Bad Prince Read online

  “Or something.” I open my eyes and look at her, taking in every inch of her beautiful face. She’s staring at my lips, and when her eyes lift to mine, this amazing shade of pink makes its way up her face. “I’m new so he’s trying to assert his authority. Didn’t work and won’t work. He thinks I want his place as leader of whatever gang he’s in, but I’m not bothered. I just want to leave this place.”

  Her eyes open wide. “Me too. I hate it here and just want to get away, even for a short time.” She turns her head to look out across the green fields surrounding the school.

  “What do you do for fun around here?”

  She laughs and the sound reverberates through me. It sounds like someone tinkling on a piano. I immediately want to make her laugh again.

  “The nuns don’t know what the word means.” She looks from side to side before leaning in closer, like she’s going to tell me a secret. “We get out on Saturdays into the local village. We try and cause trouble but they never tell on us. It’s like they feel sorry for us.” She looks around again. “I make strawberry wine and we drink it in the woods some weekends. It takes the edge off this morbid place.”

  “Strawberry wine. That explains it.” I smile.

  “What does it explain?”

  “The smell of strawberries when you get close to me. I thought I smelt it earlier when I shook your hand, but it was only when you walked up to me here that I could work out the smell. It suits you.”

  She laughs, and again, it makes me smile. “Thank God the nuns haven’t picked up on it or I’d be in trouble.” She leans back against the wall. “It’s quiet out here, isn’t it?”

  “Yes. I needed to clear my head from that dick. I’m glad you came out though. I was hoping you would.”

  “You gave me your number. We’re not allowed phones at school.”

  “Nor are we, but I got the impression you’re a bit of a rebel like me so I thought you’d have one stashed away somewhere.”

  “I might.” I can hear her smiling.

  We stand silently against the wall with the sun beating down on us. I reach out my hand and she’s standing so close that it touches hers. I stretch my pinkie and entwine it with hers. Neither of us says anything, but I feel better now I’ve got contact with her. What is it about her that makes me want to be around her?

  “So, this is where you’re hiding, young lady.” A nun’s voice booms from right beside us. “Get inside now, Ms Masters.” Ellie moves her hand quickly, no longer touching mine.

  I look at Ellie and she makes a face, rolling her eyes towards the sister. I smile as she moves away from the wall and makes her way inside. As she steps inside the front door, I hear the nun saying, “You should know better. Don’t ruin the competition for either school. You worked well together and we could stand a pretty good chance.”

  “Yes, Sister.”

  I smile as I think of her, with her strawberry aroma, following the sister and keeping the peace. I’m glad she came outside, and just as I’m ready to follow her in, I hear someone calling my name.

  “Jake, this is where you are. I thought you were hiding from me,” Dean says. Thank God it’s him and not Dom.

  “Hey, what’s happening in there?” I nod my head back inside.

  “Not much. Dom’s saying he doesn’t want to let you into the society. Try not to piss him off.”

  “Why? He annoys me. I’m not going to bow down to a dick like that. If he’s going to be like that all the time then I don’t want in. Anyway, I won’t be staying here too long.”

  Dean laughs. “You’re not going to be able to get away, you know? They have all the entrances and exits covered.”

  “That’s why I won’t make a rash decision. I’ll bide my time.”

  “Come on. We’d better get back inside before we get into trouble.” Dean walks to the door and holds it open.

  I stand for another couple of seconds before pushing off the wall and following him. When we get back inside, it’s time for us to leave. They get us all together in a group and we say goodbye to the girls. I see Ellie and catch her eye, smiling and making the phone signal with my hand again. She nods her head and smiles at me.

  On the coach, Dean sits next to me. “A few of us were talking about the weekend. We like to get together in the woods behind the college. You game?”

  “Yeah. Anything to get out of school.”

  When we get back to school, I go straight to my room. I have some studying to do and I want to get it out of the way so I can enjoy my weekend. Rebellious, huh?

  I’m just finishing my assignment when my phone beeps with a text. I’m excited to see if it’s Ellie. It is.

