Chapter 8Hailey's POV The next morning, I was still lost in sleep, completely oblivious to the fact that I had a lecture in just an hour. That was, until Jessy’s loud voice jolted me out of my dreams, making my heart leap out of my chest. “Hailey! Hailey! Wake up! I think I saw someone that looks exactly like Paxton in a ridiculously luxurious car waiting out front!” Jessy screamed. My eyes shot open as I bolted upright in bed. “What? Paxton?!” My heart pounded faster than it should have, and I felt a wave of anxiety rush over me. Still dressed in my pink Barbie pajamas, I stumbled to the window and looked down. And there he was. Paxton. Sitting in a sleek black car with his usual smirk. His eyes locked with mine, and instantly, I felt that stupid flutter in my chest again. Ugh, why does this keep happening? Why does my heart feel like it's about to leap out of my body every time he's around? Seriously, someone tell me what the heck is wrong with me! “Oh no, Jessy. What did I do
Chapter 9Hailey's POV The drive to school was thick with silence. I stared out the window, my arms crossed tightly against my chest, feeling Paxton’s presence but refusing to acknowledge it. Every time I glanced at him from the corner of my eye, I caught his lips twitching, like he wanted to say something, but didn’t. I wasn’t ready to hear anything from him, not after last night. When we pulled up to the school, I grabbed the door handle before the car had fully stopped. “Thanks,” I mumbled, stepping out quickly. Before I could take two steps, chaos hit. The flashing lights of a thousand cameras went off like fireworks, blinding me. A wave of murmurs swept through the students. “Is that Hailey with Paxton?!” “No way! Did they come to school together?” “Nikki’s gonna lose it!” My breath hitched, and my chest tightened. The crowd began pressing in, and I could feel myself panicking. I'm allergic to too much crowding. Just when I thought I’d be swallowed by the attention, Paxton’
Hailey's POV “Who amongst you did this?!” Jessy’s voice cut through the laughter like a knife, and an awkward silence fell over the classroom. Every pair of eyes darted between me and Nikki, who leaned back against her desk with an air of smugness. I could feel the weight of their gazes, and I was done with being the butt of their jokes. I marched over to Nikki, my heart pounding in my chest. “What’s gonna happen now?” someone whispered, but I didn’t care. “Nikki! How dare you picture me at the party without my consent?” I spat, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside. Nikki laughed, a high-pitched sound that made my skin crawl. “And who are you? A God? Or a poor scholar?” Her friends joined in, cackling like hyenas. “Now you listen to me, you jealous freak! It’s not entirely my fault that your beloved betrothed rejected you! You should get over your rejection already and move on. Crazy slut!” I couldn’t believe the words that poured out of my mouth. Where the hell did I get
Paxton's POV The Lambo rolled to a smooth stop in front of the mansion, and I slid out, shoving my hands into my pockets. The maids were already lined up, heads bowed as I walked past them. "Good day, sir!" they chimed in unison, but I didn’t bother to acknowledge them. My mind was somewhere else. Just as I reached the staircase, I felt something cold and sticky dribble onto my chest. I glanced down to see orange juice staining my uniform. “You idiot!” I roared, turning to the maid who had spilled the drink. Her face went pale as she dropped to her knees, trembling. “Are you blind? You’re fired!” “I’m so sorry, sir! Please, it was an accident—” she pleaded, but I was already walking away, the anger bubbling up inside me. **I don’t have time for this.** I reached the sitting room and found my mom pacing. I barely had a chance to greet her before she started in on me. “Paxton, I want you to reject her! That girl... Hailey or whatever her name is, she’s not worth it! You need to be
Hailey's POV I stared at Paxton's message, my heart racing a little faster than it should. He wanted to meet up with me after practice? Why did that make me feel... warm? I couldn’t help but smile, but I quickly wiped it away when I noticed Mia and Jessy staring at me like hawks. "What?" I asked, trying to act cool as I shoved my phone aside. "You were totally smiling just now!" Mia giggled, her eyes gleaming with curiosity. "Paxton, I guess," Jessy added, leaning in with a teasing grin. "God, this room is about to explode from your blushing." I groaned, trying to deflect the attention. "Ugh, he just... he chatted me, okay?" "And?" Mia's excitement was palpable. "Did he say he loves you?" I rolled my eyes, though I couldn’t stop my lips from twitching. "No! He just asked me to meet him after practice." "Oh my gosh!" they both squealed in unison. "I didn’t even give him an answer yet," I muttered, but they were already too busy bouncing up and down with excitement. "What? Why
Hailey's POV I hurried into the hospital with Mia and Jessy trailing behind. My heart was pounding in my chest. The moment I stepped up to the nurse's desk, I blurted out, "Please, where’s Mrs. Edmond admitted?" "Room 300," she said, barely glancing up. My hands were trembling as I opened the door. The sight of my mom, lying pale on the bed with oxygen tubes strapped to her face, hit me like a punch in the gut. Tears immediately welled up in my eyes. My dad rushed to me, and I clung to him, burying my face in his shoulder. Mia and Jessy, standing quietly behind me, spoke softly. "We’re sorry for this, sir." My dad nodded weakly. “It’s okay, thank you for coming.” I turned back toward my mom, her frail hand resting on the blanket. My chest tightened. How had I not known? How had they kept this from me? I approached her, my voice shaky. "Mom, please... don’t leave me. Stay with us." I squeezed her hand gently, barely able to hold back my sobs. Her eyes fluttered open. She was so
