The Princess and the Bully (Goldsworthy University Book 1) Read online

  The Princess and the Bully

  Tiffany Ransier

  Indigo Hearts Press LLC

  Copyright © 2021 by Tiffany Ransier

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Ebook ISBN: 978-1-949079-15-9

  Paperback ISBN: 978-1-949079-16-6

  Hardback ISBN: 978-1-949079-17-3

  Published by: Indigo Hearts Press LLC

  Editing: Pretty Little Book Editing

  Cover design: Indigo Hearts Designs

  Created with Vellum

  For anyone who wants to change for the better.

  Blurb and Warning

  Please be advised that this story is dark. There may be scenes that will trigger you. This includes scenes having to do with mental health. If you believe this book isn’t for you, please don’t read it.

  I'm a princess. I was fine with the way my life was – partying all day and night. But my parents weren't.

  Now I'm a student at Southern Goldsworthy University. The best for the rich and elite.

  Heath Goldsworthy, campus heartthrob and oldest son of the Dean, came into my life as the first true friend I've ever had.

  He gave me a new start. Something that I was very grateful for.

  Now he's missing...

  And I'm the top suspect responsible for his disappearance.

  His sister hates me, but his brother hates me more.

  He wants to make my life a living hell until I confess what happened that night.

  But I can't confess what I don't remember.

  And why does he keep messing with my emotions? I hate playing his games.

  The Dean's son doesn't just go missing.

  Someone is responsible and they don't want me to remember.

  I have to find out who before it's too late.

  Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Epilogue

  Author’s Note

  Also by Tiffany Ransier

  About Tiffany

  Prologue

  Mera

  Thirteen years ago

  The rain is coming down hard. Mother says I shouldn’t run in the rain, so we have to hurry and make it to the treehouse.

  “Come on,” I yell to my new friend. What’s his name again?

  I can’t remember.

  It’s a long way to the big tree where the treehouse is.

  “Oh, I see it,” he says. I grab his hand in mine. “Come on, if we hold hands we won’t slip.”

  He smiles and nods. He has a nicer smile than the boys I usually play with.

  It’s really cold when we reach the tree and both of our clothes are soaked. Mother won’t be happy about that. The treehouse helps block some of the water from reaching us. Mother says it’s bigger than what most kids get. That’s all because I’m a princess.

  I walk up to the ladder. “Hey, since this is your first time, you go first.”

  “Thanks,” he says, grabbing the first wooden slat and pulling himself up. Once he’s through the hole, I start climbing up.

  Mother says that way someone won’t accidentally fall on me.

  He laughs. “It’s high up here. This is great. I need to get my dad to make one for me.”

  He looks so happy. At that moment, I realize that he’s kind of cute. I usually think boys are icky. He seems different though. We stand at the railing and watch as the rain comes down. Suddenly I hear a thud. “What’s that?” I ask looking around.

  He points down. “Looks like clumps are coming down.”

  I bend over the railing and spot big white clumps all over the grass now.

  “It’s helling!” I shout excitedly.

  “I think it’s hailing.”

  “Same thing.” I say, crossing my arms together. “The birds are going to get hurt if we don’t get the nest off the roof.”

  I point above our heads. “It’s up there.”

  “How are we going to get it?” he asks.

  If only my sister was here, she’d be able to reach it easily. Without her, one of us would have to step on our tiptoes on the railing and grab it.

  “I’ll just stand on the rail and reach for it.”

  The smile leaves his face and he grabs my arm. “No, let me do it. You might start to feel scared and look backwards.”

  “It’s okay,” I tell him. “I can do it.” Someone needs to inform him that girls are just as strong as boys are.

  “Please, Pinkie. Let me do it,” he says, tugging on my pink hair strands.

  He looks so sad asking. I can’t say no. “Okay.”

  He smiles. “Just give me a kiss before I do.” He puckers his lips.

  “A kiss?” I giggle. “That’s for adults though, at least that’s what Mother says.”

  He makes a shhh motion. “Don’t tell anybody. I can keep a secret. Can’t you?”

  Nodding, I step closer. Closing my eyes, I hear nothing but the rain coming down as I lean forward. Eventually, I feel something warm and slightly wet on my lips. I stay there for a second and then move back.

  “There!”

  His face is red. “I’ll go get that nest now.” He moves to the railing and hoists himself up, one leg at a time. He doesn’t need to stand on his tiptoes like I would.

  “I got it!” he yells and a few seconds later, I watch him crouch down, safely handing me the nest. The baby birds inside it start chirping. I’ll have to put this back when the weather clears or else their mother won’t be able to find them.