  Ellie: Hey. Today was fun wasn’t it?

  Jake: It sure was. We wiped the floor with everyone else. There was no way we weren’t both getting through.

  Ellie: I know LOL you were the only one who was competition. I like that. So tell me why you want to leave so bad?

  Jake: I never wanted to come here in the first place. Something happened at home and I was sent here. Far away from my parents and my friends. I guess they want me to stay out of trouble

  Ellie: Yeah I guessed you were trouble when I saw you getting off the bus. Maybe that’s why we hit it off.

  Jake: Maybe or it could be the fact that you’re beautiful and I wanted to get your attention. Tell me why you hate it here.

  Ellie: Beautiful huh? I hate being away from my family too. I was sent here to get me away from conflict at home. I never wanted to be here. I’ve made friends but I have to rebel, it’s what I’m good at. That’s why I make the wine and cider. I need to forget about this place and all the rules. And it makes me a ton of money.

  Jake: Really? So you’re loaded. I always wanted a rich girl.

  We chat back and forth for a couple of hours. Having changed and got into bed, she sends me another text.

  Ellie: I’m in bed and going to go to sleep now. Talk tomorrow?

  I smile at her hesitation, and also at the need to speak to her again.

  Jake: Definitely.

  A few minutes later, I send another one.

  Jake: Any chance you want to meet up tomorrow night?

  She doesn’t reply and I have a long night of broken sleep, checking my phone once in a while.

  Chapter Six

  ELLIE

  When I wake up, the first thing I do is check my phone. I loved chatting to Jake last night. He’s so funny and we’re both on the same wavelength.

  Jake: Any chance you want to meet up tomorrow night?

  Oh my God. He wants to see me again before the next round of Olympiad. Do I want to meet him and risk getting in trouble? Hell yeah.

  Ellie: I’d love to. Where and when? I don’t know how we’ll manage it.

  He takes a few minutes to reply.

  Jake: Leave it with me. Are you going into town today?

  Ellie: I guess so. We usually do.

  Jake: Enjoy and don’t rob anything. LOL I’ll work out how we can meet and come back to you later.

  Ellie: Thanks, you too. Talk later. Have a good day.

  Jake: You too.

  At breakfast, I sit next to Alia, of course. “You’re looking happy with yourself this morning. You did well yesterday, but seriously, it’s still work.”

  I laugh and nudge her with my elbow. “I don’t care about the Olympiad. Well, I do because it gets us out of here for a while. Do you remember I got caught outside yesterday?”

  “Yeah with the dude from Brunswick. Did you get into more trouble?”

  I smile, thinking of the trouble that I could be in for talking to Jake on an illegal phone. “No. The only trouble I’m in is talking to Jake last night. I like him, Alia.”

  “You were talking to him? Ellie, that’s so cool. What were you talking about?”

  “We were just talking about school and stuff. He’s really funny. He hates it there. He’s only been there a week. I feel like he’s hiding something though. He wants to meet up tonight.”


  “No way. Are you going to go?”

  “Of course I am. I need to do something different, and you know I don’t care if I get caught.”

  We eat breakfast and then Alia looks around. “So what if he tries to kiss you? Are you going to let him?”

  “Hell yeah! He’s so cute. Like, seriously hot. Will you help me find something nice to wear? I want to make a good impression.”

  “Does that mean we’re going into town to go shopping? Yay!”

  “It sure does. Come on. Let’s get ready. We’ll go in, just the two of us. I’ll treat us to lunch in Betty’s.” Betty’s is a gorgeous little coffee shop. It’s really old-fashioned and it’s our favourite weekend hangout.

  Alia stands up. “Come on then. What are you waiting for?”

  I laugh and follow her upstairs.

  When we get into town, we go straight to the clothes shops and see if we can find anything nice to wear. I don’t want nice, I want daring. I want to make a good impression.

  My phone beeps with a text.

  Jake: Hey, you still up for tonight? You haven’t changed your mind?