Hailey's POV The game had barely started, but my mind was miles away. My gaze was glued to Mrs. Sophie, who seemed to be getting some twisted satisfaction out of smirking at me every other second. And Nikki? She was there too, lurking with that smug look plastered on her face, just waiting for me to mess up. I couldn’t let her get to me, but my heart was racing faster than the ball bouncing across the field. "Hey, relax. Don’t let them get to you," Jessy whispered, patting my back. Mia nodded, biting her lip as she watched Paxton on the field, her eyes flickering with admiration. Paxton noticed us and flashed a confident smile in my direction. My breath hitched as I watched him effortlessly take control of the ball, dodging Dimitri’s kick and sending it soaring through the air. *Goal!* The crowd erupted in cheers, and before I knew it, I was clapping—loudly. Too loudly. I froze, realizing I was the only one applauding. Heat flooded my cheeks. *Oh geez, Hailey!* Paxton winked and b
Hailey's POV Paxton’s sleek black car pulled up in front of the most luxurious restaurant in the city, and my stomach churned as I stepped out. The restaurant's grand entrance glowed warmly against the darkening sky, its golden lights and immaculate glass doors. I wasn’t sure why Paxton had brought me here for *this talk* he kept hinting about, but the anxious feeling in my chest told me it wasn’t going to be anything simple. We were seated at a table near the window, where the city’s lights sparkled in the background, but I tried to calm my nerves. The waiter came by to take our orders, and I could barely look him in the eye. My fingers fidgeted with the edge of my napkin, but I couldn’t focus on anything. Paxton was quiet, his face unreadable. The silence between us felt thick, almost suffocating, like we were standing on opposite sides of a cliff, waiting to see who would jump first. Finally, I couldn’t take it anymore. “Ugh… so…” I mumbled, hoping he’d take the hint to start ta
Hailey’s POVThe quiet hum of the hospital hallway made my nerves feel even more on edge. My heart pounded in my chest as I hurried down the corridor, clutching the folder of test results tightly against my chest. The fluorescent lights above buzzed faintly, casting a pale glow that only heightened the eerie quiet.I felt a touch on my shoulder, and fear jolted through me like lightning. I froze, my breath catching in my throat. Slowly, I turned around, my fingers trembling against the folder.“Oh, my goodness!” I gasped, relief flooding through me. “Who the heck—” My words trailed off as I came face-to-face with Nikki. Her overly sweet smile curled her lips, but her eyes told a different story—cold, calculating, and utterly fake.“Well, hello there, bitch,” Nikki sneered, her voice dripping with venom. “How was your little adventure at the company? Did you enjoy every single second of it?”I rolled my eyes, willing myself not to engage, but my blood boiled at the smug satisfaction on
Hailey’s POVI clung desperately to the thick, wet roots dangling into the pit, my fingers trembling from exhaustion. My arms screamed in pain as I tried to keep my head above the rising water. Cold droplets stung my face, mingling with the tears I couldn’t hold back. A sharp ache throbbed in my head, the rain pounding harder with each passing second. The storm above felt relentless, and the deafening roar of thunder made me flinch.“Moon Goddess, please!” I sobbed, my voice cracking under the strain. “Send me a helper. I don’t want to die here or be eaten by some wild animal!”The rain showed no mercy, filling the pit faster than I could comprehend. My legs were submerged, and soon my waist followed. I gasped for air, gripping the roots with what little strength remained in me. My breaths were shallow, my body trembling uncontrollably.Suddenly, a voice broke through the chaos, distant but unmistakable. “Hailey! Hailey! Where are you?”I recognized it immediately—Paxton. Relief flood
Hailey's POV I waited for the trumpet, my nerves on edge. Of course, they chose Nikki for me. Out of everyone, it had to be her. Great, just great. I caught Paxton and Dimitri glaring at each other again. Those two were like cats and dogs—one glare away from a full-on brawl. I rolled my eyes. Boys. Then, the trumpet blasted through the clearing, and everyone charged into the woods. I took a deep breath. Sure, I’m a werewolf, but these dense, shadowy woods still sent a shiver down my spine. It's creepy in here...plus, I’m stuck with Nikki, who wasn’t even trying to walk at my pace. “Hold on, Nikki. We’re supposed to stick together, remember?” I called, trying to match her pace. She whipped her head around with a look of utter disgust. “Oh, please! You can run if you want. There are, like, a million mosquitoes here, and I am *not* about to be their snack!” I rolled my eyes and jogged to catch up, trying to ignore her ‘princess’ attitude. I started spotting treasures, though, tucked
