Stuck

By Olivia Ashers

When I find out my elite boarding school is going on lockdown and my dad can't come and get me, I realize catching the virus that's quickly spreading around the world isn't what I should be afraid of.

Cruel and heartless, Zane Wynn is the terror and the king of the school, and I'm stuck with him, so I do my best to avoid him.

But then I make a mistake.

Instead of ignoring his bullying, like any sane person who wants to survive would do, I fight back.

Now I have exactly what I didn't want: his full attention.

He wants to make me his, and not even the rule of staying six feet away can save me from him...

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A standalone dark quarantine high school bully romance. Mature language and content, potentially triggering situations.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Olivia Ashers
• Release date: Jun 29, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201700508

Book preview

1

I ran my finger over the passage that I was reading once again, but the noise coming from the hallway made it impossible for me to focus.

What the hell was going on?

Closing my book, I let out a frustrated breath and hopped to my feet. I stormed to the door and yanked it wide open, ready to ask whoever was making such a fuss to cut it out or go somewhere else.

Usually, I didn’t have to worry about a situation like this one because this was Corralton Elite Prep, one of the best boarding schools in the country, and no one had come here to have fun instead of learning. The rare few who’d been forced to attend by their rich parents tended to sneak out of the school, or go party and make a mess somewhere else.

I opened my mouth and froze, my brow furrowing. Students were rushing about, and some were dragging their suitcases. I blinked.

Had I fallen asleep, and was this a dream? Because what I was seeing just didn’t make any sense. Where was everyone going?

The school year wasn’t over, and we had exams to prepare for. It wasn’t the time for school trips or a vacation either.

A girl raced past me with her suitcase half-open, some of her clothes hanging out. She still had her uniform on—a white dress shirt with the school’s crest and a pleated skirt—and she was one-handedly typing something on her phone.

Amaya! My best friend’s voice calling my name caught my attention in all the chatter.

Jenny? I craned my neck because another student stepped in front of her, blocking my view.

Hey! Jenny finally reached me, her chest heaving. She and I were like opposites, because her short hair, which was now in disarray, was blonde and her eyes blue, while I was a long-haired brunette with dark brown eyes.

Her brow furrowed as she took me in. Are you staying or leaving?

What? What’s going on?

What do you mean what’s going on? She stared at me as if I were slow. If you’re not planning on leaving soon, then you’ll have to stay here. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to stay trapped at school during the lockdown. It’s one of my worst nightmares. That’s why I’m going home.

Lockdown? I must’ve hit my head and woken up in a different universe, because I had no clue what she was talking about.

Where the hell have you been the past few days?

Um, in my room, mostly. I bit down on my lip.

Since exams were getting closer, I wanted to do some extra work to be ready. My school had a special reward system, and I’d collected enough points to get a week off, during which I didn’t have to attend any classes.

I’d only gotten out of my room to stretch my legs and grab some food from the cafeteria. And I’d eaten outside or brought my food to my room.

Oh, my god! Jenny gaped at me. Have you checked the news or talked to anyone?

I shook my head.

When I was studying, I didn’t want any distractions, and if I visited a news website, soon I’d be browsing around and not doing any work.

I didn’t have many friends either, since everyone here was very competitive and mostly focused on their own studies, and I rarely went to any socializing events, like parties or school dances.

My only goal was to become as successful as my mom and dad, and maybe even start my own business rather than just wait to inherit everything from my family.

So you haven’t heard that there’s a global pandemic going on right now? Jenny asked.

What? A pandemic?

Please let it not be zombies. I’m not ready for a zombie apocalypse.

If people were actually leaving the school, then it had to be something serious.

Yeah, it’s some kind of respiratory virus. No one really knows much about it, and people are dying, so a lot of countries are going on lockdown to slow down the spreading. I don’t know about you, but I’m out of here. My mom already sent a driver to pick me up. If I’m going to be stuck somewhere, it’s going to be in my own room at home, not here. Her phone vibrated and she quickly pulled it out. Gotta go! I’ll text you later, okay?

Yeah. It was all I could say before she stormed down the hallway.

A virus? A global pandemic? Lockdown?

How the hell had that happened?

I hurried back into my spacious room and closed the door, my stomach doing nervous flips. My phone was on my nightstand, and I grabbed it, wondering why my parents hadn’t called me.

But as I tapped the screen, I realized I’d turned it off so I could study in peace and so I wouldn’t be tempted to use it. Shit!

As soon as the screen came on, a bunch of messages popped up. My fingers shook as I dialed my dad’s number.

My parents were both very busy people, but it was more likely that my dad wasn’t in a meeting at the moment, although if what Jenny had told me was true, I had no idea what was going on in the world.

Honey? My dad’s voice instantly gave me some relief.

