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Chapter 39: A Setup
Last Updated:
2025-04-23 00:44:26
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Coming Out of the Deep Chapter 40: Genuine
Lux's POVThe ride through Silverglade was breathtaking. After leaving the stadium and the chaos behind us, Reed suggested we stop for ice cream, which we did. There was this cute little roadside stand with the aroma of sugar and waffle cones dancing in the air. He chose mint chocolate chips, while I went with salted caramel.We talked as we drove, and the blur of streetlights and people faded, leaving only the quiet edges of town. Silverglade looked stunning in the evening light. And I stared out the window, watching everything pass by.Reed followed a winding road up a hill surrounded by trees that arched slightly over the road. The way the light hit them made them appear almost enchanted, and I pointed out the trees with curiosity. “What kind are those?” I asked, leaning forward to take in the long trunks and far-reaching branches.“Those..” he said, his eyes flicking between the road and me. “Jacarandas. You’ll see them bloom soon, purple flowers everywhere. My father refers to th
Last Updated : 2025-04-23Coming Out of the Deep Chapter 41: Played
Lux's POVReed looked at me as he ended the call, his expression changing to apologetic in a matter of seconds. “Hey, I'm really sorry… I need to go somewhere. Right now.”“It’s okay. I understand.”"I promise to make it up to you," he said quickly, and I nodded again, smiling slightly. One of the guys nearby must have overheard and chimed in, "She could hang with us; I will drop her off later—""–Absolutely not," Reed interrupted before the guy could finish, giving him one of those long, knowing stares that made me look between them both.Charlotte's words returned to my mind. They are all players. I shook the thought away as he gently touched my arm and motioned for us to leave. We turned and walked away, back towards his car. I could sense the tension in the air, as if he was half in his head and half trying to hold it together.“I really am sorry,” he said again as we reached the car. “It’s fine,” I replied. I was actually getting into the racing thing, but whatever was pulling hi
Last Updated : 2025-04-24Coming Out of the Deep Chapter 41: Excuses
Third-Party POV"I'm stupid for being heartbroken," Lux said. And Lake froze before the eggs in the pan sizzled and popped forgotten. He walked around the counter and wrapped his arms around Lux, engulfing her in a firm, protective hug that she fell into.Something twisted deep inside his chest. He was familiar with Alec and his friends' operations, having heard their stories when Alec returned home during breaks, the bravado, the casual bragging, the way girls were reduced to themes and moments. But he had hoped Alec would not pull such a stunt with Lux, knowing how much Lake cared for her.Lake's jaw tightened, and Lux gently drew back, just enough to look up at him, as she told him everything that had happened, including how Alec behaved as if he had never seen her before, how it broke her heart, and finally about Charlotte.She told Lake everything Charlotte said about Alec and his friends. But she paused as Lake's face turned red, and his eyes hardened with each word she said.Sh
Last Updated : 2025-04-25Coming Out of the Deep Chapter 1: Silverglade Academy
Lake A rush of excitement coursed through me as I stepped off the jet at Silverglate Airport. I couldn’t believe I was finally here, ready to start my varsity journey and embark on a new chapter of my life. Alec and I hurried to the curb, where our ride awaited us. As we got in the car, I could not help but feel both nervous and excited. This was the first time I was so far away from my family and the familiar comforts of home, but the excitement of all the new experiences that lay ahead quickly drew me out of it. As we began driving through the city, I realized it was even more beautiful than I had imagined, and there was a sense of freedom in the air. My cousin Alec was in his fourth and final year, and he told me that life was fast here. "Wow!" I marveled at how the city sparkled at night. It was one of its most striking features, and as someone from a small, quiet town, it captivated me. It also made me understand why Alec almost failed his first year. Silverglate was syno
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Two days earlier Neridia Kingdom Prince Kairos "Are you ready?" Father asked, to which my brother and I enthusiastically responded, "Yes, sir!" This was the day we had been waiting for, and we were ecstatic. We were heading to Silverglade, where we would study for the next two years. We had grown up and spent our entire lives in the ocean, as future kings, constantly in the spotlight and under the scrutiny of our parents and the general public. We enjoyed our lives, but sometimes the pressure got to us. This was our opportunity to relieve some of the pressure, as we would not be known as princes where we were going. As part of our disguise, my brother and I had to wear contact lenses all the time to hide our golden eyes, which were a defining feature of us, and Father reminded us of this. Otherwise, we appeared human, albeit taller than the average human, which was not a problem. We also went by Kairos and Darian Neridia because we were required to have a last name. Merpeople
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Kairos My brother and I entered the club and the music's throb struck us like a wave. It was harsh, electric, and unrelenting; it had nothing in common with the melodic songs of the currents or the soft murmur of the sea. Reds and blues danced across the walls and reflected off a huge, mirrored ceiling as lights flashed in frantic bursts. For a moment, I could not tell if we had entered a celebration or a battlefield because of the chaotic way the bodies moved together. I looked at Darian, and for once, he seemed as out of place as I did. His shoulders were stiff, his usual confidence drained by the sheer force of it all. We were laughing a minute ago, teasing each other about who could blend in the best. We believed we were prepared. But now, standing in this room packed with people, their energy crashing over us like a storm, I was not sure we were prepared. The air felt heavy—almost too thick to breathe—and I was sure that if I could smell scents, they would be mixed and d
