Chase's POVAt the moment, everything felt so uncertain.What will happen next, is still an unknown. Will I ever be able to get through this and pull myself back up? I have no idea.I still feel lost and out of character. I am still angry and hateful toward life for this cruel twist in events.But, when she laid her head over my chest like this, when her arms wrapped around me, that wild muscle beating against my ribcage calmed down a bit. The voices throbbing against my skull became a fading echo as a peaceful comfort rushed down my veins, and for the first time today, I felt relaxed.For the very first time today, I could breathe. In and out, without the pain pressing up against my chest.I let my eyelids drop as my cheek pressed against the top of her head and her flowery scent invaded all of my senses.It was insane, how much I felt for this girl. It was even crazier that somehow, she felt the same.She edged her head back a fraction and looked up at me. Her eyes fell on mine, the
Alex's POV"I don't like this one bit," I whined again, the whole situation making me beyond uncomfortable."I know," Ashton replied back, so casually."That doesn't make me like it," I added with an annoyed sigh, and shot him a side glare.His gaze left the road and fell back on me, "I know that too," He added before he looked back ahead of him and continued driving."You know, usually you're the mature one between us," I commented, hating to admit that, "But, this is beyond immature, you freaking threw him in jail," I added, "The boy is not evil, he's just immature and stupid, that's why things ended up here, but if he goes to jail, then, believe me, he will become evil.""I know," He said. God, sometimes I hate him."And he is already eighteen, they won't take this lightly, they may punish him for like two years at least," I added, clarifying it so that his thick brain can grasp it, "You know that he would just blame Chase more for this."He turned to me, and nodded, "I know that t
Zack's POVMy fingers tightened over the ticket in my hand, my eyes tracing the time written in big bold numbers, my brain calculating how much time I have left, wondering if there is one place I can stop by before leaving for good.My gaze flickered from the piece of paper to my uncle, "Your mother also agreed to this," He said, the muscle of his jaw worked as his eyes drifted away, as if he couldn't stand to be here now, looking at me, talking to me."Your bad grades, the drugs, and everything that happened was enough for the school to kick you out," He clarified, and I understood, our Ivy league school won't accept someone like me trashing its reputation, "You'll stay with your aunt in Texas, your papers are already transferred to a school there," He added, totally unbothered, "I am not sure if you will be able to graduate this year, and you already know that you lost the football scholarship for university, so whatever you're gonna do, it's all up to you from now on."The way he t
Two months later...Lilly's POVHappy.I've been happy. So very happy, that it feels surreal at times.It makes me wonder how can one person only make me feel so much at once.The sweetness, the gentleness, the excitement, and the thrill...it's all very overwhelming.I don't want it to end. Can it never end?I took Sally's advice and lived each day, one at a time, not ruining it with thoughts of what will happen tomorrow. At the moment, I really don't care about tomorrow, as long as today, he's by my side and I am by his.Chase has gotten better, much better lately. The doctor says it's a matter of days before he can be discharged for good. They're only keeping him in now to make sure his condition is stabilized.The side effects stopped almost a couple of weeks ago. Still, he went through a lot of pain and it ruined me seeing him face it all. I thought I am not strong enough to stick by him through all the bad, but I did.I kept my promise and stayed. It wasn't even physically possib
Lilly's POVConner washed up, and Sally angrily slumped over the couch, inspecting her lip.The lyrics of the song dad had in the car kept running up my mind, and I involuntarily found myself mumbling them lowly, "Ocean blue eyes looking in mine, I feel like I might sink and drown and-"Chase's weirded-out look had me shutting up. I sighed and shook my head, "It's all dad's fault." A small smile crept up my lips as I looked into his eyes, "Actually, it could be our song, feels fitting."He smiled back and pulled me to his side, he pressed a gentle kiss to the side of my head and I sighed in relief. Aylin can't destroy this, she can't.When Conner came back, he shot Sally a hard glare to which she returned, still holding her broken lip. When he looked back at us, he rolled his eyes, "Can you two not be lovey-dovey all the time?"I pretended to think about it then shook my head, "I don't think we can," I said and pressed a small kiss over Chase's cheek.Conner mumbled something, probabl
Lilly's POV"I told you guys, you didn't have to come here today," Chase told his parents, who dropped by unexpectedly, way to ruin my alone time with Chase, "Conner is staying tonight."Auntie Katherine nodded and sadly mumbled, "I know, but I've missed you," Her eyebrows pulled closer, "Also, I think there is something wrong with your dad."Uncle Ashton looked at her, confused at how she talked about him when he's right there by her side.She gave him a side glance and looked back at Chase, "Yesterday, he made me dinner for example, can you believe that? And in the morning, he made me breakfast again," She said, pretending to whisper to Chase, "I mean he hadn't done that in forever, I think he's not okay."I chuckled at how serious her tone is, she turned to Ashton and her eyes suspiciously narrowed at him, "What are you planning?" She asked, "What do you want from me?"He couldn't help but smile at her expression, with his arm around her shoulder, he pulled her closer, "Well, I jus
