TRENT'S POVAs I lay in bed that night, my mind was racing. I couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right - the timing of my brother Tom's accident with Lydia being admitted to the same hospital, also the fact that he was now being treated there, the same facility as Mr. Stewart's ex-wife. It all just felt too coincidental.There had to be some connection, some deeper conspiracy that I was missing. The way my father had reacted when I'd confronted him, the threat to keep me away from the hospital...it all pointed to him being involved in something sinister that I couldn't quite place.I couldn't just sit back and do nothing. I had to get to the bottom of this, to uncover whatever they were hiding. But first, there was something I needed to do - I had to come clean to Ella about what had really happened that fateful day.The mere thought of opening up about the accident sent a chill down my spine. I was terrified of Ella's reaction, dreading how I would find the right words
ELLA'S POV"Take a deep breath, she isn't gonna bite."Amelia stood before me, her eyes lowered as she played with her shirt. "I can't do this. She's definitely not going to forgive me." "Amelia, I accepted you back, and Susan definitely would too. She's not as scary as me, you know." I gave her a playful wink, hoping to ease the tension.I Guided Amelia gently and led her towards the corner where Susan sat with Liam. The two had been bonding surprisingly well, and I was relieved to see that Susan had finally gotten over her crush on him.As we approached, Susan looked up, her eyes widening. "Ella, come sit with me," she said, patting the spot next to her.I pulled Amelia, who was behind me, forward. Susan immediately frowned upon the sight of Amelia. I gently gave her a squeeze and turned to Susan . "Amelia needs to talk to you." "Guess that's my cue to say bye. See you around ladies." Liam smiled at us before darting awaySusan's gaze darted between Amelia and me. "Ella, can you
ELLA'S POV"What did you just say?" Trent's gaze bore into mine.Oh god, the words had slipped out before I could stop them. My heart hammered in my chest as I stared back at him. "I-I...I didn't mean to say that," I stammered.Trent took a step closer, his brow furrowed. "You said you...you love me." I swallowed hard, my fingers tightening around my shirt. "Okay, yes. I fucking love you, Trent. And I'm hating it so much. I fucking hate the fact that I can't stop and it's just eating me up."The words spilled out in a torrent, the weight of my feelings finally unleashed. I squeezed my eyes shut, bracing myself for his rejection.Before I could react, Trent surged forward and wrapped his arms around me, pulling me against his solid chest. The warmth of his body enveloped me, the familiar scent of his cologne flooding my senses. My body went slack as the tension drained from my muscles.Slowly, I lifted my arms to return the embrace, my fingers splaying across his back as I clung to h
ELLA'S POVThe hallway was filled with the roar of hundreds of voices, bodies jostling together in the sea of students. But I barely registered any of it, too consumed by the memory replaying over and over in my mind - Trent's arms wrapped tightly around me, the warmth of his solid chest pressed against my own, the electric tingle of his lips moving over mine.I lifted a trembling hand to my mouth, my fingers ghosting across my tingling lips as if I could still feel the imprint of that kiss. Heat flooded my cheeks at the recollection and the desire unfurling in my belly. How was it possible for one person to upend my entire world with just a simple touch?Trent's husky murmur echoed through my thoughts - "I've always loved you, Ella." The words unlocked something deep within me, laying bare the truth I had fought so hard to deny for far too long. I was in love with him, irrevocably and overwhelmingly in love, and now there was no going back.I was so engrossed in revisiting every heat
ELLA'S POVI was pacing back and forth like a caged tiger, my feet forming a path into the carpet as I tried to calm my racing thoughts. Today was the day Trent had picked to come over for our "first official date" - in my room, of all places. Mom said she would be heading to the shop soon and won't return until morning which will leave me alone with Trent.I tugged at the hem of my shirt, my palms growing clammy as I wondered what kind of date could possibly take place in a teenage girl's bedroom. Were we just going to...talk? Discuss our favorite books or movies? Maybe we'd cuddle up on the bed and binge-watch something on Netflix. Yeah, just totally innocent stuff, right?But then my mind started to wander, conjuring up all sorts of different thoughts, each more scandalous than the last paraded through my mind before I could stop them. Intimate hugs, wandering hands, breathless gasps...Get a grip, Ella! I mentally scolded myself as I squeezed my eyes shut. Trent respected me too
ELLA'S POVRyan's arms were still wrapped tightly around me. At first, I froze, too stunned by the unexpected hug to react. But as the moments ticked by, panic began to set in. This was all wrong - the scent of his perfume, the roughness of his palms across my back, the way his heart hammered against my own. It made my skin crawl in a way I couldn't fully understand.Slowly, I placed my hands flat against Ryan's broad shoulders and gently pushed. "Ryan, I...I'm sorry, but I can't do this," I murmured, my gaze dropping to the floor.To my relief, Ryan finally loosened his grip. He stared at me for a long moment before he finally nodded. "I understand." There was an awkward silence. I couldn't bring myself to meet his gaze, instead fixing my eyes on a spot over his shoulder as I cleared my throat. "I think...I think it's best if you leave now," I managed. "Of course. Thank for that......" He trailed off.I nodded stiffly unsure of how to respond. As he turned to go, he paused at the
ELLA'S POV"It's...it's actually Ryan. My dance tutor is Ryan."The words tumbled out before I could stop them, and Trent narrowed his eyes like he was processing what I said."Ryan?" he echoed slowly. "As in...Ryan Walker? I gave a small nod, scolding myself inwardly. Way to go, Ella."I...yeah, that's the one," I managed, twisting my fingers together anxiously. "He, uh...he's the one who's been giving me private dance lessons." "I see. You never mentioned that before.""Well, it's not like we were that close!" I retorted, folding my arms across my chest. "Ryan offered the lessons after he saw some kind of 'potential' in me while we were performing that play at the hall.""Wait, let me get this straight. Just because of the play we did together, Ryan decided you had...what, some kind of 'mysterious potential'? And you just went along with it and started taking private dance lessons from him? One-on-one?""Of course not!" I shot back. "I'll admit, at first I was hesitant. I mean, wh
ELLA'S POVI sat on the bleachers, my gaze fixed on the court where Trent dribbled the basketball and weaved between his teammates. I smiled as I watched him sink a perfect throw into the net. He high-fived his teammates and as if sensing my eyes on him, Trent turned and grinned at me.I mouthed, "Looking good!""Can I sit down with you?"A soft voice startled me. I turned to find Amelia hovering beside me, her fingers twisting together nervously as she nodded towards the empty space on the bleacher.."Uh, yeah, of course," I stammered, scooting over to make room for her.Amelia sank down beside me, her shoulders hunched, her entire body radiating tension. She drew in a deep breath, her gaze fixed on her hands folded in her lap."Hey, are you okay?" I murmured, leaning in closer. "You seem...I don't know, really on edge about something."She shook her head. "I...I actually have something to tell you," she began, her voice barely above a whisper.My brow furrowed as I studied her prof