The Hidden Descendants

Chapter Five

Kingston

They don't just call me King because it's my given name. They call me King because that is exactly what I am around here. To all my peers, I am The King of Valley High. I'm precise, calculated, I give orders and keep everyone in line. Most of all, I'm a very centered and focused person. Well, normally I am. Oddly, the last few days have really been testing that attribute of mine.

I've felt...off, I guess. Since my birthday over the weekend, something has been different. I feel edgy, anxious, and famished.

It's been really hard to maintain my image over the last few days. The only thing anyone has questioned though is my appetite. I've eaten enough in the last three days to feed an army, and yet, my stomach still isn't satisfied.

I've been irritated by things I would normally just sweep under the rug and I've been running enough that I could probably beat our cross country teams with just a snap of a finger. I have all this adrenaline that I'm not sure what to do with. The outside and nature have become my oasis lately. It's the only time I feel just a little bit relaxed.

Not to mention the weird interaction I had today with the unknown girl. Abel and Jackson were messing around with me in the hallway at school this morning. One of them shoved me, causing me to fall off balance into a set of lockers. I bumped into the girl unknown and I got this weird sensation throughout my entire body when my skin connected with hers. When I glanced at her, I had no idea who she was. I've never seen her before. Curiosity got the best of me after that because for the rest of the day and all night, all I've done was think about her and the five seconds that our eyes were connected.

I saw her again at lunch. She was seated with Kelsey Hartman, whom I've known since grade school. Kelsey has never run in the same circle as me, but we've been going to school together since kindergarten, so I at least know her name. This other girl though? I've never seen her. I've never talked to her. I have no idea who she is at all. I asked one of the guys on our way back from lunch if they knew who she was and none of them had any idea. The girl is a complete mystery. No name or anything. It's like she's been invisible the entire time she's been here. Until now, that is. Now I've seen her. Now I want to know who she is. I want to know her name, where she lives, and everything else about her that there is to know.

Aside from her bright-green eyes, and long, mahogany hair. I know nothing. But those eyes. They were the prettiest eyes I've ever seen. I do not get like this over other girls. Don't get me wrong, I've been with my fair share of women, but no one has ever really held my attention long. I've never wanted them to. I don't want them to. I like having my own life. Not answering to anyone- besides myself- is glorious. There are a few girls that like to think they have laid their claim on me and the boys, but we are pretty quick at giving them a reality check. So, why this girl has my attention so much is beyond me. She's stuck on my mind with super-glue. No matter how many times I try, she stays there. I don't like it at all. It would probably be best to just avoid her at all costs, because I really think I'm losing my mind. I expected her to feel that tingling sensation that I had. I don't think she did though, because while I looked at her in curiosity and surprise, she just down right glared at me. Like I was a person who was unknown.

"Bro!" Abel's empty water bottle hits the side of my head with a thunk. "Where the hell are you at? Are you even listening?"

"Huh?" I rubbed the spot on my head that had just been assaulted by a plastic tube. "Oh, yeah. I heard you."

Abel thins his lips at me, unbelieving. "Yeah? What did I say?"

I smirked at him. "That your cousin was able to score you an extra ten cases of beer for the party on Friday."

With a huff, Abel leaned back in his seat. "Whatever. Where the hell is your mind at today?"

Now, it's my turn to huff out in annoyance. "Honestly, I don't know what's going on. But if you find it, let me know. I'm going to need it back. Because whatever this is, I hate it. I feel restless and unfocused."

Jackson shoved his blonde hair back with a hand while barking out a laugh. "Well, if you need a release, I heard Jas is on the prowl again, and has her sights set on a certain King."

I drop my head back on the sofa while grumbling. "Not a chance. I'll never go back to that again."

"What wasn't that good?" Abel waggled his eyebrows at me.

I pick up the empty water bottle and chuck it back at him, except he catches it, unlike I did. "No, d**k. I wanted fun and she wanted me. But not only for one night. God, I slept with the girl one time in sophomore year and she became the biggest pain in the ass I could have for the next two years. I liked her better when she was just a pest begging to be fu-"

"Kingston! Your father and I are going out for the night! Money's on the counter for a pizza or something!" My mother's voice cuts me off just before I heard our front door slam closed. Psh, bye mom.

Jackson shrugs. "I don't know, man. You need a release, and she is someone willing to help you out with that. Maybe it wouldn't hurt just to take her up on the offer."

I shook my head at him. "Nah, man. Not worth it. I'm telling you. I already have to put her in her place enough as it is. Besides, we only have this week left of school. I really don't want to spend it with the entire student body thinking she got me tied down just before the end."

Abel shrugs a shoulder. "I could think of much worse ways to end my high school career."

I narrowed my eyes at him. "Yeah? Then you take her up on her offer. I'm telling you, the worst decision you'll make."

Jackson belts out into laughter. "He tried. He got turned down, because while he has eyes for everyone, she only has hers set on you."

I groan, "Well, it sucks for her. Because it's never going to happen... again." I pushed myself up from the couch. "You guys hanging out for a while?"

I watch as they both glance at each other. Jackson is the one who answers though. "Probably."

"Cool, money is on the counter. Order some pizzas. I'll be back in a little bit." I turned to the door.

"Where you going?!" Abel yells behind my back.

As I opened the door, I gave a reply. "For a run."

"You already had a run. For an hour, before we got here..."

Annoyed, I shouted back, "Yeah, well, I'm going again." Then I slammed the door as I made my way down the stairs.

Like I said, cool, calm and collected isn't in the pages for me right now. But I do need to get it back, and fast. The fact I'm letting my emotions control me isn't great for myself or anyone. I hate this feeling. Hopefully, going on this second run of the day will help. If it doesn't, then I don't know what else to do. I might have to hit up Abel's cousin, get something from him that will help me rest and just shut my brain off for the night.

Yeah, that's what I'll do. I'll go on my run, pray like hell it works, and if it doesn't, then I'll make a deal with the goofy bastard that's related to my best buddy. s**t, this better work.