  After he hands it to me, I put it down and reach my hand forward to help him off the railing. As he reaches toward me, his foot slips, and I scream as he topples back, falling over the side. “Rain Boy!” I yell.

  I peer over the railing and find him sprawled brokenly on the ground, against a rock with red coming off of his head.

  Oh no. This is all my fault. I scurry down the steps quickly and run for the castle. But after that I never see him again. My Rain Boy.

  Chapter One

  Mera

  Bang bang bang.

  The hell is going on? Why is someone banging on my door? They should know not to disturb me.

  And ouch, why does my head hurt so…

  Oh wait, I got drunk again.

  Peeking an eye open, I’m immediately met with the wooden part of the bar counter, not the tall white doors of my room with the gold around the trim and the matching gold handle.

  I didn’t even make it home last night. Fuck, Mother is going to kill me.

  With a groan, I
place my hands on the floor and maneuver myself to my knees. Almost there.

  Bang, bang, bang.

  Fuck, that hurts. Who’s banging on the door when the bar doesn’t even open until eleven.

  Is it past eleven?

  It can’t be. George would have shoved me right out the door at ten so he could get ready to open.

  Wincing, I reach up to the counter, sit back on my ankles and pull myself up. I can’t believe I fell asleep behind the bar. Usually I sleep it off in the back room or make it home. Why didn’t I this time?

  Oh, now I remember. It must be because of my dear friends V, T, and W. Still sitting on the counter is a giant half drank bottle of vodka, a drained bottle of tequila and at the very end, one of whiskey.

  And this was the second bar. Why did I go so hard?

  Oh that’s right. Mom is still insisting I go on the annual trip around our country with her and Father. I might’ve been okay with it if Cate was coming, but she’s in her last year of Uni and doesn’t want to take time off. Therefore, I refuse to go.

  Stepping around the counter, I spot my three “friends.” Josh, Evelyn, and Amanda. All sprawled out on the floor by the bar and around the stools. They can’t drink as much as I can, but it seems like they drank enough to pass out before going home.

  Their parents will probably be pissed.

  Ha. Too fucking bad for them. And they didn’t get to steal money from me this time because I brought none with me. George put it on my tab.

  They’ve been my “friends” all through middle and high school, yet I’m nothing but an ATM in stilettos for them. Stories that draw on my sympathy, birthday presents for birthdays that are nowhere near close, stealing my card info, and more. Naively, I hoped once I was done with my early years in school that I’d make a lot of great friends and memories I’d never be able to forget. Memories that I’d treasure for years to come.

  Well, it never happened. The only thing I’ve come to realize is that I don’t need them, or anyone.

  With a chuckle, I grab my tiny purse from the edge of the counter and sling it over my shoulder. Bending down, I pick up the clear heels I must have shucked off before passing out.

  If I had to pick a best friend, the only choice would be–

  Bang, bang, bang.

  God that hurts.

  “You’re still fucking banging, huh?” I stomp over to the wooden door, and unlock it with my free hand.

  It’s a miracle that the three of them haven’t woken up from the commotion.

  Pulling the door open, I find a very pissed off expression that looks out of place on the face of an angel. Her platinum blonde hair like my own, with green eyes instead of my blue ones, and nude lip gloss with smoky eyeshadow. How does she manage to look so perfect so early in the morning? I don’t think I’ll ever look so pristine.

  “Sis, I think you’ve really done it this time,” she says gravely, crossing her arms. “Let’s go.”

  A heavy sigh leaves my mouth. Shit. If Cate is this pissed, I’ve really fucked up this time. I should’ve gone home.

  Without missing a beat, she turns her back to me and starts walking without even checking to see if I’m behind her. Her back is straight in perfect posture and her hair, unlike mine, is in a high thick bun.

  Closing the door behind me, I hurry to follow.

  How could two sisters be so different? She’s everything my parents want. Prim, proper, and perfect. And here I am, a riotous mess in her shadow. I’ll never step out from it. It’s something that I came to terms with a long time ago. I don’t despise her for it, though. It’s who she is.

  As we walk along toward the parking area, I can hear the rustling of the bushes across the street. Of course, the paps are out and salivating over whatever details they can twist to suit the news cycle.

  I didn’t even get a chance to look in a mirror. I can see the headlines now, Drunk Princess gets picked up by Lovely Princess. Youngest Princess Goes Wild Again. King and Queen Can’t Control their Little Princess.

  Whatever, fuck them.

  The clicking of her heels echo on the pavement until we reach a lone black sedan parked on the side of the road. There’s barely anyone around, so I’m right in my assumption that it’s still early.

