Zayne's viewpointI glanced at Larissa for the umpteenth time, rolling my eyes afterward. She anxiously tapped her foot, shoving peanuts into her mouth. She claimed she was stress eating and because she was stressed, she commanded me to follow her home so she could introduce me to her family. Of course, I didn't want to go, but she was in a mood with a hint of madness. I did not want to be at the receiving end. Besides, it was time I properly met her family. I couldn't call the meetings with her brother a proper one since he always aimed for my head.The other reason I agreed to go was because I wanted to be next to her when Starliss called to deliver the information that would help me plan my next step and comfort her in case it went as she predicted. I prayed for the former but I seriously doubted it.I parked the car in front of her house. Larissa suddenly patted my shoulder comfortingly. I looked at her and arched a questioning brow. "Relax, Zayne. Don't be nervous. I'm sure one o
Starliss' viewpointThree Years AgoI nervously bit into my lower lip, fiddling with the hem of my skirt and staring at the gift in my other hand. I worked hard to make what was inside with the hopes that my feelings would reach out to him. Of course, the chances of that happening were slim, but all I could do was hope."Just relax, Cinderella, you'll be fine!" Larissa exclaimed with the highest level of cheerfulness. For some reason, she was more enthusiastic and optimistic about this. I still couldn't understand why she was that happy and hopeful for me. I had a lot of doubts."What if he doesn't like them?""He would love them! You worked extremely hard on these so he will love them," but you're wrong, Larissa. Neo isn't as selfless and kind as you think he is. He's a jerk. I love that jerk."Yeah, I guess so," I murmured, looking away from her. The happiness on her face flavored my tongue with bile. I shook my head to get rid of the thought buried deeply in my mind. I shouldn't th
Larissa's viewpointI sang along to Anne-Marie's song jamming in my ears. I was in the mood to play her soundtrack on shuffle because I was happy and worried. Zayne was in the living room with Ramsey, Tristan, and Dad. Ramsey popped out of nowhere with Mikayla, screamed about a match that was going on and that was the end. My poor Zayne got dragged into the mess with no way out. According to them, any man who would enter the family must know the basics of sports. I don't get it either.Mikayla and I made dinner, then she went to pick up Odette. She was stranded somewhere. I had no idea how she ended up there. I thought she left school with Jiro. I was left to wash the dishes because the dishwasher went kaboom the other day. Odette decided to test what it could wash aside from utensils. It didn't end well."I saw it comin', I let it goMy girls will tell me, 'I told you so.'But I was so intrigued by your style, boyAlways been a sucker for a wild boyI'm better than this, I know my wo
Larissa's viewpointIt is time!I happily pulled my yellow and black Adidas running shoes into my feet, humming happily and nodding my head to the song. It was Saturday and my parents were going to meet Zayne's. We were meeting at one of their family friend's house this time. I was extremely excited."Alright!" I jumped to my feet energetically, then bounced to the mirror to check how I looked in the outfit. Since I wasn't sure how the day would turn out, I wore something simple and sporty. It was like how I used to dress before only that the clothes were more expensive and less flashy colored.I wore a magenta Adidas tracksuit with a black criss-cross back sports bra with a fancy back clasp, a scoop neckline, and a little extra push-up. The bra was printed with three shades of pink, magenta included. I zipped up the tracksuit of course. I also prepared extra clothes just in case of an emergency.Mikayla braided my hair. I was wearing my hair in pretty stylish braids, like an African
Larissa's viewpointI ate in silence, smiling and watching everyone chatter merrily. The games ended nicely and I was exhausted. Rominic won the game. I don't know how but against him, my strength was nothing. He paralyzed my legs and arms just by touching me and then he won the right to have me on his side of the football game. Of course, we had Zyaire, Jewels' Dad, and two of Rominic's Asian friends on our team along with others. We won, again. That gave us the right to choose how the karaoke game will go down tomorrow.Rihanna took a serious liking to Odette and stuck to her like glue. She sat on Odette's lap, grinning from ear to ear like one of her favorite cartoon characters jumped into the real world and fell in love with her. For some reason, she thought Odette was mega cool and Starliss was a star fairy. She had her small hand holding Star tight, refusing to let her sit anywhere other than beside her. I'm happy for her.Zayne had to sit next to Odette, making Odette sit betwe
Zayne's viewpointContentment. I was getting used to that feeling. Even though I had a lot going on for me, I never felt that way once before I met Larissa again, but I finally felt as though I achieved that. I wasn't halfway done with the plans I made for myself, but those plans no longer mattered. Sitting on the bed with my back resting against the headboard, watching her sleep peacefully and hugging my pillow, I felt all of that.It was because the seed of confidence I planted in her was finally sprouting. It was because her father wholeheartedly acknowledged me and gave me the go-ahead to get rid of Neo. It was because my family felt whole. Starliss agreed to assist me. Yes, it has a lot to do with what her father said about Neo.I always used to wonder if no one saw what he was doing to her. It didn't sound like something serious but for someone as easily manipulated as Risa, it was a huge problem. He bent her to his will. He made her live the way he wanted. He inflicted insecuri
Starliss' viewpoint"Yes! It's karaoke night! We're going to rock, baby!" Larissa screamed, throwing her fist into the air. Odette imitated her. That was the horror of karaoke night, the main reason we never added it to the things we do together. Larissa's voice was a free ride to the migraine kingdom and Odette's was a one-way ticket to bleeding ears. Now add them together, that's a VIP ticket to your grave.No one was looking forward to that. The people who hadn't heard them sing had no idea the terrorists they were about to unleash, but we knew, and our only hope was Zayne and Tristan. They were the only ones who could stop them from getting close to the mikes. Odette was easier to stop than Larissa. She was quite stubborn when it came to singing."We will work in teams," Savia said, "Everyone's name will be chosen randomly from this box. Serene, Zachary, Zayne, Dad Uncle Gael, Jiayi, and Phineas as well. This is so winning will be fair—""There's no such thing as fair for whoever
Larissa's viewpointI stared at myself in the mirror feeling detached from my body. I'd been feeling that way since I told Zayne what Neo told me. I didn't know why but I felt a bit disconnected from reality even if I felt completely fine. It was hard to understand but I couldn't shake off the feeling that something was wrong with me. Neo only said that because he was angry at the time. He didn't mean it and he blamed himself a lot. I forgave him, or at least, I thought I did. Didn't I? If I did, why did it still hurt?I wanted to think deeply about it but I feared that it was a topic I did not want to touch. Zayne made me spill a lot of harsh words Neo has said to me in the past. I knew I shouldn't have told him because it'd make him hate Neo more, but somewhere deep down, I also knew that I wanted him to. I needed to admit that I liked Zayne hating Neo and at the same time, I didn't. I couldn't understand what was wrong with me."Larissa! Larissa!" I heard Starliss scream. I jumped