Sage Slade
There is just something about waking up early in the morning during summer break that leaves a bitter taste in my mouth.
7:45 a.m.
No one can tell me there is nothing more dreadful to look at than the a.m. symbol on an alarm clock. Especially during the time of year when you're not even supposed to see the early morning rise.
I groaned while reluctantly pushing the sheets off me. "I hate my life."
After yawning loudly and stretching violently, I slammed my hand onto the snooze button, then glanced at my motivators. A large painting my Father made for me when I was little of a Supernova (the outcome of an exploded star), the collection of telescopes I've been gathering since I could remember, a three-dimensional solar system Mom and I worked on for an entire month when I was twelve, and a picture of when Gideon (my brother) took me to the NASA Space Shuttle when I was fourteen.
"Alright, I'm charged up!" I yelled, hopping off of the bed. "Today is the day I started learning about space."
Once I found the energy, I took no time heading to the bathroom to get ready for my first College Course in Astronomy. This means I have to make an impression—like if—I'm going into that room with whatever I feel like wearing because I'm not going to class to make friends. So I made the executive decision to wear a graphic tee, my favorite jean shorts, and a pair of vans.
Before I got dressed, I did my daily routine, you know, showering and brushing my teeth and doing my hair. I braided it to the side today because I don't have time to straighten it and because it's super hot outside.
I finished getting ready, I ran downstairs and smelled Dad's famous on-the-go breakfast sandwich. It was made up of pancakes, eggs, and sausage all in sandwich form, kind of like a Mcgriddle from McDonald's but healthier since Dad uses organic foods.
I peeked inside the kitchen. "Is that the great smell of your famous breakfast sandwich?"
Dad looked over his shoulder and grinned. "Why, of course, but that doesn't mean they're for you. I made them for my other family."
"Tell that family they can have you all they want as long as I get my sandwiches." I grinned back, then walked over to him searching for the plate of goods. When I saw the stack of homemade food I didn't hesitate to snatch one away.
Dad chuckled. "You excited kiddo? This is your first college course and at one of the most prestigious schools in the state." This was true. I was accepted at one of the most competitive schools in the state and I haven't even graduated from High School yet. However, as excited as I am about this, the reason I'm on the program for high school students there in the first place is because of unwanted help.
"Of course I am, I'm going to finally be studying Astronomy at a college level," I said, biting into the sandwich. "Anyways are you driving me to school? I need to get going now or I'm going to either be late or lose a front seat."
His eyebrows rose. "Sage honey Mr. Blackstone told you that he's sending you transportation." Dad reminds me and I cringe.
"Can't you take me, I'd prefer not showing up to school in some fancy town car or whatever." I frown and cross my arms. "Gives people the wrong idea about me and I don't want to be associated with snobs."
He shakes his head remorsefully. "I would but he demanded you use the town car."
"He has no right to demand I do anything." I scoffed. "I'm going to call him and tell him to cancel the trip."
Dad stays quiet and goes back to focusing on the remaining food. It sometimes depresses me how much of a tight-leash Greyson Blackstone has on my Father. He has no choice but to be nice and accept orders from that asshole. All because Greyson's father, Richard Blackstone, is my father's boss at one of the many Blackstone-owned establishments.
My cellphone rang two times before it went silent. "You're taking the town car." There was something about Greyson's voice that secreted power and control. It was deep and smooth, the kind that every girl goes gaga for. Unfortunately for me, his tone wasn't exactly charming and instead very and not surprisingly bossy.
"There is no point in me taking the town car. As soon as I get out it'll look sort of suspicious." I explained to him. "You don't need to do this—"
"I never need to do anything." He growls. "Slade, get in the car, you are expected to be here thirty minutes before class and I need you in my office five of those minutes. Understood?"
I rolled my eyes. "Your office is a ten-minute walk from my class and arriving fifteen minutes before class won't guarantee me a seat in the front." Although I didn't believe that myself, I would make any excuse not to see this man. He'd ruin my morning before it even started and right before Astronomy.
"Get. In. The. CAR." His tone was sharp and assertive. Someone is grumpy this morning. Looks like I'll have no choice but to take the stupid car. Maybe I just won't show up to his office.