  Ellie: No I haven’t changed my mind, I’m excited.

  Jake: Me too. So apparently there’s a path in the woods that brings you closer to my school. There’s a clearing in the woods about halfway in where some of the guys meet girls. I don’t want you walking through the woods on your own though so I’ll meet you at the entrance to the woods. Apparently it’s just past the kitchen gardens.

  Ellie: Cool, what time? We have free time from eight onwards.

  Jake: It will take me about half an hour to get to your end so let’s say about eight thirty. Is that okay?

  Ellie: That’s perfect. Do I need to bring anything with me?

  Jake: Just your beautiful self

  Ellie: I’m going to bring some of my strawberry wine too

  Jake: Even better. I’m dying to taste those strawberries. They always smell so good on you.

  Ellie: Oh they taste so good

  Jake: Looking forward to getting to know you better.

  Ellie: Me too :-)

  “That’s some smile on your face there, Ellie. Is it lover boy?”

  “Yeah. He’s meeting me tonight in the woods. Can you cover for me if you need to?”

  “Of course. You know I will. I’m so excited.”

  We spend the rest of the day buying clothes, make-up, and just hanging out.

  After dinner, we go back to our dorm and I get changed. I have to be careful what I have on just in case a nun sees me. So I put on black jeans and a tight top. After putting on my jacket, I slip outside and make my way over to the entrance to the woods. Just as I step inside, Jake walks out from behind a tree.

  “Hey.” He grabs me and swings me around. “I was worried you’d changed your mind.”

  “No way. I’ve been looking forward to this all day.”

  He takes my hand and we walk through the woods together.

  “I’ve never really been deep into the woods before.” I’m in awe looking up at the tall trees that get denser and denser the further into the woods we get.

  “It actually meets up with our school at the other end. In the middle is a clearing and it’s obviously where other kids hang out as there’s stuff for a fire and everything.”

  “Cool.”

  We walk into the middle of the woods, talking about school life and telling funny stories. When we get there, he lights a fire and we sit on some logs next to it. I bring out the bottle of strawberry wine that I made. “Here, try this and see what you think.” I hand him the bottle. I had it hidden in the inside pocket of my jacket.

  He shakes his head. “No. You go first.”

  “Don’t you trust me?” I giggle and take a swig.

  “Of course I do, but I want to taste the strawberries on you.” I don’t even have time to process what he means as he leans in and kisses me on the lips, his tongue invading my mouth. When he pulls back, I stare at him with my mouth open. “Yeah, it definitely tastes good.” He takes the bottle from me and has a swig before handing it back to me. “Definitely better on your lips than the bottle.”

  I blush. He just kissed me. I need to say something. I need to do something. What am I going to do? “Thanks.” That’s it? That’s all I can say?

  He laughs. “Now tell me all about you, Ellie. I want to know what makes you tick.”

  I tell him the abridged version, the stuff I’m allowed to talk about.

  “I think you’re holding something back. Don’t you trust me?”

  “I don’t really know you. Tell me about yourself and then I’ll think about it.”

  He laughs. He tells me about moving away from his family and moving to Brunswick. He said he had done something to bring shame on his family, but wouldn’t expand and I didn’t push him. He hates it at Brunswick and meeting me was the highlight of his week.

  As we drink more of the strawberry wine, the stories flow and we tell each other about growing up. He definitely seems to be holding something back too. “Is Jake even your real name?” I ask as I turn on the log to look at him.

  He turns to face me. “It is. I’d love to tell you more about me, but I can’t. Not yet, anyway.” He pulls me close and kisses me again. I could get used to his kisses; they are so soft and warm.

  Breaking away, I look at my watch. “Shit, Jake. It’s getting late. I need to go back or I won’t be able to sneak in. Alia is keeping one of the side doors unlocked for me, but the nuns do a check on us at midnight so I have to be back by then.”

  “I’ll walk you back now. Don’t want you getting into trouble with the nuns. They could stop you doing the Olympiad and I’d hate doing it without you.”

