel like a memory? Surely, they didn’t drown me. I would have remembered something like that. I shake my head. My mind is playing tricks on me.

  Checking the time, I still have an hour before my alarm goes off, so I climb back into bed and scroll through social media. Exhaustion fills every part of my soul and my eyelids flutter closed. This time when my alarm goes off, I get up. but thank god I fell back to sleep. I needed it.

  “Good Morning hon, how are you feeling?” Blaire comes over, sitting on the edge of my bed still dressed in her satin night gown, looking as flawless as ever. She takes my left hand to hold and gives me a reassuring squeeze. “Are you up for classes today?” she asks.

  I withdraw my hand from hers to help myself sit up.

  “Yeah I’ll be fine, the sleep did me good,” I give her a reassuring smile and she sighs in response, lifting herself up from my bed, heading to the bathroom.

  My phone pings from beneath me as I left it on my bed when I dozed off. There’s a text from Miles asking me if I am okay. I smile, sending him a quick reply to let him know that I am fine and still attending classes today. He replies immediately saying he will meet me down in the dining hall for breakfast.

  After Blaire and I have gotten ready for the day, which took me a little longer this morning as I caked my face in concealer to hide the big blue bags under my eyes and my blotchy skin, which was still pale after yesterday, we make our way down to the dining hall where we meet Maisie.

  Disappointment rushes through my veins and my shoulders slump as I see Miles hasn’t arrived. I’m sure he will be here soon, I tell myself. He’s the only guy who has been so genuine since I’ve started here, and not propositioned me for sex like all the other dicks.

  Plus, the guy saved my life, so I kinda owe him one now.

  We take a seat at the usual table, both girls pestering me, checking to see if I’m okay. I try and reassure them as much as I can but it’s nice to have someone worry over me.

  “What are you ordering Ade?” Blaire asks as she eyes the menu.

  “I’m not really that hungry,” I murmur as I rest my chin on the palm of my hand, but Blaire’s eyes dart from the menu straight over to me in a split second. My eyes go wide in response, and it’s evident that I said the wrong thing.

  “You have to eat something. If you don’t choose something, I will be forced to do it for you,” she challenges as her dark eyebrows raise.

  I’m lucky to have them in my life. I smile and my heartstrings tug as I watch them fuss over me, constantly asking if I am okay. I order my breakfast, settling on yoghurt with fruit and granola, not overly hungry but in need of some sort of boost. And of course, coffee and an orange juice.

  Sitting in silence, I pry into everyone’s conversations near me, luckily none of which are about me, for once. Two large hands grab my shoulders from behind, startling me out of my daze and I find Miles cracking up. He takes a seat next to me, grabbing my hand and threading his long fingers in between mine.

  “How you are holding up?” he whispers in my ear.

  Blaire and Maisie stare at us from over the top of their phones. A frown graces Blaire’s mouth and I know she isn’t pleased. I think she can at least like him for saving my life.

  “I am fine, thank you for asking.” I give him an honest smile, because I feel a lot better now that he’s sitting next to me. “I want to say thank you, but I don’t know how to repay you.” I stare down into my lap, not wanting to see his reaction but he grips my chin in his long elegant fingers, bringing my eyes to meet his.

  “How about, I take you out this Friday?” he asks, plastering a cheeky smile on his face, his eyes staring directly into mine as he waits for my answer.

  I put on my biggest grin and nod. “Yeah, I’d love that.”

  “Good, it’s settled then.” Glancing over his shoulder, “well I have to run, I ordered my breakfast to go as I am busy this morning, but I’ll catch you later?” He stands to leave, winks at me and then heads off.

  Wow, who knew drowning was a way to get someone’s attention.

  Blaire and Maisie have shock written all over their face, the bottoms of their jaws pretty much hitting the table and their eyes wide as saucers.

  “Oh my god!” Blaire shrieks behind her hands, covering her mouth while I giggle like a little schoolgirl who’s crush just asked her out – oh wait, that is me.

  My first class of the day is Business Economics, which is actually what I should be studying for my degree. I don’t share this class with the girls, but I do with Blake.

  Today is the first time I step foot in this class, and other than Blake I have no idea who else will be here to taunt me, and the only reason why I know Blake is in here is because Blaire warned me when she saw my class schedule.

  I am the first one to arrive and Mr. Aldridge is sitting at his desk, organizing papers.

  “Ah, I am guessing you are Adelaide?” he asks, taking of his glasses and throwing them onto the desk. I give him a smile and an awkward wave, and he points to a seating plan on the board.

  Oh, for Christ’s sake, next to Blake again! Why do we have to sit in alphabetical order? I grunt with a sigh, dragging my feet to the desk where I don’t want to sit. I’m starting to think the universe is against me.

