"Yeah, it was a game—chain kisses, you know?" Nick explained. "I kissed someone who kissed Jenna, then she kissed me." Noah tilted her head, curious. "Who was the 'someone'?" Nick hesitated, his face betraying the embarrassment he still felt. "Her hamster." "No..." Noah's eyes widened in disbelief, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Yes," he replied, his voice flat. "That's awful," Noah said, laughing. "Yeah, it was." Nick grinned sheepishly. For a moment, they sat in silence, their eyes locked on each other. Then, slowly, they leaned in, their lips meeting in a soft, intimate kiss. "That was amazing," Nick whispered. "It was wonderful," Noah agreed, resting her head on his chest as he held her close. "The sun’s going to rise in less than an hour," she said, tracing a finger along his shirt. "Let’s run away," Nick murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "Let’s escape together." Noah smiled softly. "That never works," she said. "Look at the Montagu
Detective Irene pressed her finger to the side of her earpiece—a soft screen touch that linked her to all the officers on this mission. “Attention, all units!” her voice was firm, cutting through the static. “We’ve traced them.” The confirmation flowed through each officer’s earpiece, rippling through the team. Mr. Wills turned to his wife, a thin thread of hope in his eyes. “They found them,” he said, his voice a mix of relief and tension. His wife, though terrified, managed a small nod. She clutched his hand tighter, grounding herself in his presence. Meanwhile, Mr. Jonas, who had been keeping tabs on the Wills through hidden cameras, stiffened at the development. He moved swiftly, united Noah, taking her down stairs to the garage where he parked the car. He was going to run off before they could find him they. There was no time to waste. Back outside, Nick had already locked onto the destination marked on the insurance map. He veered into a sharp U-turn and raced toward an o
Noah sat by the window, watching the familiar scenery blur into a collage of memories. Tears welled in her eyes as the reality of leaving her hometown sunk in. She clenched her fists, trying to hold onto the comfort of familiarity slipping away. Her mother, Angela, entered the room, her expression a mix of sympathy and apprehension. "Noah, sweetheart, it's time to go." Noah turned to her, her voice strained with emotion. "Mom, I can't leave. This is my home. My friends, my life, everything is here." Angela approached, placing a hand on Noah's shoulder. "I know it's hard, but we're doing what's best for our family. Your stepfather and I have agreed to live together after our civil wedding, and it requires us to move, and we need to do so to start living as a family." Noah brushed away a tear, frustration bubbling inside her. "But what about me? What about my life?" Angela sighed, her own eyes reflecting Noah's pain. "You'll make new friends, sweetheart. And your boyfriend...
Angela sighed as she closed the door to the bedroom she now shared with her husband, Mr. Wills. It had been a long day of unpacking, settling in, and dealing with the stress that comes with moving. She looked around the room, still partially filled with unopened boxes and scattered items waiting to find their place. The familiar scent of Mr. Wills' cologne mingled with the crisp, newness of their home, creating a comforting atmosphere. She found him sitting on the edge of the bed, leafing through a book. His reading glasses perched low on his nose, and a warm smile spread across his face as she approached. "Hey there," he said, setting the book aside and reaching out to her. "How's Noah settling in? Taking the whole moving situation alright?" Angela sat beside him, leaning into his embrace. "She's not entirely comfortable yet," she admitted, "but I think she'll come around soon. It's a lot to take in, especially with everything happening so fast." Mr. Wills nodded understand
Nicholas stood by the fridge, his arms folded casually across his chest, an amused expression on his face. Noah was not in the mood of his games. She has been wary of dogs and Thor was no exception, the dog a massive German shepherd, was barking furiously at her, she felt her heart pounding in her chest. She reached for her phone her hand trembling. "Can you stop that, Nicholas?" Noah shouted trying to keep her voice steady but failing. She stood up slowly, her eyes never leaving Thor. The dog's intense gaze and aggressive stance were making it hard for her to think clearly. Nick's smirk widened. "He's like a poodle but smarter", he said, his hands still folded. He leaned against the fridge watching a mixture of amusement and curiousity, as Noah struggled to maintain her composure. "Did you hit your head as a child, your jerk?" Noah snapped, her irritation growing. She couldn't understand why Nick found this situation funny. Thor's barking was relentless, and every bark made her
