The sun is warm, casting a golden glow over the sand as waves crash rhythmically against the shore. I’m stretched out under a striped umbrella, the ocean breeze tickling my skin and the faint scent of salt lingering in the air. It’s the kind of day that should feel perfect, carefree.
But my mind won’t stop running.
Nathan is nearby, lounging in a chair with a book in his hands, but he’s been giving me space. For that, I’m grateful. He’s always nearby,
VinceShe doesn’t have a clue.There she is, lying under that umbrella, her skin glowing in the sun, the waves crashing lazily behind her. She looks so at peace, so oblivious to the real world, to the danger that’s right here, watching her every move. It’s almost too easy.Nathan isn’t far. He never is. The loyal little lapdog, pretending to be her protector. But even he can’t be everywhere all the time. It’s only a matter of finding the right moment, the perfect crack in their little shield.I’ve been watching her long enough to know her patterns. She’s careful, sure, but not careful enough. And her home? That’s her weak spot.The house is practically a gift. Her mother is barely there—always working or locked away in her own little world. And Celeste? She’s alone most of the time. It’s almost laughable how easy it would be to slip in, grab her, and disappear. No one would hea
The moment I step through the front door, the weight hits me. It’s like the air inside the house is different—heavier, colder. The kind of silence that doesn’t feel peaceful, just empty.I close the door behind me, locking it out of habit, and stand there for a second. My bag hangs loosely from my shoulder, the straps digging in, but I barely notice. It’s like the energy I had earlier, the lightness I felt at the beach, gets sucked away the second I’m home.
I don’t even know why I keep doing this. Following Celeste around like some pathetic ghost of a friend I used to be. But here I am again, sitting in the farthest corner of her favorite coffee shop, pretending to care about the lukewarm latte in front of me.She’s here with Nathan, of course. Always Nathan. They’re laughing about something, and the sound carries all the way across the room to where I’m sitting. It feels like a punch to the gut.I try not to stare, but it’s impossible not to. Celeste looks so... light. Like she’s shed all the drama, all the weight of what happened between us, and moved on without a second thought. Meanwhile, I’m stuck here, drowning in my own guilt and loneliness.I don’t even notice him until he’s standing in front of me."Mind if I join you?" The guy says and he smiles. I look him in his eyes and there's something there. I don't know what it is but he's not right. I kn
I sit there for what feels like an eternity, staring at the empty chair across from me. The coffee shop is alive with chatter and the clinking of cups, but all I hear is the echo of Trevor’s voice and the faint slam of the door as he left.The weight of my own self-loathing settles on my chest, pressing me deeper into the seat. I glance across the room at Celeste and Nathan. They’re still there, still laughing, still oblivious to the pit I’ve dug myself into.I can't take it anymore.Before I realize what I’m doing, I’m up and moving, weaving through tables and chairs, dodging baristas with trays. The bell above the door jingles as I push it open, stepping into the bright afternoon sunlight.He’s halfway down the block, walking with his head down and his hands shoved into his pockets."Trevor!" I call out, my voice cracking slightly.He stops but doesn’t turn around immediately. For a second, I think
TrevorI lean back against the torn leather couch in my apartment, my phone in hand, smirking as Tamrin's texts roll in. She’s eager—too eager. But that’s what makes her perfect.Tamrin: Hey! Just checking if we’re still on for dinner tomorrow?I chuckle, shaking my head. She really thinks she’s struck gold. Poor girl. It’s almost too easy.I type back a reply, my fingers moving swiftly over the keyboard.Me: Of course. Can’t wait to see you.The little typing bubble pops up almost immediately. I don’t even have to wait. She’s practically salivating for attention, and I’m happy to give her just enough to keep her on the hook.Tamrin: Me too! I was thinking maybe that Italian place on 5th?I smile, the kind that doesn’t reach my eyes, and glance at the photo of Celeste I took at the beach earlier. She was lounging under that umbrella, completely o
The sun is already warm against my skin as I step out of the gate, a to-go mug of coffee in hand. My sandals click softly against the pavement, and I glance up to see Liam leaning casually against his car. The sight of him takes me by surprise, but not as much as the slow, almost smug smile that spreads across his face when he catches my expression.“Liam?” I ask, stopping a few feet away. “What are you doing here? Where’s Nathan?”His smile falters for a f
The ride to the ice cream shop is a blur of tension and silence. I stare out the window, watching the world pass by, but my mind is stuck on the gun. Liam doesn’t say a word, his focus on the road, and I don’t know if I’m relieved or frustrated by his silence.When we pull into the parking lot, I’m the first to get out. The cool breeze brushes against my skin, a stark contrast to the warmth of the car. I hear Liam shut his door behind me, his footsteps steady as he follows.We walk side by side toward the shop, the bright neon sign above the door casting a faint glow on the pavement. It feels like there’s a wall between us, invisible but impenetrable.As we step inside, the comforting aroma of sugar and waffle cones fills the air. The hum of conversation and laughter surrounds us, but it feels distant, like we’re in our own bubble.I walk straight to the counter, scanning the menu as if it’s the most important dec
I pace back and forth in my room, phone pressed tightly to my ear. The ringing feels endless, but I keep waiting. Sadie always takes forever to answer, but I need her right now. My heart is buzzing, and I’m practically bursting with excitement. Finally, the ringing stops, and her voice comes through, flat and uninterested."Hello?""Sadie!" I say, trying to keep my voice from sounding too desperate. "I have a date. I need your help. Please, can you come over?"There’s a pause, and I can practically hear her rolling her eyes on the other end. "A date, huh?" she says. "And you want my help?""Yes!" I say, ignoring the edge in her tone. "I need your magic touch. You’re the best at this kind of thing, Sadie. Please."Another long pause. Then she sighs. "Fine. I’ll be there in an hour."By the time she arrives, I’m practically vibrating with energy. The second I see her walk through the door, I let out an excited squ