  Today is the first morning I haven’t seen any of the Royals, so as soon as Blake enters the room, I feel nauseous with dread, almost frightened of him. My pulse quickens as he looks over at the seating plan, his disappointment radiating all the way from the other end of the room. The girls already in the room all play with their hair, pushing up their boobs to show extra cleavage for when Blake walks past, which he surprisingly ignores. Blake takes his seat next to me, being sure to move it away from me as far as possible without leaving the desk entirely. I don’t say a word to him, taking his last warning into consideration.

  Thinking this day can’t get any worse, in steps Hugo and Charles. Luck is slightly more on my side. Because of the seating plan, they don’t sit anywhere near me. I sigh in relief and lean back in my chair, playing with the pen in my hand. I could do with a stress ball.

  Mr. Aldridge begins the class with an introduction to the first units and sets up a little assignment to complete within forty-five minutes. Blake still hasn’t said a word to me, but why would he? I scan the room to find Charles slumped back in his chair, his arm resting on the back of his partner’s, looking around the room before his eyes find mine. His lips curl up into a sinful smile and he gives me finger wave. I immediately snap back to my assignment, trying to ignore his taunt.

  I manage to finish my assignment within thirty minutes and Blake isn’t too far behind me. I notice Hugo finished at least ten minutes before me, which doesn’t surprise me as that guy is smart. He’s got the looks of a Greek god but the mind of an evil genius, and he uses them both as a weapon. I sit there daydreaming and biting on my pen, not realizing I’m still gazing at Hugo until he cocks his head my way, breaking my little daze. We al
l hand in our papers, and Mr. Aldridge sets an assignment which will take the whole year to complete, but then drops the bomb that we will be working in pairs with the person sitting next to us.

  Fuck my life.

  Blake and I don’t say a word to each other about the upcoming assignment, but I am pretty confident we can come up with a plan of just splitting it in the middle, without any conversing. The class starts to filter out the door, but Hugo and Charles make their way to my desk, I assume to wait for Blake.

  “Do you enjoy staring at people like a fucking weirdo?” Hugo says with a sneer on his face, and Charles’ head rolls back as he roars with laughter.

  “I didn’t mean to, I was daydreaming,” I roll my eyes at him.

  Oh god why did I just tell him I was daydreaming. Now he’s going to think I was dreaming about him!

  “That’s fucked up,” he drawls, already bored of the conversation. They stand in front of our desk waiting for Blake, who is talking to Mr. Aldridge, possibly trying to get a new partner. That would be a dream come true.

  “You all good mate?” Charles questions Blake as he storms back over to us. Clearly whatever he was talking to Mr. Aldridge about, or the request for a new partner was denied. Goddamn it.

  “Yeah, he’s a fucking cunt. Hate the dude,” Blake spits as he picks up his bag from the floor, stuffing all his stationary and books into it, then they all make their way to leave. Blake spins on his heel, turning to face me again nearly halfway through exiting.

  “Oh Africa, I forgot to ask you earlier…”

  His eyes turn from their beautiful Indian ocean blue, to a black hole filled with nothingness. “Did you enjoy your swim last night?” he releases a slow chuckle and the other two follow suit. I drop my books, realizing my nightmare was in fact a memory.

  Blake tried to drown me.

  “Don’t forget tutoring tonight Africa,” Hugo adds nonchalantly before they leave me alone in the room. Tears sting the back of my eyes and my breathing hitches as my chest tightens. I try to withhold the hyperventilating cry that lies in my aching chest. Wiping away the tears that managed to escape, I pretty much run to the bathroom to check my makeup. I apply some more concealer to try and hide the red around my still stinging eyes, holding the cry that’s begging to be released, but I won’t let it. No, I’ll release it through dance later. I won’t let these fuckwits ruin my day.

  The rest of the day goes by with a blink, considering I still have tutoring with Hugo this afternoon. I’ve even checked to see if anyone else can replace him, but there isn’t any other tutors available. For now, I have to cope with Hugo and his frustrating personality.

  Entering the library, I notice he’s not at our usual table, which is unusual for him as he’s always early. I get all my assignments set up on my laptop, stick in my earphones and play some loud rock music that matches my mood to block out everything and everyone around me. Getting on with my assignments, I haven’t kept my eye on the time. My earphones are ripped from my ears, leaving a stinging sensation behind.

  “It’s time to work, not head bang,” Hugo says, clearly agitated. I frown at him as he takes his usual seat, starting his normal routine of organizing all the papers, books and stationary on the table.

  I think he has some form of OCD.

  “To be honest, I don’t really care what you think, I don’t really want you as a tutor anyway,” I snap, putting one earphone back in and continuing with the assignment.

  “And why is that Africa?”

  Is he for real? I know Hugo is smart, so why he’s acting stupid is beyond me. “Umm maybe because your fucking dick of a friend tried to drown me, and you just stood there.” I grit my teeth, clenching my jaw, trying not to flip the table over and punch Hugo, even though I’m pretty sure that would be unsuccessful.

