Chapter: Chapter 56Monday mornings weren’t supposed to feel this good. But as I stepped into the school courtyard, the crisp morning air and the warmth of the sun on my skin made it feel like—for once—this week might not completely suck. Because for once, the weight of the world wasn’t pressing down on my shoulders. The weekend had been… nice. Good, even.Until it wasn’t.Because there, right near the entrance of the main building, was Ashley.Ashley, Theo’s… well, I didn’t actually know what she was to Theo. But she was definitely something. Something stunning, something confident, something infuriatingly attached to him—literally, if the way she was holding onto his arm was anything to go by.And just like that, all the work I’d done over the weekend, the balance I’d built in my mind, came crumbling down with her very presence.It was laughable, really. She didn’t even live around here, let alone go to our school, which meant whatever she was saying to Theo could have easily been a text. But instead,
Last Updated: 2025-03-16
Chapter: Chapter 55The soft glow of early morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, painting streaks of gold across the bed. The room was quiet, save for the faint rustling of the sheets and the rhythmic sound of his breathing. I wasn’t sure how long I’d been awake, but it had been long enough to just…watch him.Theo.His head rested on my lap, his golden hair catching the light, turning almost ethereal. The faint rise and fall of his chest, the slow flutter of his lashes as he dreamed—it was the calmest I’d ever seen him. A stark contrast to the restless way he had slept last night.His legs were tangled with mine, his body warm against me, like he had unconsciously sought me out even in sleep. Every now and then, he shifted slightly, rubbing against me as if searching for something—like a cat craving attention. A part of me wondered if he would stay this way forever if I didn’t move.It wasn’t the first time I’d wondered what he was dreaming of.I wished I could see into his mind, unravel whate
Last Updated: 2025-03-09
Chapter: Chapter 54The drive to Theo’s place was quiet. Not awkward—just filled with the kind of silence that said everything words couldn’t. Cole didn’t push, and I was grateful for that.By the time we arrived, the house was dimly lit, its towering structure standing against the night sky like something out of a painting. Theo answered the door surprisingly fast, as if he’d been waiting for something. Or someone.His damp hair clung to his forehead, the dark strands curling slightly at the ends. He wore a simple black T-shirt and gray sweatpants, a look so effortlessly casual that it was unfair. His eyes flickered over me, a crease forming between his brows.“What happened?” Theo asked, his voice sharp with concern.I blinked. “Nothing.”He didn’t look convinced.Cole leaned against the doorway, sipping from a bottle of soda like he was watching a rom-com unfold. “She just really wanted to see you,” he drawled, winking at me.I felt my face heat. “That’s not—”“Don’t scare her off, Cole,” Theo muttere
Last Updated: 2025-03-02
Chapter: Chapter 53I spent the entire day trying not to think about what happened last night. It was a pointless effort. My mind kept circling back to it—every word, every expression, the way Theo looked at me, the way I walked away from him. The way he let me. It was a mess, and I hated how much I couldn’t stop thinking about it.I stared at my phone screen, ignoring the text from Hailey asking about last night. She was probably expecting a play-by-play, but I didn’t know how to answer. I still didn’t know what to feel.Then, there was a knock at my door, and I knew instantly who it was. Hailey, of course. I opened it, and she waltzed in like she owned the place.“Spill,” she demanded. “So, who are we shipping you with now? Jin or Theo?”I raised an eyebrow. “I’m glad my ‘love life’ is so amusing to you.”She just shrugged, her eyes dancing with mischief. “Hey, at least you’re giving me content. So, what happened last night?”I'm telling you, she has a talent for sniffing out drama like a bloodhound.“
Last Updated: 2025-02-23
Chapter: Chapter 52I barely have the chance to breathe before Hailey starts her interrogation.“So…” she started, dragging out the word as we walked out of Jin’s apartment building. “You and Jin, huh?”I sighed. “Don’t start.”“Oh, I’ve already started,” she says, grinning. “That man literally lifted you up and twirled you around like you were in a rom-com. And you let him! Which means something.”“I was just being friendly,” I muttered, staring straight ahead.“Right, and I’m the Queen of England.” Hailey smirked. “You should’ve seen your face when you saw him, Cora. You practically lit up.”I scoffed. “I did not.”“Did too,” she sang. Then, in a more dramatic voice, she clutches her chest. “‘Oh Jin, you’re back! Your hair! Your smile! I feel whole again!’”I shoved her lightly. “Shut up.”She laughed but didn't let up. “So, are you gonna tell me how you feel about him? Or are we pretending this doesn’t exist?”I hesitated. Because the truth is… I don’t know. Seeing Jin again did make me happy. And hea
Last Updated: 2025-02-16
Chapter: Chapter 51Chapter 51His lips brush against mine, soft at first. Almost hesitant.Then, like something clicking into place, the hesitation disappears. His fingers tilt my chin, deepening the kiss, pulling me closer—so close I can feel the warmth radiating off him, wrapping around me like a second skin.My heart pounds in sync with his. I can feel it.I can taste it.Theo.I don’t want it to end. I want to stay here forever.A harsh beam of sunlight pierces through my window, dragging me out of the dream like a riptide. My eyes snap open, my breath coming in shallow gasps as I stare up at the ceiling, disoriented.For a few blissful seconds, I’m still there. In the guest room. In his arms.And then reality comes crashing down.The room around me is cold, empty. My bed untouched on one side. My phone sits on the nightstand, screen dark and silent.No messages.No missed calls.Nothing.I exhale, forcing myself to sit up even as a sinking feeling settles in my chest. It’s been days since that nigh
Last Updated: 2025-02-09