The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy Chapter 63

And that…that I have one shot to take advantage of this gift Jackson has laid at my feet –

And I don’t know why he did it – maybe as an apology for trying to choke me? Maybe as a thanks for the simple act of inviting him to breakfast?

But for whatever reason he did it – Jackson has opened a door for me to fucking make it into the academy.

His words at the start of the obstacle come back to me as I pick up speed –

“There isn’t any language that prevents you from using other candidates’ bodies as leverage.”

And as my focus lands on the flat expanse of his wide shoulders?

I see exactly how he’s positioned them for me.

As leverage.

With a final burst of speed, I launch myself into the air over Jackson’s head, my right foot landing on flat of his back between his shoulders, and I shout as I straighten my knee and push –

Jackson lets out a yell and stands, acting for anyone who is watching like I did this without his consent – shouting after me and cursing like a damn sailor at the little Shrimp who used him like a damn step stool.

But the leverage, and the fact that Jackson shouted and stood just as my foot hit his back – it only pushed me up higher.

And the boost is everything I need.

I grab the chain about eight feet off the ground, and I grit my teeth, putting every ounce of effort and will into my biceps as I haul myself the final two feet onto the platform at the top.

But two feet? Two feet I can do.

I ignore Graham’s shouts behind me as he calls me a cheater, and Jackson’s pretend curses, grinning like an idiot as I sprint forward on to the next obstacle.

But the rest is cake –And as I cross the finish line ten minutes later, my breath coming in short pants, and glance up at the time?

I grin, because it’s absolutely the best time I’ve ever made – a whole fifteen minutes faster than I’ve ever made it before.

Which means…

I start to laugh a little hysterically now. Because I mean – it’s not a good time, the obstacle course is still by far my weakest test, and it counts for so much in the final ranking.

But I think…I think it just might be good enough.

And as Jackson crosses the finish line a second after me, I swear there’s a little smile on his lips as he glances my way.

I fall in at Jackson’s side as the Lieutenants nod to us, letting us know they’ve got our times, my breath coming pathetically short in comparison to Jackson’s even, controlled breathing.

But neither of us acknowledge it or even say a word as we pass through to the barracks.

Because whatever is done is done.

And only the rankings truly matter now.

Inside the barracks, Jackson still doesn’t speak to me as he moves to his bunk and I go to mine. I glance around, looking for Jesse and Luca and Rafe – Ben won’t have come out yet – but none of them are here. Lieutenants move around the room, barking at us to hurry, and as much as I’d like a second to run to the bathroom and clean up, there’s just no time.

So, I gather my pack, which really just has my spare blanket and my toothbrush kit in it – I didn’t come with any personal belongings, like everyone else did – and head anxiously for the front door and out into the sunlight.

Like everyone else, I head immediately for the line of candidates who already stand in formation, organized according to our ranking yesterday. Everyone stands looking forward, their hands clasped behind their backs like the soldiers they hope to become, their feet shoulder-width apart.A Lieutenant directs me to my spot, a little black dot with a small number 70 painted on it. I exhale, tucking my hands behind my back and lacing my fingers together, assuming the position. As soon as I do, though, I start to peer around, looking for my family and my friends, hoping to hell that everything went okay for them.