  “Oh, that. Yeah, Blake didn’t try and drown you, do you think he’s stupid and would actually kill you?” he asks, chuckling to himself and handing me an assignment to complete.

  “I beg to differ.” I put my other earphone back in and turn up the volume, knowing he can hear it. He studies me for a moment before getting back to his own assignment and I can feel the awkward tension in the air. I still want to kick the shit out of him, but he’s huge so I’d never win. I think if I tried to punch him, he wouldn’t flinch, and my hand would be worse off. I finally get into a rhythm with my assignment and once again Hugo has to be a dick, pulling my earphones out again.

  “What the fuck do you want?” I am seething by now.

  “You’re listening to some pretty heavy shit,” he says, and I look at him in confusion. I mean I knew my earphones were loud enough for him to hear, but I didn’t think he would want to start a conversation.

  “Yeah well, the occasion calls for it,” I roll my eyes at him.

  “Yeah. Slipknot will help you with all the anger you’re holding in,” he surprises me, recognizing the band I’m listening to. But not just that, he knows how angry I am. I suppose I am radiating a dark aura around me.

  “No shit sherlock, obviously I am angry.”

  He shakes his head at me and grabs my assignment from underneath my hand, stuffing it in his bag along with the other things before he leaves.

  What the fuck was that all about?

  Almost as if he is angry with me, but what the fuck does that asshole need to be angry about? I have every right to be furious with the prick.

  The end of the week soon comes round and I’m getting ready for my date with Miles. Well, I think it’s a date.

  Blaire still insists on giving me a talk as she doesn’t think this is a good idea. “I really think going on this date is a bad idea. He is the biggest playboy I know and plus he is Ruby’s stepbrother,” Blaire warns as she packs her bags. She turns around to face me, placing a warm hand on my bare cold shoulder.

  “I just don’t want you to get hurt, that’s all,” she says.

  “I know you are only looking out for me, but I haven’t felt like this with someone, ever. And he treats me so well, so I would love to see where this may go,” I explain, offering her a soft smile. I have heard whispers that Miles and Ruby are close, but I haven’t seen them communicate in any way.

  “Right, well, have an amazing evening. Don’t forget to text me later. I’ll see you on Monday,” Blaire smiles as she lifts her bag and leaves the room. Thankfully she leaves just in time for me to get ready, so I get the room to myself in peace. I style my dark brown hair with soft curls and apply a full face of makeup along with red lipstick. I am going all out tonight to look my best and I’m glad that it’s with Miles.

  Every time I think of him my heart skips a little beat in excitement and the butterflies in my stomach flap their wings ferociously. We have such an amazing connection, not just as dance partners but also as a possible couple and he’s gorgeous too. A lot more beautiful than what I usually go for, but that is probably because a gorgeous looking model has never looked my way before. I pull out an off-shoulder white skater dress, with a tight-fitting bodice and pair it with some red heels. Taking a picture of my outfit in the mirror, I send it to Blaire and Maisie in our group chat for their approval. They both reply instantly with the heart eyes emoji.

  At exactly seven, Miles knocks on the door as promised and the butterflies feel more intense than before. I quickly check my make-up before answering the door, and as soon as I do, I am left breathless.

  Miles looks handsome in tight fitting jeans with a white crisp shirt, sleeves rolled up to the elbow and smart brown loafers. He looks like the typical posh boy. He even styled his hair differently, spiking it up a little and making it look effortless.

  “Ade, you look fucking amazing,” he breathes, eyes wide and raking from my feet all the way to my face, with a devilish grin on his face.

  “It’s not too much, is it?” I ask, giving him a little twirl but the look on his face shows appreciation. It seems to say ‘I want to rip your clothes off’ which makes me even happier.

  “Hell no!�
� he says, grabbing my hand and escorting me to his car, which is parked in the courtyard at the back of the academy. Students are allowed to have their vehicles on site, as long as they park it in a secure garage behind the academy, and pretty much everyone has their own car. Everyone apart from me of course.

  “Where are we going tonight?” I question, but Miles just looks at me with a mischievous smile and doesn’t say a word. We get to the garage and my mouth almost drops. I haven’t seen so many expensive cars all in one place in my whole life. I bet this cost more than a fucking country. He directs me to an electric blue Maserati which is tucked away in the corner and it takes my breath away. I don’t think I have ever seen a car so beautiful. I mean, I’m not one for cars, but even I know this is a limited edition.

  Miles chuckles to himself as he can see the appreciation in my eyes.

  As a perfect gentleman, Miles opens the passenger door for me, letting me slide in gracefully. The leather upholstered seat hugs me in, making me feel safe and comfortable. Once Miles has climbed in, he starts the engine with a button and the car roars to life. The sounds making me feel as though I’m at an F1 race rather than the academy, and then Miles gently pulls away from all the other cars, leaving the estate, making me in charge of the music, so of course I choose the most cheesy songs ever.

  “Seriously, you decide to go for this?” He side-eyes me, the corner of his lips curling into a grin.