  Our chauffeur, Peter, pops out of the driver’s side as Cate steps around the car to get in the back. By the time he comes around to my side, I’ve already wrenched my own door open, threw my heels in, and plopped onto the seat with a huff.

  Closing my own door with a click, I settle back in the seat and cover my forehead with my right hand.

  “Home, Peter,” Cate orders.

  I feel her gaze on me, burning with disappointment as I turn to stare out the window.

  “What were you thinking, Mera?”

  “I was just trying to have a little fun.”

  “And what about your duties? Did you honestly not remember that we had to be there for the opening of the new royal museum?”

  Oh shit, that was today?

  “Why didn’t you remind me?” I groan.

  “Should I have to remind you of everything?” With a sigh she grabs my hand and places it between hers. Glancing at her out of the corner of my eye, I watch the anger in her eyes fade. “Take this seriously, Mera. You are a princess. Prove to everyone that you’re more than a party girl.”

  “What if I don’t want to? I like the way I am. I like the way things are. And what does it matter anyway? You’re the crown princess, not me.”

  A fact that I’m so very grateful for. Running a country sounds boring and tedious.

  “That doesn’t mean you should act out and bring shame to the royal family. Mother and Father have both had enough, and I’m afraid, my dear baby sister, that this is the straw that’s broken the proverbial camel’s back.”

  “What are they going to do? I’m already finished with high school. They wouldn’t trust me to send me off to the northern and southern castles by myself. What can they do, Cate, really?”

  Scoffing, I cross my arms and watch as we finally start to climb up the hill leading to the palace.

  “I heard the word college mentioned, Mera.”

  “College? They think that’s a punishment. I’ll have Peter drive me, party when class is done, and then repeat every day. They made sure I passed high school, I’m sure they’ll make sure I pass college. What’s the big deal?”

  She lets out a real laugh, not just one of those small tinkling ones she does to seem classy, like a lady. And that scares me more than anything.

  “America? As in the United States of America?”

  “That’s correct,” Mother says, glancing at herself in the mirror.

  I flop down on her bed in the middle of the expansive room and cover my mouth with my hand.

  No, no, no.

  “Father, please tell me I don’t have to go.”

  He fixes me with a regretful look as he removes his bowtie in the opposite mirror across from Mother.

  “Darling, we love you, and because we love you, we let you do what you want. You are our precious Mera. But we can’t let this go on any longer. This constant partying. The constant money draining from those friends of yours. We’ve both had enough.”

  “You need to get out there and find your life, like Mary Catherine.”

  Clenching my teeth at the comparison, I dig my nails into my palms for a minute and then let go. “So three years then?”

  “Four,” she chimes in. “Four wonderful years at Southern Goldsworthy University.”

  Four?! College here is only three years. And even more, that’s her alma mater. I feel like I might’ve said something about that college to the press once. What did I say? Oh well, it doesn’t matter now it appears.

  “That’s not fair!” I retort.

  “It’s plenty fair. You will go there for four years and hopefully grow to be more than this party girl persona. You will figure out what you want to do and when you get back you’ll be a whole new you. If we see go
od behavior, maybe we’ll let you come home during the holidays. Keep in mind, that’s my alma mater and the Dean is under strict instructions to report back to us on your behavior.”

  Good behavior must be code for no outrageous partying and especially no drinking. What the fuck am I going to do then, in America no less? But unless the Dean has eyes all over campus, he won’t know what I’m doing all hours of the day.

  Ugh, this is such a fucking drag already.

  “You will leave tomorrow.”

  What? “That’s too soon!” I yell.

  “That’s too bad. The semester starts on Monday and you don’t want to miss a moment of class.”

  “But Mother-“

  “Wilhelmera, this is final. Say goodbye to your friends and settle your affairs today and be ready to go bright and early tomorrow morning.”

  Anger pools in my gut as tears of frustration fill my eyes.

  “Don’t look too disappointed. The Dean’s son will be there and you guys can go–“

  I cut her off, instead stomping out of their room to be immediately met with Cate. She gives me a small smile and pats my shoulder in what’s supposed to be a comforting gesture, but all it does is make me more furious. I don’t need her comfort. I needed her to be on my side and help stop this. They always consider what Cate says. The door closes with a click.

  Whirling around, I walk down the long hallway, under the high gold ceilings, passing the guest rooms and the few maids dusting and cleaning. Rounding the corner, I finally reach the tall white doors with golden handles and trim. Wrenching it open, I stalk inside and flop on the pristine bed, still made up from yesterday.