Lilly's POVThe feeling pressing up against my heart is cold, so cold. Like concrete drying in my chest.It wraps me in. It invades the part of me that was scared all along.It's unexpected - top of the world one minute and cut down the next.I still feel myself in a haze, drinking in the feedback of the news, my mind in a swirling loop between the past, the present, and what's about to change in the very near future.His parents left after, because today was supposed to be ours. I wanted it to be ours, to make him happy, to celebrate his birthday, and show him that he could still have everything he once had before the drug.Now I realized, he didn't need my little surprises.They weigh nothing in front of this. He is going to have what he wants the most so soon.He is happy. That's the important thing.I kicked everything away and took his hand in mine, dragging him with me and out of the room, determined to keep this day going as planned. Whatever the problem is, it can be dealt wit
MondayChase's POVI gathered my books and notebooks into one box, fitting them all in, and placed them beside my already packed bag before I stood straight and took a quick glance around me, at the room that kept me captive for the past two and a half months.It was supposed to feel like a prison. But it didn't.The people in my life didn't let it be.Inside these four walls, Conner helped me with my lessons every day, making sure I graduate on time. Between these walls, my mother brought me food and insisted I eat it all before she went on telling me about her day. My father stayed right here by my side, discussing my future as a pilot even though nothing was sure yet, with countless nights sleeping on that very uncomfortable couch, even though I begged him not to. He never left me alone.In this room, there was Alex, Cara, Max, and Sally, they all stood by my side. They all visited, they all cared, they all tried to bring a smile to my face. They were all part of the hope that kept
Three days later...Alex's POVNerve-racking. This wait has been the worst wait of my whole life. My nerves breaking down with every passing second and minute.Cara's state hasn't been any better. I've spent the past three days trying to get her to eat and rest but she was beyond thinking logically. I couldn't blame her. They have been keeping Max in intensive care, trying to stabilize his state and they wouldn't even let us see him, which only worsened the situation.I wanted to let the anger consume me like it once did, get out of here and search for whoever did this, but I wasn't going to repeat mistakes I made years ago. I stayed here, by my wife's side, and waited for my son to get better and I let that job...for those who can handle it better.I am going to find who did this and death wouldn't be a sentence I will give them. No, nothing I ever did before will measure up to what I will do for who dared lay a hand on my son and threaten his life and health this way.Ashton, Kathe
Alex's POV"Where are you going?" Cara asked when she saw me putting my jacket on."I don't know," I said, shaking my head, "I have to find him, I will search everywhere, I will go to the campus, I'll call his friends, anything, I need to find him."Something doesn't feel right. I have to see him, make sure he is okay, get him back home, and talk to him about everything else.She nodded, agreeing, "Okay, tell me if you find him, please." She said and my eyes fell on hers, on the redness under them, on the devastation that I haven't seen in so long.I inched closer, my hand rested over her cheek, "I will, cupcakes," I said, leaning closer, I left a kiss over her forehead.I grabbed my keys, my phone and hopped into the car. I started the engine and took off on the road. I had called him a million times since he left, but he didn't answer. As I wandered the streets, I called each and every friend he has, but none of them had seen him nor heard from him.Worry pressed harder and tighter
Max's POV Everything changed.Every fucking thing. Cold slipped through my veins, the words I heard slammed me. One by one, they struck me, battered and beat my mind, like an everlasting penalty, to pay for a crime I didn't commit.I rode down the streets, searching. For what, I didn't know.My fingers tightened over the steering wheel. A shuddered breath burned as I drew it in, my lungs pressing against my ribs, and I replayed everything in my mind, from the very start. From my first memory, up till this day.I know my parents loved me, they never had me doubting otherwise. They didn't need to reassure me, but the thing is, my confidence is slowly being destroyed, my beliefs, in myself, and in those around me are rapidly fluttering due to this.I remember reading a psychology book that said deviant behavior was genetic, and now I worry whether that evil is embedded in my genes. Whether people could tell, somehow, that I'd been created from violence...that maybe one day, I'd be just
