CHARLOTTE Caeson left for the palace that same night. I tucked my feet under me and reached for the TV remote, as I pondered over everything that happened yesterday. In the few seconds it took for me to turn on the TV, I caught sight of my bitter expression on the reflection of the TV. I hated
Reigh finished my sentence for me, nodding, “I’d be here. What’s wrong?” I paused and tried to think of the most delicate way I could broach this topic without coming off whiny and needy, but then again, that was exactly how I’d been acting, and feeling these days. “Something is going on with me
CHARLOTTE I made my way downstairs with my hand on my throat. My emotions were a confusing mess within me and try as I might, I couldn’t pin a single one down. I felt my heart pound, and an uneasiness filled my entire being to the brim. I wasn’t sure how I managed to put one foot in front
CHARLOTTEI tried to keep myself occupied the entire day. It was the only way to keep my mind off the situations unfolding around me. The realities I’d been trying so hard to wrap my head around while avoiding them at the same time. But one thing I had to keep reminding myself of was the fact that
I looked at him, confused, “Do what?” He shook his head repeatedly. Then his eyes shifted to mine. “Do you want an explanation for what you walked in on?” I drew back, caught off guard by the bluntness of his question. My tongue felt heavy. It was taking everything in me not to stomp my foot and
CHARLOTTTEThe question was loaded as it hung in the air between us. I didn’t let myself breathe because suddenly, I felt suspended mid-air, trying desperately to find my footing. He could brush me off, give me an answer that proved just how way over my head I had gotten. He could do it, and we co
“And because of that, whenever we were near each other, I was always reminded that those things you said to me in the auditorium three months ago were all true,” he said. “You weren’t just saying it for dramatic effect, Charlotte. You really hated me.” He gave his head a half shake. “I had to face t
CHARLOTTEI lifted my hand to knock, then dropped it after a second of hesitation. I really shouldn’t have been there. After the conversation we had yesterday, the last thing I should’ve been doing was sneaking over to his room and pacing around, hoping and praying he would let me in. But there I
CHARLOTTEI glanced up at Caeson, catching the steady, unreadable expression he always wore. His gaze held mine, cool and unwavering, and for just a moment, something fluttered in my chest.I quickly shoved it aside, clearing my throat.“She’s staying then?” I asked, looking around the room. “We all
CHARLOTTE I watched the cat nibble on the can of tuna I’d placed on the kitchen island, its tiny pink tongue darting out to lap at the edges.Its fur was such a soft, dark fluff, and as I scratched behind its ear, it leaned into my hand, purring softly. I smiled to myself, feeling an unexpected war
CHARLOTTE I watched the cat nibble on the can of tuna I’d placed on the kitchen island, its tiny pink tongue darting out to lap at the edges.Its fur was such a soft, dark fluff, and as I scratched behind its ear, it leaned into my hand, purring softly. I smiled to myself, feeling an unexpected war
CHARLOTTE I pulled my curls into a bun as I walked down the stairs, my feet moving slowly against the wooden steps. The house was quiet, too quiet, but that was normal these days. My thoughts were scattered until a flicker of movement caught my eye. A flash of black streaked across the foyer. I st
CHARLOTTE Taide was growing out his hair. I sat on the edge of my bed, watching him lean over the mirror on my dresser. His hands combed through his dark hair, smoothing it back and letting it fall forward again. It was longer than I’d ever seen it, and I wasn’t sure how I felt about it yet. S
A childish part of me felt like defending that Emma had started it, but why did it matter? It shouldn’t matter and I tried to make myself believe that. Taide’s attention shifted away from the menu to me, and I cleared my throat before turning my gaze from Caeson and down to the menu like I had
CHARLOTTE After a short drive, Taide pulled up in the parking lot of the small restaurant that was a hotspot amongst students in the area. The main area was rowdy and full of students eating and talking loudly, but Taide led me past there and into a quieter, more ambient area. It was still c
CHARLOTTE Taide held the door open and shot me a knowing look. But I didn’t move, I remained in one spot, crossed my arms and pouted. “But Taide—” “I don’t want to hear it,” he cut me off, his expression deep and serious. My lips snapped shut, I sensed that there was no point in arguing. So, wi
I pulled them both back into the house and then to the kitchen. With a small exhale, I let go of their hands, immediately missing the comfort and warmth their touches gave me. “I need to find Madeline,” I told them. “Do you know if she’s back?” Just like Taide, she’d been gone almost all day. Rei