Hailey's POV Los Angeles's forest was everything we’d hoped—towering trees arched above us, shielding us from the sun as a gentle breeze cooled the air. The bus doors swung open, and everyone flooded out, stretching and yawning. Even though excitement buzzed around, exhaustion from the jet lag weighed heavy on us. I barely had a moment to breathe before Paxton appeared at my side, holding out a bottle of water and a handkerchief. “Here,” he offered with a gentle smile, dabbing my forehead despite my attempts to wave him off. “I’m fine, really—” I started, but he just chuckled and continued. I caught Dimitri’s gaze from across the clearing, his jaw tense, eyes hardening as he watched Paxton. I quickly looked away, pretending not to notice. Around us, students scattered, taking in the scenery. My heart sank as I spotted Jessy and Mia strolling far off with their teams. I missed them already; nothing ever felt right without them by my side. But it wasn’t really their fault. The lec
Guys please do well to give your thoughts and feedbacks in the comment section! it encourages me to write more chapters! XOXO Hailey's POV The day finally arrived, and I could barely contain my excitement as I rushed home with my friends. We plopped onto my bed, the air thick with anticipation. “Did you hear the principal’s announcement?” Jessy exclaimed, her eyes sparkling. “Paxton is sooo handsome, and you might be in the same room!” I rolled my eyes, trying to mask the flutter in my stomach. “That’s only if Dimitri and Nikki agree to it,” I shot back, reminding myself to stay grounded. They both nodded, their expressions serious yet eager. “C’mon, let’s pack! We’re going to Los Angeles tomorrow!” Mia’s enthusiasm was infectious, and despite my nerves, a smile broke through. I was excited, but a gnawing worry tugged at me. What if everything didn’t go as planned? *** D-Day dawned bright and clear. My friends and I dragged our bags toward the school, the atmosphere electri
Hailey's POV The next day, I arrived at school with my heart racing. As I walked in with my friends, the buzz of excitement filled the air. Students darted around, exchanging whispers and laughter, their faces alight with anticipation. “Who’s your teammate? Who’s your teammate?” they called out, the question echoing in the hallways. Mia, always perceptive, turned to me, her brow furrowed. “Did something happen? Why are they running helter-skelter?” I shrugged, trying to mask my own growing anxiety. The atmosphere was electric, and I could feel the thrill mixed with nerves. Just then, a student rushed past us, nearly colliding with Mia. She grabbed the girl’s hand. “Sorry, but what’s the uproar for? Did you guys win a lottery to the states?” Mia asked, a teasing lilt in her voice. The girl merely blushed and dashed off, leaving us even more curious. “You haven’t heard?” she finally said, her eyes wide with excitement. “We’re going on a two-day camp as part of the internship! E
Hailey's POV I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. Dimitri had thrown a flower in the air, caught it with ease, then dropped down on one knee with a smile that tried to be charming but only made my stomach churn. My face flushed hot as I saw the other boys cheering him on. What was he doing? I scanned the area, panic bubbling up inside me. "Are you out of your mind?" I hissed at him. "What the heck do you think you're doing?" "Hailey, please," he said, eyes glistening with what I guessed was supposed to be sincerity. "I’m sorry for everything. Please… give me another chance. I’ll treat you right this time, I swear." My eyes widened, and the humiliation burned even hotter. He was acting like we’d been some fairytale couple instead of a mismatched disaster. "Dimitri, we’re over," I said firmly, but before I could step away, he grabbed me, pulling me in for a desperate hug, pressing his lips to my neck. "Please," he whispered, his voice cracking, "please." The crowd erupted into c
Hailey's POV:** Paxton took me to the shopping mall after the incident. We picked out all sorts of clothes—dresses, tops, even some more casual things like sneakers. He insisted we stock up on provisions too: cereals, milk, and even Golden Morn, which he said reminded him of his childhood. It felt... surreal. Like, this wasn’t just another day. It felt special. When he dropped me off in front of my house, I barely had time to process everything before Jessy came rushing toward me. "Oh my goodness! Look at how stunning you look in your new dress!" Jessy exclaimed, practically bouncing on her feet as her eyes roved over me, taking in every detail. I could feel her excitement radiating, and it was contagious. A small smile tugged at my lips as I smoothed my hands over the fabric of the dress. "All thanks to Nikki because we now have clothes and provisions for ourselves!" Mia chimed in, appearing beside Jessy with a playful glint in her eyes, her laughter echoing through the hallway.
Hailey’s POV** After freshening up, Paxton and I strolled to the other side of the park. The sun was setting, casting a golden hue over the adventure park as we made our way to the swings. Paxton, of course, insisted on paying for everything—tickets, drinks, and all the fun activities we’d done so far. The swing ride had been exhilarating. With the wind whipping through my hair, I actually felt... carefree for the first time in days. We even tried horse riding, laughing and teasing each other as our horses trotted side by side. For a while, it felt like nothing else mattered. But the day wasn’t over. Paxton led me to a cozy restaurant nearby. The smell of spices and freshly cooked food made my stomach growl as we took our seats. We ordered chicken stock pepper soup and plates filled with steaming beef. I couldn’t wait to dig in. As I started eating, though, I noticed Paxton suddenly stop mid-bite. He wasn’t eating, just watching me with this strange look in his eyes. His fork hover