Dad!

I tried calling you, but your phone was off. Are you okay?

Yeah. I turned it off because I was studying, but then I heard there’s a pandemic and everyone’s leaving, so I was wondering if you can come and get me. I didn’t want to stay at school either, away from my family.

My dad was quiet for a few moments. Honey, I’m really sorry, but you’ll have to stay at Corralton. I’m stuck in France. Your mother’s in London. I don’t think either of us will be able to make it home, and you—

Can’t you send your plane for me or something? I can wait for you at home. I didn’t mind being alone with the staff in our mansion until my parents returned.

Unfortunately, my pilot’s in self-isolation because he might be positive for the virus. Flights are canceled. Airports are closing too. And even if I could find a way to get to you or send someone, I don’t think it’s safe. I’ve been in contact with a lot of people, just like your mother. In case we caught—

Dad, no! Don’t say that. You’ll be fine. We’re all going to be fine.

Yes, of course. Don’t worry, honey. You should stay at school. I’ve spoken to your principal, and I assure you that the school is the safest place for you right now. The principal will make sure that you have everything you need.

Dad, please! I don’t want to stay here. I want to be with you and Mom.

We want to be with you too, but, like I said, it’s not safe for you to travel all the way home, and I don’t want you to get stuck somewhere on your way. I also don’t want to risk accidentally exposing you to the virus.

I let out a sigh. Okay.

This will end soon. You’ll see. It’s not as bad as it sounds.

Really? Because people are yelling in the hallway and running away as if the school was on fire. If we’re going to be on lockdown, it has to be bad.

Honey, the lockdown will buy scientists and doctors enough time to learn more about the virus and how to treat it, and it will ensure the hospitals aren’t overcrowded. There’s no reason for panic. Just be patient and follow your school’s instructions, okay?

Yeah, okay. What choice did I have?

Good. I have to call your mom now. She should be out of her meeting. I have to check what her plans are. We’ll talk later, all right?

Sure. My dad’s calm tone was definitely helping.

Maybe things weren’t as bad as they seemed. My dad was right. My school was safe, and my dad and my mom would find a way to stay safe too. There was nothing to worry about.

Bye, honey. Love you.

Love you too, Dad.

As soon as he ended the call, I opened the web browser on my phone. My brain could focus on only one thing now, and it was the virus.

I had to find out as much about it as I could. Knowledge had always been one of the things that I craved, and getting informed about this mysterious virus was exactly what I needed to do so I wouldn’t freak out.

Soon, I found myself scrolling through countless news articles, scientific research, numbers, tables, potential symptoms, and even conspiracy theories. My head was buzzing from all the information, and when my phone battery was about to die, I had a feeling that I knew even less than I had when I started.

I sprawled on my bed, staring at the ceiling. What the fuck was going to happen now?

At least it wasn’t zombies.

2

The hallway was completely quiet and empty when I got out of my room. The principal had called everyone who’d decided to remain at school to the auditorium so she could explain how things were going to work for all of us here in these strange times.

Most students had gone home, and when I entered the auditorium, it was unusually empty, only two or three students sitting in one row.

One of the teachers indicated for me to sit down, and it looked like he was trying to make sure that there was enough space between the seats so we wouldn’t sit too close to each other.

I took a seat and clasped my hands on my lap. The panic and fear I’d initially felt was gone, but I still couldn’t shake the feeling how weird this whole thing was. A part of me sort of believed it was all just a dream, but I knew better than that.

The principal offered everyone a big smile, but I was close enough to be able to see the weariness around her dark eyes. This situation wasn’t just new to us—the students—but to everyone, including the principal and our teachers.

When she started her speech, I looked around, trying to spot any familiar faces, but it wasn’t a surprise that I didn’t really know any of the students.

I’d seen a few of them in my classes, but I hadn’t spoken to them unless I’d had to do it in class or for a project. Still, for some weird reason, I didn’t feel alone. We were all in this together.

I know this is stressful for everyone, the principal said. And we’ll do our best to make sure you have the support you need. We have no reasons to believe that anyone in this building was in contact with someone carrying the virus, so I assure you that you’re all safe here and there’s nothing to worry about. We will have to make a few adjustments, though. There will be some new rules.

Someone booed on the other end of the room, but I couldn’t see who it was.

I know you don’t like rules, but this is very important, the principal said. Until we can arrange for you to get tested, you should keep a six-feet distance when you’re in the cafeteria or passing through the hallways or any common spaces. You’re not allowed to visit each other’s rooms, and the library and the study room will be closed for students. You can still borrow books, but the process will be different and our librarians will give you all the details about it.

I supposed that also meant any group projects were canceled for now, since we couldn’t work together if we had to stay six feet apart.