Nick adjusted his tie and glanced at his watch once more. It was a sleek, silver timepiece that his grandfather had gifted him years ago. The seconds ticked by, each one feeling like an eternity. He took a deep breath, trying to calm the irritation building inside him. Tonight was supposed to be perfect. He had orchestrated this family dinner with meticulous precision, hoping to bring everyone together after months of growing apart. Now, it seemed like everything was falling apart before it even began. He heard footsteps echoing through the hallway and turned to see his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Wills, entering the sitting room. His father's demeanour was as composed as ever, but there was a flicker of regret in his eyes. His mother, on the other hand, wore a soft, apologetic smile that did little to ease Nick's frustration. "I don't mind the lack of punctuality, but this dinner is bad timing," Nick said, his voice a careful balance between disappointment and restraint. "We're sorry
The atmosphere around the table grew tense as Nick fidgeted with his tie. "If you'll excuse me, I have to go to work," he said, his unease evident. He glanced at Noah, whose probing questions had made him uncomfortable throughout the evening. "At Mikel's?" Mr. Wills asked, looking up from his glass of wine. "Yes," Nick replied curtly. "Your first case?" Mrs. Wills inquired, her curiosity piqued. She was eager to know if it was his first significant case to handle. "I wish. His dad asked us to take care of the paperwork," Nick said, adjusting his suit and gathering his belongings. He was ready to leave, anxious to escape the scrutiny. "He studies law and gets great grades," Mrs. Wills said to Noah with a proud smile. Nick, still smarting from Noah’s earlier comments, shot back, "But it's all strength of mind, no intelligence." He directed his words pointedly at Noah, a rebuttal to her previous criticism of his surfing. Noah, undeterred, replied with boldness, "Don't worr
Noah stepped out of the car, the heavy bass from the party's music thrumming through the ground and into her bones. The. night air was thick with the scent of alcohol and sweat, mingling with the distant air of barbecue. She watched in stunned silence as a random guy sprinted past her and cannonballed into to the swimming pool, sending a cascade of water all over the people lounging at its edge. "Listen," the stranger said, pulling her attention back to him. "it's a get-together party so be careful so be careful". He pointed towards the pool and the throngs of people milling about. "That guy over there, the one in white, is Ronny. He got out of prison yesterday". Noah followed his gaze to the man surrounded by girls, his white shirt stark against the neon light. A chill ran down her spine, she was begging to regret agreeing to come to this party, all because she wanted to confront Nicholas about his lie. She was lost in her thoughts when the stranger's voice cut through her anxiet
Detective Irene pressed her finger to the side of her earpiece—a soft screen touch that linked her to all the officers on this mission. “Attention, all units!” her voice was firm, cutting through the static. “We’ve traced them.” The confirmation flowed through each officer’s earpiece, rippling through the team. Mr. Wills turned to his wife, a thin thread of hope in his eyes. “They found them,” he said, his voice a mix of relief and tension. His wife, though terrified, managed a small nod. She clutched his hand tighter, grounding herself in his presence. Meanwhile, Mr. Jonas, who had been keeping tabs on the Wills through hidden cameras, stiffened at the development. He moved swiftly, united Noah, taking her down stairs to the garage where he parked the car. He was going to run off before they could find him they. There was no time to waste. Back outside, Nick had already locked onto the destination marked on the insurance map. He veered into a sharp U-turn and raced toward an o
"Yeah, it was a game—chain kisses, you know?" Nick explained. "I kissed someone who kissed Jenna, then she kissed me." Noah tilted her head, curious. "Who was the 'someone'?" Nick hesitated, his face betraying the embarrassment he still felt. "Her hamster." "No..." Noah's eyes widened in disbelief, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Yes," he replied, his voice flat. "That's awful," Noah said, laughing. "Yeah, it was." Nick grinned sheepishly. For a moment, they sat in silence, their eyes locked on each other. Then, slowly, they leaned in, their lips meeting in a soft, intimate kiss. "That was amazing," Nick whispered. "It was wonderful," Noah agreed, resting her head on his chest as he held her close. "The sun’s going to rise in less than an hour," she said, tracing a finger along his shirt. "Let’s run away," Nick murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "Let’s escape together." Noah smiled softly. "That never works," she said. "Look at the Montagu
Nick's heart raced as he rushed into the hospital where Maggie was admitted. He barely waited for Noah to catch up as his legs carried him faster and faster toward Maggie's room. His breath was ragged, fear surging through him as he burst through the door. "Maggie!" he called out, his voice thick with worry. Maggie was lying on the bed, a nurse standing by her side. Her face was pale, and her voice was faint when she answered him. "Nick." "How are you, honey?" he asked, leaning over her, his hand trembling slightly as he brushed her hair from her face. "Much better," Maggie whispered, managing a weak smile. "You gave us a real scare." Nick's voice wavered with relief, though his eyes still held concern. Maggie tried to lighten the mood. "I wanted to scare the nurse. I hid behind the drape and turned off the cell phone alarm." Nick chuckled softly. "That alarm is horrible, right?" His laughter was short-lived as he grew serious again. "But don't ever do that again, okay?"
