24 HOURS AFTER JUNIOR YEAR GRADUATION PRESENT DAY CHARLOTTE Whoever said a person’s world couldn’t go up in flames in the blink of an eye deserves an award. It’s the best lie ever told. I’m standing alone, even though I’m surrounded. By the same people who set out to destroy me ever since I sh
SIX MONTHS EARLIER CHARLOTTE 8:34 am. Goddess save my soul. Like I need any more reasons to be laughed at and treated like a pariah at Lupin Prep, my alarm chooses today of all days to not go off at the set time. I shove my cell phone in my backpack, adjusting my uniform as best as I can withou
CHARLOTTEI’ve been cursed.There’s no further explanation for it.One year. One whole year of torture, torment, the most bitter form of mental exertion brought upon me by the same three boys the moon goddess has now destined to be my… fated mates?My life companions?My other halves?All three of t
CHARLOTTE“You always do this, Sean!” The sound of a curling iron hitting the sink counter travels through the closed bathroom door, as Madeline yells on the phone.It’s another one of those days. Another one of those endless arguments she always gets into with her on again-off again boyfriend, Sean
CHARLOTTEI screamed as water filled my ears and nose while sinking deeper into the pool. The sound of water splashing like a cry out to the lingering guests standing by the poolside."Oh my gosh!" One of them cackled, as I flopped flailingly into the water, struggling to breathe. I thrashed in the
CHARLOTTEGetting back to the dorms, there was a huge silence between Mads and I.I huffed, as I climbed to my bed, my damp bikini sticking to the blankets, and forming a wet map made from my boobs and panties. Laying flat on my stomach, I couldn't care less if I was butt naked– I was wearing a biki
CHARLOTTEStaring wide-eyed at the photos of me, pasted everywhere, my heart pounded in anger, my brows ticked as shame clouded my face."Char!" Madeline's sharp voice cut through my haze, bringing my attention to her running figure.Madeline was dressed neatly in her uniform, her hair lifted in a p
Who was he trying to fool? The only person capable of doing shit like this was him, and no one else."I didn't do it, but you wouldn't believe me even if I said it." He said, moving a microscope, and placing some bacteria culture under the film."Of course, I wouldn't believe it, I’m not stupid.""O
Here’s the chapter written from Char’s POV in past tense, with simple and clear language: I trailed behind Taide and Reigh, keeping my distance as they moved through the halls. Their steps were steady and purposeful, and I made sure to stay just far enough behind so they wouldn’t notice me. I didn’
CHARLOTTE I sat on the bed, trying to calm my breathing. My chest felt tight, and my hands trembled in my lap. I couldn’t stop replaying what had just happened. King Aurichad been here, in this room, and now he was gone. But the memory of his cold, cutting gaze lingered, wrapping around me like
CHARLOTTE Caeson shot to his feet as soon as the words left my mouth, startling me. He turned toward the entryway, his eyes narrowing as he stared at the empty space. After a moment, he turned back to me, a deep furrow forming between his brows. Without saying a word, he spun on his heel and strod
CHARLOTTE I watched as Taide stepped away from Sean, smoothly sidestepping him without another glance. Sean looked after him for a moment, but Taide didn’t seem to care. I caught Madeline’s eyes, and she grinned before doing a subtle little happy dance. Her excitement was almost contagious. Taid
CHARLOTTE The seamstress stepped back, letting out a satisfied hum. I stood in front of the mirror, smoothing my hands over the soft fabric of the dress I was wearing. It fit perfectly, hugging my body in all the right places. The sweetheart neckline and shoulder-less design gave it an elegance
The hell?I blinked, trying to understand. Then it hit.He was talking about yesterday, when I’d abruptly questioned him and then walked away without waiting for an answer.“You wouldn’t have participated anyway,” I said, using his analogy as I crossed my arms.“You don’t know that,” he replied.I
CHARLOTTEThe morning light streamed through the tall windows of the dining room, illuminating the grand breakfast spread that covered the long table.I could hardly believe how much food there was—it seemed like enough to feed ten people, if not more. The table was piled high with plates of fresh f
CHARLOTTEThe palace was something out of a dream.No, more than that—something out of a world I didn’t belong to.The long driveway was lined with perfectly manicured gardens, each bush and flowerbed so precise it looked as though someone had sculpted them by hand. Towering trees stood around, thei
CHARLOTTE We had our things packed and ready for the trip. Madeline’s birthday ball was this Sunday and now it was Friday already, the day of our departure. By the time we returned home it would be about a week before our junior year finals. And then, graduation. Which meant that we would be