I lean back in my chair, phone still in hand, letting the faint hum of the television fill the silence. Tamrin’s reply is still fresh on the screen, her cheerful acceptance of another date. It didn’t take much to get her to agree—just a few words crafted with care and a touch of desperation.The key to manipulating people like Tamrin is understanding their hunger. She’s starving for attention, validation, anything to make her feel less invisible. I gave her just enough on our first date to plant the seed. Sure, I acted aloof, even dismissive, but I knew that would keep her chasing. And now? Now she’s hooked.I scroll through our conversation from earlier tonight.Trevor: Hey, Tamrin. I’ve been thinking about our date, and I feel terrible about how I acted. I was nervous, and I handled things badly. You didn’t deserve that.I imagine her face when she read it, the little
I’m practically skipping up the steps to Presley’s house, the excitement bubbling in my chest. It’s not like the date with Trevor was amazing—in fact, it was the opposite—but it doesn’t matter. For once, I have something to talk about, something that feels like it belongs to me.I knock on her door, and when she opens it, she’s wearing her usual bored expression. Presley always looks like she has somewhere better to be.“Hey,” I say, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation. “You won’t believe what happened last night.”She raises an eyebrow, leaning against the doorframe as I flop onto her couch.“Let me guess,” she says, voice dripping with sarcasm. “You found a stray dog and decided to adopt it.”I roll my eyes. “No, Presley. I went on a date.”That gets her attention. She straightens up, her eyes narrowing just slightly. It’s subtle, but I catch it, and it fuels me in a way I didn’t expect.“Oh?” she says, crossing her ar
The ride to the ice cream shop is a blur of tension and silence. I stare out the window, watching the world pass by, but my mind is stuck on the gun. Liam doesn’t say a word, his focus on the road, and I don’t know if I’m relieved or frustrated by his silence.When we pull into the parking lot, I’m the first to get out. The cool breeze brushes against my skin, a stark contrast to the warmth of the car. I hear Liam shut his door behind me, his footsteps steady as he follows.We walk side by side toward the shop, the bright neon sign above the door casting a faint glow on the pavement. It feels like there’s a wall between us, invisible but impenetrable.As we step inside, the comforting aroma of sugar and waffle cones fills the air. The hum of conversation and laughter surrounds us, but it feels distant, like we’re in our own bubble.I walk straight to the counter, scanning the menu as if it’s the most important dec
The sun is already warm against my skin as I step out of the gate, a to-go mug of coffee in hand. My sandals click softly against the pavement, and I glance up to see Liam leaning casually against his car. The sight of him takes me by surprise, but not as much as the slow, almost smug smile that spreads across his face when he catches my expression.“Liam?” I ask, stopping a few feet away. “What are you doing here? Where’s Nathan?”His smile falters for a f
TrevorI lean back against the torn leather couch in my apartment, my phone in hand, smirking as Tamrin's texts roll in. She’s eager—too eager. But that’s what makes her perfect.Tamrin: Hey! Just checking if we’re still on for dinner tomorrow?I chuckle, shaking my head. She really thinks she’s struck gold. Poor girl. It’s almost too easy.I type back a reply, my fingers moving swiftly over the keyboard.Me: Of course. Can’t wait to see you.The little typing bubble pops up almost immediately. I don’t even have to wait. She’s practically salivating for attention, and I’m happy to give her just enough to keep her on the hook.Tamrin: Me too! I was thinking maybe that Italian place on 5th?I smile, the kind that doesn’t reach my eyes, and glance at the photo of Celeste I took at the beach earlier. She was lounging under that umbrella, completely o
I sit there for what feels like an eternity, staring at the empty chair across from me. The coffee shop is alive with chatter and the clinking of cups, but all I hear is the echo of Trevor’s voice and the faint slam of the door as he left.The weight of my own self-loathing settles on my chest, pressing me deeper into the seat. I glance across the room at Celeste and Nathan. They’re still there, still laughing, still oblivious to the pit I’ve dug myself into.I can't take it anymore.Before I realize what I’m doing, I’m up and moving, weaving through tables and chairs, dodging baristas with trays. The bell above the door jingles as I push it open, stepping into the bright afternoon sunlight.He’s halfway down the block, walking with his head down and his hands shoved into his pockets."Trevor!" I call out, my voice cracking slightly.He stops but doesn’t turn around immediately. For a second, I think
I don’t even know why I keep doing this. Following Celeste around like some pathetic ghost of a friend I used to be. But here I am again, sitting in the farthest corner of her favorite coffee shop, pretending to care about the lukewarm latte in front of me.She’s here with Nathan, of course. Always Nathan. They’re laughing about something, and the sound carries all the way across the room to where I’m sitting. It feels like a punch to the gut.I try not to stare, but it’s impossible not to. Celeste looks so... light. Like she’s shed all the drama, all the weight of what happened between us, and moved on without a second thought. Meanwhile, I’m stuck here, drowning in my own guilt and loneliness.I don’t even notice him until he’s standing in front of me."Mind if I join you?" The guy says and he smiles. I look him in his eyes and there's something there. I don't know what it is but he's not right. I kn