Series: Arthur Academy #1
Publication date: April 26th, 2021
Synopsis:
Hendrix
It's funny the things you notice as a child.
Like the way people uneasily glance away from me whenever I catch their eye. Or the way a stranger seems to smile happily at other children, but when I say hello, their smile looks more uneasy than warm...
But as I approach the steel gates to the elite Arthur Academy, I can't help but take a long-awaited breath towards my freedom. Finally, I have the chance to build the life I want. A future. Something that gives me more to live for than the daily beatings my childhood only ever knew. The girl I used to be doesn't exist here. But even as the confidence grows about a life I now have control over, I can't help but feel there could be something else waiting for me here. Something I've never faced before.
And it isn't something I could prepare for.
And preparation is what got me out. It got me here.
I can't afford to lose this opportunity, because if I lose this hand, it's more than just a loss.
It's like not being able to breathe. Not being able to fly.
Paxton
I grip the leather ball in my hand, feeling the weight of the year pressing down on me. If it was just football, I could deal, but with my last name--it's everything else that suffocates me. The Arthur Elite is what they call us, and we each have our roles to play. But my fathers given me the next two years to do what the hell i want without his interference, before he'll owe me and I'll become nothing but his pawn.
After that, when college is done, I dread the life I'll have to lead. The role I'll be forced to play. It should be simple. Just stroll through the steel gates and be the crown they all see; but I can't help but feel there is something lurking beneath the surface. There is something different about this year that I sense inside my dark soul.
And it isn't something I am prepared for; even when staying ahead is the one thing that ensures my next breath.
Because when I lose a hand, it's more than just a loss.
It's like losing a limb. A bird breaking its' wing.
And without that - I can't fly toward freedom.
And my freedom right now, is all I have to hold onto.
Available at:
Excerpt
The intensity behind his gaze was unsettling, so I shrugged and shook my head. "It doesn't matter. I hate you for kissing me and making me like you, even when you give me a million reasons not to."
He takes a slow step toward me, like a predator who's caught his prey. "You like me?"
Shit, I did say that. I take a step back, but he only mirrors me and comes closer.
"Did you ever hear what I said?"
He smiles arrogantly. "Yeah, you said you like me."
"That's all you got from all of that?"
He shrugged, pushing up my glasses slowly. "It's all that matters."
I stare at him for a few seconds, before I see his eyes fall to my lips again. My heart and brain are at war again because no one has ever had my pulse racing like Paxton does. But this can't happen again. I won't allow it. My brain finally kicks into gear, and I force myself to take a few more steps away from him before he can follow me.
"Please don't."
"Don't what?"
"Do whatever you think this is. I haven't questioned you about why you got Austin to watch over me at school. I'm grateful if it means I don't have to worry about Amber getting in my face. It means I can just concentrate on my classes and that's all that matters to me right now. But this. The other stuff..." I add, waving my arms between us. "Just. Don't." I wrap my arms around myself again, the wind sending chills across my skin. He notices, his brow furrowing before un-zipping his Academy sweater and gently draping it over my exposed arms. The gesture so caring, that all I could do was stare up at him as he tucked it carefully around me. He was so gentle almost like he was wrapping a fragile piece of glass, and for one second - I was swept up in it. But my eyes pleaded with his, and I could see so much in his intense gaze that stared back. The lust, the need, the regret... There was so much playing over his face, that I could've taken a million photos. And for the longest time we just stood there, his hands still softly cupping my elbows.
"Why did you do it?" I whispered, quietly breaking the silence.
"Do what?"
"Kiss me? Was it a dare or something? Something to pass the time..."
I had to know. And despite me being terrified of the answer, the seriousness of his expression told me that whatever he was about to say - would be the absolute truth.
"I wanted to."
"But... your girlfriend. Amber..." I muttered questionably, glancing down disappointed in him. "Does that mean nothing to you?"
I felt his hand tug my chin upwards, until my eyes set themselves on his.
"I wouldn't know what it means, because it's not real. None of it is."
I furrowed my brow confused.
He tilted his head, like many things crossed his mind.
"Not everything is as it seems..." He said sadly, his thumb caressing my face where his hand rested. "But if I had you? I know it would mean something."
Holy hell. And here with the words again. I couldn't do this. I wouldn't.
I stepped back again, trembling this time, until his hand fell away.
"Stop saying stuff like that to me."
"It's the truth. And you're one of the only people i find myself wanting to be honest with. You're the only person I can be real with. And in this sea of people, how fucked up is that?" He says, almost defeated. My heart was racing. This was the Paxton I thought I saw days ago.
The one who dropped the façade of being the God of the Academy...
Kathleen grew up in the south-western suburbs of Sydney, where family holidays by the beach and tormenting her two younger brothers, was how she spent her early years. But at the young age of 11, when she submitted a short story to a talented writing competition through the NSW schools program, not only did she win it, but she quickly found a love for it as well.
Throughout her schooling, writing was a hobby, along with sketching and various sports. But fast forward to her adult years when she moved to Europe to follow her husbands field hockey dream, and her love for writing surged to the surface.
Her debut story, Cut, was penned over two years where her hobby seemed to lead to the completion of Pennys' world. The rest of the series came the following year.
Kathleen enjoys writing stories full of self-discovery, emotional journeys and of course, love. Something else she loves hearing from her readers, so feel free to follow her blog or drop her an email.
For signed copies of her novels, more information about upcoming stories, or to follow her blog, please visit her website.