Lilly's POVMy whole life crashes right in front of my eyes as Max mutters that word out loud.My eyes only focused on my mother, my heart rapidly breaking in my chest in a way I've never experienced before and I know that this...this would leave a permanent scar forever.The woman who raised me, who scolded me when I was wrong, who stood by my side when I was right, who supported me when I needed her to, who held my hand and guided me through life, who was just so strong and happy and full of life...I never thought that woman could've gone through something like that.I couldn't think of her as someone who was once broken, abused, and hurt.It didn't make sense.Every explanation, every scenario went through my head when Christian showed me the truth about Max, but this...this could've never crossed my head in a million years. This was not an option.It can't be.It just can't be!Oh my god, what did I do?She shook her head, her teary devastated eyes on Max, and she stood in front o
I couldn't wait for the sun to come up, so I can take Max and get the hell away from here. I couldn't sleep at all, not after everything going on. My body felt like it was slowly giving up on me with my disregard to what it needs, from food to at least some rest.I don't know what happened last night between them, whether she stayed here, or if she left, all I know is that I didn't see Chase's face after. On hesitant steps, I left his room, my eyes carefully drifting around, the last thing I want is to run into her.The moment I was about to knock on the room Max is sleeping in, the door opened and I almost bumped into him, "You're also awake?" I asked, keeping my voice low on purpose.He nodded, "I woke up hours ago," he said and I urgently added, "Let's get out of here."His eyebrows pulled closer, "To where?"I shrugged, "Anywhere, just not here," I don't want to stay where I am not welcomed and I am not leaving Max alone.He nodded, "But, I wanna go home," He said, "I want to talk
Alex's POVI couldn't wait any longer. I wanted to give Max space to think things through, to make sense of the new information but I couldn't hold it in any longer. Chase texted me that he took Max to his place and even though it's too late now, I found myself there. I just wanted to see him and just make sure he is okay."He fell asleep," Chase said when he let me into his apartment. I nodded, "I am just gonna see him, that's all," I mumbled and he nodded, before he led my way to the room.My fingers curled over the knob and with a deep breath, I carefully let the door open before I stepped inside. I silenced my footsteps as I walked toward the bed and my eyes fell on him. The comforter had fallen to the ground, probably from how much he tossed and turned, the truth hunting his subconsciousness.I pulled it and covered his body before I sat by the bed's edge, Max's back to me and I let my gaze take him in, "How did you grow up so fast?" I mumbled, and a small smile pulled at my lip
Lilly's POVEverywhere ached. Everything. My brain, my heart, my anxious stomach, and even my face.I swallowed down my tears and gathered enough power and knocked on the door. A few seconds in and Chase opened it, "Hey," I said, my voice hoarse from how much I cried today, "I...uh...I asked your mother to give me your address, I just want to see if Max is here?"He nodded, "Yes, he's inside, come in," He said and gave me space to enter."Thank you," I mumbled lowly as I made my way into the house. The home she was probably talking about. I hoped with everything in me that she wouldn't be here now, I just want to see my brother, that's all. I don't have the energy to deal with anyone else.I stood in the hallway, confused about where to go. My eyes fell back on Chase as he came to a stop beside me, "It took a lot of convincing to drag him here with me," He said and pointed at one of the rooms, "He is in there, he said he wanted to be alone."I nodded and before I could go there, I poi
Alex's POVI didn't know what I was feeling at the moment as I ran after Max. There was pain, there was anger, so much anger but the dominant feeling was fear.Fucking hell, I was terrified.So terrified of losing him. I did everything so I won't have to lose him, so I won't have to stand and have him look at me the way he did. Heartbroken, like I betrayed him, made him live in a lie his whole life.He looked at me, like I once looked at my own father, but I wasn't him, I am nothing like him. I was only trying to protect him, to protect them both from this truth and every fucked up thing it will bring along with it.I couldn't begin to understand Lilly and how she figured it all out. I was too angry to even fathom a single thought. My hand grasped his arm from the back, "Max, wait," I said and he snatched his arm back, "You can't go like this, you need to hear me out," I pleaded out and his bewildered eyes fell on me, eyes that looked so much like Nikolas's at the moment.The hurt in
Lilly's POVBetrayed. Hurt. Tired.So very tired.Real physical pain pressed over my chest as I stared at the man and the woman who gave me life, the ones I loved more than anything, the ones I trusted with everything in me.I trusted them enough to not break my heart.But, they did.Christian's betrayal, his whole lies for the past two years weighted nothing in front of this.Because it hurts ten times more when it comes from those you never thought would hurt you.My heart broke once again as the videos I watched over and over, played behind my eyes, "You're a liar," An anger so big clouded my senses, and that anger made me hate him at the moment, "And you're...you're a killer, dad!"The look that flashed in his eyes only proved that I was telling the truth, that after all those years, he got caught. Anger, shock, and a flicker of fear intertwined within the brown of his eyes, the ones that are just like mine, the ones that once were my home, my safe place, and my comfort.He took a