The music was so loud, it pounded from within the house. The party became so boring for Noah, all they did was to drink, and talk about nasty stuff, but the party itself wasn't interesting. She glanced over at Jenna, who had a bemused expression on her face, and shook her head. "You have to turn up in a pimped-out car, but the party is indoors? That's absurd," Noah muttered, leaning against the railing. The glow from the lights inside cast strange shadows across her face. Jenna sighed. "Since Nick isn't here, the fun's over anyway," she said, her voice low and tinged with annoyance. She glanced around, clearly itching to leave. "Shall we get out of here?" Noah nodded, her head swimming from the drinks she'd downed earlier. They pushed through the crowded doorway, the laughter and noise of the party fading as they stepped outside into the cool night air. Noah stumbled slightly, the alcohol coursing through her veins. "Careful there," Jenna warned, watching as Noah wobbled on he
Nick and his father sat together on the balcony, savoring a rare moment of calm. The late afternoon breeze swept through the air, carrying the sound of laughter between them. Nick leaned back in his chair, gazing across the compound, where Noah was zipping around in her new car. Her excitement was palpable as she sped through the driveway. She circled the yard, her joy contagious as Nick and Mr. Wills chuckled at her obvious delight. "She’s really loving that car, huh?" Nick said with a grin, watching how excited the car has made her. Mr. Wills nodded, his gaze thoughtful. “Did you know her father tried to kill her once?” Nick nearly dropped his glass. His head snapped to the side, eyes wide with disbelief. “What? What... are you talking about?” Mr. Wills stared into the distance, as if reliving an old memory. "With a knife," he said quietly. Nick blinked in shock, his heart racing. That doesn't make sense His father’s face grew grim. “He’d never touched her before... only
Noah, sensing an opportunity, pushed the conversation further. “Did you send anonymous notes to the girls you didn’t like?” Nick didn’t miss a beat. “She ripped their eyes straight out,” he said, the sarcasm in his voice thinly veiling the truth beneath it. Anna fell silent, her mood darkening. The tension in the car was palpable now, thick and heavy. Noah allowed herself a small moment of satisfaction. For once, Anna had nothing to brag about, no more venom to spit. The car continued in silence, the awkwardness hanging in the air, as they neared their destination. Nick’s jaw remained clenched, his knuckles still tight on the wheel. Noah kept her gaze fixed out the window, though she could feel the heaviness that surrounded them all. Anna’s arms were crossed tightly across her chest, her posture rigid as she glared out of the window, her earlier confidence disappeared. They pulled into the parking lot, the car coming to a slow stop. No one moved for a moment, the air between t
Noah stood stiffly next to Jenna and Mario, her arms folded tight on her chest. Her body was rigid with tension, her anger simmered just beneath the surface. Jenna and Mario were fixated on the fight, their eyes glued to the stage as Nick circled his opponent, who was desperately trying to land a punch. Nick’s movements were quick and calculated, his steps light as he dodged every attempt. His opponent, growing more frustrated, swung wildly, but Nick weaved out of the way each time. Then, without warning, Nick struck. His fists flew like lightning, delivering a series of brutal punches. Blood spurted from his opponent’s mouth as he stumbled, barely able to keep his balance. But Nick didn’t stop. He kept hitting him, over and over, his face a mask of relentless fury. Noah couldn’t turn her eyes away, though her heart screamed for her to look elsewhere. The violence was unbearable, dredging up old wounds. Tears welled in her eyes, memories from her past flooding her mind, choking h
"You’re wrong. I’m not like that," Nick snapped defensively, his voice low but firm. His jaw tightened staring into Noah’s eyes, the tension between them was undeniable, electric. Before Noah could respond, Nick closed the distance between them, kissing her fiercely, his lips crashing into hers with the intensity that sent a rush of adrenaline through them both. His hands moved to grip her waist, pulling her closer, their bodies colliding in a fevered embrace. The heat between them was palpable, an overwhelming force neither could resist. Noah responded instantly, her hands finding their way to his chest, fingers tracing the bruises she had tended to moments ago. The pain was forgotten, replaced by something more fierce. Everything outside of this moment seemed to disappear. "NOAH!" Dan’s voice cut through the haze like a cold shock. Nick and Noah froze. Nick’s grip loosened, and Noah quickly pulled away, her heart pounding. She turned to face the entrace, her eyes widening
Nick eased the front door shut, wincing at the sharp pain in his ribs. Every movement hurt, and the faint creak of the door sounded louder than it should have. His body was bruised and aching, his clothes streaked with blood and dirt. He wanted nothing more than to disappear into his room, wash the grime away, and drown the pain in solitude. Limping slightly, he made his way up the stairs, grimacing with pains as he moved. His mind replayed the brawl with Ronny and his crew, the punches thrown, the taste of blood in his mouth. As he reached the top of the stairs, a flicker of movement caught his eye. Dan was walking across the hallway, holding a bottle of wine and two glasses. Nick froze, his heart beating a little faster as he watched Dan stop at Noah's door. "Noah," Dan called softly, his voice smooth. He knocked, then let himself in, closing the door quietly behind him. Anger surged in Nick's chest. He clenched his fists, feeling his pulse throb against the cuts on his knuckl