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Lake My eyes were wide as I stammered but before I could find my words, his lips crashed into mine, stealing the breath from my lungs. The sensation silenced everything—the pounding music, the crowd behind us, and the racing thoughts in my head. The wall hit my back with a cold jolt, but it did not matter. His warmth consumed me, his hands pressing against my sides with a desire that mirrored mine. My fingers instinctively gripped his shoulders, pulling him closer as if letting go would send me plummeting. The kiss deepened, each movement more urgent than the last as if we were making up for all the moments that hadn’t been ours. His lips were firm but soft, his touch desperate, and when his teeth brushed against my lower lip, a shiver ran through me, leaving me completely undone. I gasped for air when he finally pulled back, though it felt like I’d lost more than my breath. His forehead pressed against mine, and in the dim glow of the club lights spilling through the doorway,
Last Updated : 2024-12-02Coming Out of the Deep Chapter 5: Dead
Lake “Lake… hey, are you OK? Lux's concerned voice finally snapped me out of my trance. I blinked, still cold from the events unfolding before me, and she quickly followed my gaze, her expression nearly matching mine as she took in the scene in front of us. "What the hell?" she whispered, causing the guys she was with to ask what was going on. She opened her mouth to respond, but I interjected, saying it was nothing and that I needed a drink. One of the guys suggested we go back to the bar, at which point Lux wrapped her arm around my waist and looked up at me with sad, stunned eyes. She must have figured out why I did not come back inside and realized I was with Kairos—the same Kairos who was now all over someone else.Plus, despite trying to walk straight, I was pretty sure she could see the limp in my step. My ass felt like it was on fire. I tried to fake a smile in response to her touch to hide the devastation inside me, but even I could tell I was doing a bad job. I was dead
Last Updated : 2024-12-13
Latest chapter
Coming Out of the Deep Chapter 41: Excuses
Third-Party POV"I'm stupid for being heartbroken," Lux said. And Lake froze before the eggs in the pan sizzled and popped forgotten. He walked around the counter and wrapped his arms around Lux, engulfing her in a firm, protective hug that she fell into.Something twisted deep inside his chest. He was familiar with Alec and his friends' operations, having heard their stories when Alec returned home during breaks, the bravado, the casual bragging, the way girls were reduced to themes and moments. But he had hoped Alec would not pull such a stunt with Lux, knowing how much Lake cared for her.Lake's jaw tightened, and Lux gently drew back, just enough to look up at him, as she told him everything that had happened, including how Alec behaved as if he had never seen her before, how it broke her heart, and finally about Charlotte.She told Lake everything Charlotte said about Alec and his friends. But she paused as Lake's face turned red, and his eyes hardened with each word she said.Sh
Coming Out of the Deep Chapter 41: Played
Lux's POVReed looked at me as he ended the call, his expression changing to apologetic in a matter of seconds. “Hey, I'm really sorry… I need to go somewhere. Right now.”“It’s okay. I understand.”"I promise to make it up to you," he said quickly, and I nodded again, smiling slightly. One of the guys nearby must have overheard and chimed in, "She could hang with us; I will drop her off later—""–Absolutely not," Reed interrupted before the guy could finish, giving him one of those long, knowing stares that made me look between them both.Charlotte's words returned to my mind. They are all players. I shook the thought away as he gently touched my arm and motioned for us to leave. We turned and walked away, back towards his car. I could sense the tension in the air, as if he was half in his head and half trying to hold it together.“I really am sorry,” he said again as we reached the car. “It’s fine,” I replied. I was actually getting into the racing thing, but whatever was pulling hi
Coming Out of the Deep Chapter 40: Genuine
Lux's POVThe ride through Silverglade was breathtaking. After leaving the stadium and the chaos behind us, Reed suggested we stop for ice cream, which we did. There was this cute little roadside stand with the aroma of sugar and waffle cones dancing in the air. He chose mint chocolate chips, while I went with salted caramel.We talked as we drove, and the blur of streetlights and people faded, leaving only the quiet edges of town. Silverglade looked stunning in the evening light. And I stared out the window, watching everything pass by.Reed followed a winding road up a hill surrounded by trees that arched slightly over the road. The way the light hit them made them appear almost enchanted, and I pointed out the trees with curiosity. “What kind are those?” I asked, leaning forward to take in the long trunks and far-reaching branches.“Those..” he said, his eyes flicking between the road and me. “Jacarandas. You’ll see them bloom soon, purple flowers everywhere. My father refers to th
Coming Out of the Deep Chapter 39: A Setup
