Luke said nothing as he held the rings out for us, but as his eyes met mine, I could see a hint of pure joy in his teary gaze. I teared up a little, too, as I remembered how much our friendship had blossomed over the past few months. “You’ve grown so much,” Luke finally whispered so only I could h
Nina The tick of the lecture hall clock echoed with a relentless rhythm. Each second was a heartbeat closer to the close of the exam and to freedom. The winter had been bitterly cold, and the spring semester had been exhausting. But in that moment, in that vast room with its intense silence, I w
“We’ll all have to go,” Lori said, tucking a strand of black hair behind her ear. “Close out the semester on a good note.” Lori’s words were bittersweet. Because unbeknownst to anyone, Enzo had an announcement to make. A big, huge, life-altering announcement. And it was bound to ruffle some feathe
Nina Enzo leaned heavily on the divider, staring quietly down at the ice. “Enzo?” I prodded him, lifting his chin to meet my gaze. “Tell me you’ve made the announcement.” “I… Erm…” He cleared his throat, his brown eyes darting around somewhat nervously. “Maybe. Sort of.” I folded my arms acr
Before I could reply, the very subject of our conversation made his presence known. “Nina! Enzo!” Matt’s voice echoed across the arena, filled with his characteristic exuberance. I glanced at Enzo, raising an eyebrow as we both turned to greet him. Matt, ever the athlete, was dressed in his usua
Nina The warm, golden hue of the vanity lights cast a soft glow over my reflection, emphasizing the gentle waves in my black hair and the understated smoky eye I had managed after three failed attempts. My fingers worked meticulously as I applied the final touch—a deep shade of maroon to my lips.
Nina The living room was alive with conversation and laughter, the walls echoing the joyous celebrations of the semester’s end. My friends, many of whom I had known since freshman year, were scattered around, some lounging on the plush couches, others congregated in animated discussions around the
Matt’s hand reached out, gripping the railing tighter. The mere mention of Tiffany’s name elicited a deep sadness, a shared grief in all of us. She had left a hole behind that could never be filled. I swallowed hard. “Then there’s Selena,” I continued, my long lost twin’s name feeling heavy on my