  He puts out the fire and then puts his arm around my shoulders and pulls me close as we walk to the edge of the woods near St. Bernadette’s.

  “I’ll watch you, and when you’re back by the school, I’ll leave. I just want to make sure you get back safely.”

  “Thanks,” I say, squeezing his hand. It’s strange how we’ve become so close, so quickly. He makes my life so much brighter already.

  When we reach the edge of the woods, he pulls me in for a hug and then kisses me again. His kisses are amazing and make me feel warm all over. “We’ll talk soon,” he says as he lets go of my hand.

  I laugh. “Yes, tomorrow, unless you’re not good at science.”

  “I’ll be there and I’ll be bringing my A game, don’t you worry about it.”

  He watches me until I’m at the side of the school. Turning, I wave to him and he disappears into the woods. Smiling to myself, I open the door as quietly as I can and slip inside. Creeping up the stairs and down the corridor to my dorm room, my heart is racing, and I’m sure if someone was behind me they would be able to hear it.

  When I creep inside the room, Alia is waiting for me. “I want to hear all about it.” She claps her hands and jumps up and down on her bed.

  “Oh my God, Alia. When he met me, he picked me up and spun me around, you know like in those romance movies. It was so cool. Then when we got to the clearing in the middle of the woods, I gave him the strawberry wine, but he wanted me to take a sip first. I didn’t know why until I did it then he kissed me so he could taste the strawberries. He said he could smell them on me when we first met.”

  “Wow. That’s so romantic. You’re so lucky, Ellie. And he’s gorgeous. I bet you can’t wait to see him tomorrow at the Olympiad.”

  “I know. I’ll have trouble concentrating on the questions. I’m sure I’ll just want to look at him.” We both giggle.

  I throw myself down on my bed and I get a text.

  Jake: Thanks for tonight and the strawberry wine definitely tasted sweeter on your lips.

  Ellie: I could smell strawberries on you when you left. I must be rubbing off on you.

  Jake: I can’t believe I came to this school and met you. It makes it all worth it.

  Ellie: I’ve been waiting a long time fo
r you, Jake.

  Jake: See you tomorrow, Ellie. Sweet dreams x

  Ellie: You too, Jake. xx

  I get changed and crawl into bed after an incredible night.

  The next day sees the next challenge, and I’m excited when the bus pulls up with the boys on board. We stand, welcoming them in the vestibule, and Jake smiles at me as he passes. I nod my head in acknowledgement and smile back. My heart does flip flops.

  We sail through the questions and another two people join us in the final team. Just one more session to go and then we will have the whole team.

  The boys come and shake hands with us before going to dinner. As Jake shakes my hand, he squeezes it hard and winks at me. “You played well today, Ellie. You must have got an early sleep last night.”

  I blush. “I got some fresh air earlier in the evening and I slept like a log.” He smiles back at me.

  As he removes his hand, I feel a note. I put it in my pocket as I shake the hand of the next boy. When we move out to the great hall, I read the note. “Will you accompany me to the ball at the end of the Olympiad?” The smile on my face must be so big because Alia looks at me.

  “What does that say? You’re smiling like you’re the cat that got the cream.”

  I show her the note.

  She swoons. “He’s just perfect.”

  “I know. Will you come with me to find the perfect dress?”

  “Ellie, you have a hundred dresses in your wardrobe and every one of them is the perfect dress.”

  “No. I want something that I haven’t worn before. Something especially for Jake.”

  She rolls her eyes but I know she loves to go shopping.

  “I guess I can help you,” she says, laughing.

  After dinner, we say goodbye to the boys and Jake winks at me. As soon as he’s on the bus, he texts me, but I can’t read it yet. We slip back to our room and I check my phone.

  Jake: You looked gorgeous today.

  Ellie: I had no make-up on and my school uniform.

  Jake: I can only imagine how gorgeous you’ll be at the ball.

  Ellie: Thank you for your invite. I’d love to go with you.