Lux's POVI took a step back and narrowed my eyes at the girl, trying to make sense of what was going on. "Excuse me?" I asked firmly, while the voice inside me snapped at the audacity. Whatever was or was not going on between me and Reed was none of this girl's damn business.Who even was she?The girl blinked like she’d only just realized how far she’d gone, and her expression softened slightly as she ran a hand through her tangled curls.“I’m Charlotte,” she said, sticking out her hand like that would fix the weird vibe she’d just dropped into my lap. I didn’t take the hand; I didn’t know where that had been. Furthermore, I did not go around shaking strangers' hands.Withdrawing her hand awkwardly, she sniffled, her eyes darting around as if she was trying to gather herself, and I watched her fingers tremble as they swept through her hair again, confirming what I had already suspected—she was on something.“I didn’t mean to come off rude,” she went on. "I just—I saw you and Reed ou
Coming Out of the Deep Chapter 38: New
Lux's POVThe stadium was on fire, figuratively, of course but the energy felt powerful enough to melt steel. Our team had just scored a touchdown and added a clean three-pointer. The crowd erupted, with people on their feet, screaming and clapping, cups flying and popcorn spilling everywhere on the screen and around us.I didn’t know much about the sport when we first got here, but Reed had taken the time to explain it all, what to cheer for, what to groan at, and what plays meant we were winning. And somewhere in between the shouting and the laughter, I realized I was falling in love with this sport.However, my celebration had to be put on hold. "I need to use the restroom," I leaned over and told Reed over the noise. He pointed immediately. "That way, behind the wall. Will you be okay on your own?" I nodded. “Yeah, I’ll be fine.”I turned to climb down, but Reed was already moving. Before I could say I could manage on my own, his feet hit the ground, and he extended his hand to he
Coming Out of the Deep Chapter 37: Friendship
Lake's POV Kairos's question hit me like a straight punch in the chest, and I knew I should say no. We had just decided to become friends. I had made that promise to myself only twenty minutes before, and I knew what that kiss would do to me, how it would set me back and rip apart the resolve I was barely holding together with shaking hands.But I couldn’t say no. Instead, I leaned in and met him halfway. Our lips met, soft and desperate, and then nothing else existed. The surrounding walls vanished, and the voices in my head fell silent. The air shifted, and we landed back on the couch, lips still locked, as if gravity had given up on us. His knees straddled my hips, and I let my hands wrap around him, bringing him closer as if I could imprint him on me permanently.There was nothing rushed about it at first, just aching slow passion as we memorized each other for the final time.Every bit of pain associated with the decision to let him go was absorbed into that kiss. And I had no i
Coming Out of the Deep Chapter 36: Goodbye
Lake's POVKairos and I didn’t say anything on the ride back to the dorms, and it felt like the longest ride before the car finally pulled into the parking lot. Exiting, we both went inside and the tension between us was still high, but I barely had time to close the door before Kairos drew me into a hug so tight that I thought I would collapse into him completely.It was as if he never wanted to let go, and my chest tightened, my eyes burning all over again as I held on as if he was the only thing holding me down.We didn’t speak. We just stood there, arms around each other, tears soaking into each other's shoulders as everything we were too afraid to say spilled out in the way we held each other. Then I heard his voice, muffled and broken.“I love you too,” he said. “And I don’t know what to do with myself, either.” My eyes shut, and my heart cracked even deeper at the pain in his voice.After a while, we slowly pulled back, both of us still trying to get it together as we wiped our
Coming Out of the Deep Chapter 35: Trampled
Lux's POVReed's Range Rover was a few rows down. He unlocked it, and we climbed inside, arms full of the hot dogs, sodas, and the crinkling bouquet he had gotten for me. It was sweet of him.He took the sodas and put them in the cup holders while I sat back in the passenger seat, pulling out my phone to call Lake, who made me frown when he answered. He sounded like he was in a moving vehicle, so I frowned and asked where he was. He said he had to return to our dorm and that I should call him when I needed him to come get me.I was dumbfounded as I asked myself what the hell it was going to take for him to stop doing what he was doing to himself. I didn’t need to ask to know he was with Kairos.My head collided with the headrest as I ended the call, and Reed was already starting the car, the low rumble of the engine humming beneath us as he pulled out of the spot. He gave me a soft glance. "Is everything okay? Is Lake going to join us?”I took a second to find my words before forcing
Coming Out of the Deep Chapter 34: On Edge
Lake's POVI walked behind Kairos, my steps not quick enough as he continued in front of me without even looking back, despite hearing me call out to him. I knew he had heard me, and ignoring me would not change anything.He’d made it clear it was over, that he couldn’t choose me. But I wasn’t done. It felt like something happened to me when he drank my blood, and I desperately wanted him so bad it physically hurt. I knew it was twisted to continue chasing after him after he told me he had a fiancee. I knew it was wrong to even give myself hope.But something inside me refused to listen to reason, and it was more than just wanting him; I needed him.When I saw him, it was like a fire ignited inside of me, and when he said he needed to go to the men's room, it was as if something else had taken over, and it didn't care if it was right or wrong.Normally I wouldn’t have gone after him like that, especially with the guys around, but this part of me that had somehow awakened didn’t care a