"Fine," I muttered.
"Thank you." He cleared his throat. "One more thing."
"Yes?"
"If you plan on not showing up to me before class you're going to be unhappy with the consequences that'll come your way, understood?" It's like he can read my mind, what is he? Some kind of Jedi master?
Before he could threaten me more, I hung up and looked at my Dad. "We can run away and change our names, you know?" I remind him of this whenever Greyson ticks me off and this happens daily.
Dad sighed. "Your Mother would want you to live a secure life and for you to study in this field you need money. The money I, unfortunately, don't have." He tells me, then rubs my shoulder. "Now I'm going to school, my other family plans on showing up and I have to feed them."
I chuckle. "You're stupid."
****
Oh
My
Gosh
This campus was GORGEOUS! I've seen pictures and visited it a few times during winter vacation but it looks so vibrant and colorful in the summer. There are students all around on blankets reading or listening to music. With friends or lovers.
It sucks I have to ruin my happiness because I'm forced to see him. Ugh, I wish I wasn't a girl. If I were Gideon, I wouldn't even be considered to be the bride of a Blackstone. Maybe if I became heartless I would be able to stomach vanishing from society and leaving my Father to deal with the wrath of the Blackstones and the Emersons (My Mother's family).
After arriving at the executive wing of the school where the President and Dean were supposed to be, I observed the incredible decor and lavish interior. Everything from the floor to the ceiling looked more expensive than my entire house. The paintings and rugs looked imported, plants were taken care of with pristine effort, and there were beautiful dark tiled floors.
I stopped in front of a large room. The walls were made of glass, but the awesome kind that fogs when you want privacy—Greyson needs privacy? This was sort of weird given that I'm meeting him as a student and our relationship...well, we don't have one of those, so that wouldn't be anything to hide. I looked at the door to make sure it was his and it was because it said President Blackstone on it.
Hesitantly, I raised my hand to knock against the glass door, but before I could do that, it opened. Behind it was a woman who was not only blushing furiously but panting vigorously. Her blouse was buttoned incorrectly and her hair was a mess. She looked at me with wide eyes as she fumbled to put her glasses on and fix her skirt.
"G-Good morning." She says, then storms off down the hall.
Figures he's messing around with the staff here. I almost turn around and head straight to class, but I am reminded that whenever I refuse his requests he becomes ten times the jerk he already is towards me. So I suck in my revulsion and walk into the room.
My knees almost buckled
If there was one thing I hated to admit, it was that Greyson was truly a force to be reckoned with when it came to his looks.
Greyson had ash-colored eyes that were dangerous, sharp, and angrily glaring into mine.
He has a jawline so well-defined and strong it could be used as a weapon. His hair was darker than black, tousled into a tempting and attractive mess. Yet despite everything, he was large, taller than tall and he was lean but notably muscular even in a suit.
His shirt was unbuttoned, revealing an alluring six-pack and he, too, was breathing heavily.
"Why..." I scoffed, then frowned. "Why would you waste my time coming here if you were going to be messing around right before I showed up?" It fumed me how much Greyson was a manwhore, this isn't the first time I've encountered this either. He's never had a shortage of women, but despite that, he is picky when it comes to his partners. That's why the girl who came out of here looked like a sexy librarian out of a porno.
Greyson sat down and ran the tips of his fingers through his hair, pushing the stray strands away from his face. "You have no right to question what I do." He informed me of this like he does every other day. Did I mention I hate him? "Anyways, I need to remind you that our engagement is to be kept hidden, despite my Father's wishes. For there to be no scandal, we must keep this undisclosed."
"Did you think I wanted to tell anyone about our engagement? I don't like you." I narrowed my eyes at him. "You know what, I knew this was a waste of time so I'm going to get going now." I turned around and opened the door.
"Slade." He growls.
My brows furrowed, and I ignored him and left the room because I wasn't in the mood to argue with him. I've got Astronomy to go to. So I closed the door behind me harshly and stomped my way to class.
"...our engagement is to be kept hidden..."
Why would he ask me to come to his office to tell me something stupid like that?
I despise Greyson Blackstone.