Free Ode to the Queen by Kyleigh Castronaro Page A

side I was on, slipping herself between Aidan and I. Pushing her arm through his, guiding him away toward the deck everyone was lounging on. I shook my head to clear the disbelief before taking after them slowly.
    While everyone greeted Aidan as he went past only a few people acknowledged my arrival, mostly the servers who I guessed had been paid to welcome everyone to the party.
    I helped myself to a cocktail from Dana’s tray and smiled at her, “got a bit lost getting here.”
    “I assumed. But I’m glad Aidan helped you.” She raised an eyebrow almost questioningly but I didn’t bother to acknowledge it, only walking away to see who else was there.
    I was sure that she thought that I was sleeping with Aidan behind everyone’s back. Something about that made me uneasy, as though she was going to go and tell everyone. Then I’d have everyone looking at me like I was some easy girl.
    Then again, that would be rather hypocritical considering my absolute certainty that any of the girls in this room would jump at the chance he had offered me last night. Nonetheless the idea that someone would spread the rumour that we were having a torrid love affair behind closed doors made me uncomfortable.
    Charlotte certainly gave me the impression she thought something along those lines. She had cut me off from him and had yet to let go of his arm completely as she led him around to say hi to everyone. He didn’t seem bothered by it either; almost enjoying the attention the other girls were giving him.
    But Charlotte’s clinginess set my stomach in knots of jealousy, a feeling I wasn’t entirely content with.
    I wanted to do something rash like push her in the pool and grab him myself; the suddenness of this violent and vengeful thought surprised me. Even the urge to follow through was strong and surprising. No one had ever made me feel this possessive and desirous before.
    I’d almost forgotten about my plan to make Aidan jealous, his “beautiful” comment having thrown me for somewhat of a loop. But when I saw a boy making his way over to me, a charming grin on his face and the features of an angel to match, it all came rushing back. I put on my brave face, preparing myself mentally for the work that needed to be done in order to initiate the plan. This would be exactly the sort of revenge I was fine with dishing out.
    “Hey.” He said, coming to a standstill at my side. The once over he gave me wasn’t lost, due to his lack of subtly but I just smiled, comforting myself with the idea that this would be easier than ever.
    “Hi… I’m Savannah.” I offered my hand and smiled. He quickly shook it before letting go, seemingly not the handshaking type.
    “Hunter. I don’t think we’ve met before.”
    “Nope.” I laughed flirtatiously, shaking my head doing a quick examination of him myself before settling back on his face. He was tall, more than a foot taller than me and athletically built.
    Upon first glance I would’ve guessed that he was a surfer. His naturally dirty blonde hair was tinted with grown out blonde highlights and a couple days without showering had left his face sprinkled with stubble. His accent completed the image: he was a stereotypical Bondi Beach Aussie.
    He lacked a shirt due to the nature of the party but his board shorts contributed to the whole beach bum vibe I got from him. When I thought about it, he probably was a surfer given the fact that he was Poseidon.
    “I recognised you though from all your statues.” I teased, nodding in the direction of the marble bust closest to us. He laughed, though not in a way as to suggest he was embarrassed.
    He nodded, “yeah, I think Atlas went overboard in designing this place. Everywhere I turn I see myself. Not that bad. I don’t think, at least.” He flashed a bright smile before offering me his arm, the charm of the action seeming false with his otherwise jock type personality.
    “Let me get you a sausage or something.” There was a smirk