Before Summer Break I knew I was in love with you. Was I a fool for thinking you were in love with me too? - Jesu Nadal Natalie - I don’t like it when West snaps at me after making love. It makes me feel used. As if I could give him everything and still it wouldn’t be enough. I wipe my tears and take a deep breath to calm myself down. Sometimes he doesn’t even want to come near me. This is one of those days. I get it he is upset and occupied. But whenever he does this, it makes me feel abandoned and ugly. I look at my face in the mirror and wash it in hopes of reducing the redness spread across my eyes. After a while, he opens the bathroom door and says, “Come to bed…” “So you could fuck me, then shut me out again?” I ask with indifference. He sighs. ”Nat…” He takes a step towards me, trying to touch my arm, but I shrug him off. He stands there for a while, then says, “Sometimes I wish I hadn’t told you anything. You worry too much… and you know how I feel about it...” “Yeah
Party - Natalie - West has been avoiding me. I know he was on vacation during initial week. But something was odd. After vacation, he told me his father was giving him a hard time, and he needed space. Then more and more excuses. Even though he never said anything to me, I tried to move on… But then he would breadcrumb and pull me back. He barely talks or texts these days, but doesn’t leave me alone either. So last night, I confronted him. I asked Why didn’t he call me? Why was his phone always busy? He asked if I was trying to spy on him. I was not! I just missed him. When called, his phone was busy. Every. Damn. Time. Doesn’t he miss me? In school, it’s formal between us, but at night, we used to talk about anything to everything. When my mind wanders to dark corners, I tell myself It’s just a rough patch. He opened his heart to me. Told me his troubles at home. I told him about my insecurities. He is always pushing me to do better. I am always there to support him. ‘We
Reckless - Natalie - I usually avoid parties. That explains the surprised faces when they see me there. Riley says it’s because I look stunning. I catch up with some old acquaintances I know from race competitions in town. Finally, the three of us stand there while West talks about his plans for the next match. He could talk all day long about his upcoming game as if he doesn't spend enough time with his playing, practicing and planning with his team. At Least there is something that makes him happy. After a while, Norris calls out his name, “Hey WEST! Look who’s here?” We turn and West laugh, “Oh my Fucking GOD!” He walks over to Norris. “Who’s that?” Riley asks me. I glance in the direction and ask who? “That Muscular tall boy…” Then I spot him.. Standing next to Norris. I sigh. “I wish I had that kind of tanned skin..” She laughs. “You are perfect the way you are.” I snort. Mom says that alot. I find it hard to believe. “I am seeing him for the first time? West seem
Girl Like me? - Natalie - The next few days go in a blur. I am too numb to process things or talk to Riley. Completely confused if I am supposed to warn her or If West is right and I was just expecting a relationship when he didn’t want anything from me. Shit has hit fan in school too. I have been isolated. I am still avoiding West & Riley for the last three days. I understand Riley’s confusion. But I don’t understand why the hell West is still approaching me. I am giving him the fucking space he often asked for. Why doesn’t he just enjoy it? As I sit in my room just blankly staring out the window, a chime from my phone breaks my trance. Both of them have been texting me a lot. I am reading her messages, but avoiding him. I will probably have to talk to them. Both of them. I need to make sure he doesn’t use Riley as he used me. Riley: ‘You have no idea how much I am missing you. Can we please talk? West isn’t telling me anything.’ Riley: ‘I hate it when you guys fight.’ Me: ‘Com
His first crush — A Year Later — - Jacob - . “It’s time Jacob!! I told you to get ready half-hour ago!” I grunt, trying to reach my shoes below the bed. I should listen to my mom often. It’s getting more and more difficult to find things in this messy room lately. And how the hell did my shoe go this far under the bed? Coco’s deed. I am sure. They say dogs don’t hold grudges, but I call it animal dung theory. She knows how to annoy me. I should have taken her for a walk last night. “Just Go!! I know their house, “I yelled at mom in annoyance and grimace immediately. “OK!! We will talk about your condescending tone later.” I wince, imagining the late-night lecture. Thanks, Coco. She sits next to me amused, watching me move the bed. It’s heavy… Wish I hadn’t thrown all my shit on bed earlier. Considering the level of enthusiasm, I should be the first one to reach there. But looks like, Thanks to Coco, we will exercise play-it-cool tonight. This girl has been on my mind ever since
Kisses - Jacob - . Just when we are about to head home, I ask for her number discreetly. With her father nearby, I don’t want to be open about it. I really behaved like an idiot at the dinner table. She must be thinking, I am some awkward dork or something. Technically, I am in many aspects. I just don’t want her to know about it. Not yet. I couldn’t be happier when she obliged and entered her number into my phone. My smile widens when I see the contact name she entered ‘Dull-Mean-Happening-Girl. Too long but works. She is a tease and I like that... Her dating life probably isn’t as clean as a slate like mine. I hope I can leave an impression good enough to convince her to date. After Mom’s lecture about my tone, my room, and my ungrateful attitude in general, I am ready for bed. My fingers are itching to text her. I give myself several excuses like ‘she doesn’t have my number yet’ or ‘ We need to figure out a weekend study session schedule‘. I ignore it’s only Tuesday, and we
15. Official girlfriend- Natalie -.I reach my locker and rub the obscenities scribbled over my locker. It’s chalk today. That’s a plus! I had to file a complaint when somebody used spray paint. Dumb people didn’t know about the camera nearby. Things are way better now. Whenever some new topic stirs in school, they usually forget me. Whenever they get back on me for whatever reason, it’s usually the same shit. Leaders of the bully associations will agree, they need to come up with better insults.“Hey”Riley!I turn my head towards the soft voice and nod my head, smiling. The past year was probably the hardest for her (apart from me). Because she doesn’t know what exactly happened to trigger all this mess. She created some distance first, but then tried to rekindle the friendship after a few months. Not sure if she approached me out of pity or if she just missed me? We were good friends, after all. Even before West was in the picture to ruin everything.Despite her efforts, we haven
17. It’s barely step one - Jacob - . “I thought you were coming to our school today?” West sits next to me in the locker room wearing his shoes after our match practice. “No man... one more week. Next Monday, to be exact.” I frown, “I thought I told you about that chemistry competition on Sunday..” West scoffs, “You indeed are a dork!” and walks out of the locker room. Nerd would be more appropriate. But Ok.. Whatever gets you off West. If someone from Maple High would have teased me, I might have taken offense. But I know West doesn’t mean it like that. He is crude to everyone. His default mode. I like him. He is fun to be around and surprisingly cool for things other boys have embarrassed me about. I am looking forward to attending school with him. I am sure we will have some of the classes together. With Natalie too. She and I can be good friends. Or maybe more. I am eager to meet her in the evening again. She told me she would like to take a walk with Coco. I wonder if s
Upcoming Books in 'Not Sure Anymore Series':– Riley and ?? - An age gap Romance after 1 year: 'Ruining My Enemy's Daughter' (onGoing)– West - Making of a Don- after 2 years (Coming Soon) – Norris and June - Brother’s Best friend Romance after 2 years (Coming Soon)– Ira & Liam - Second chance romance after 5 years (Coming Soon)– West and ?? - Mafia Romance after 10 years (Coming Soon)---- 'Ruining My Enemy's Daughter' (onGoing) ----- "Typical Women. They want everything. Don’t they? They want money. A big house. A good fucking bank balance and when you work hard, pour your sweat and blood for them. They cheat.... She hurt me by choosing him years ago. It's my time to hurt them back." - Mikolaj … … Riley is reeling under the trauma of her assault. She needs kindness and compassion in her life. Someone to help her pick her bits and pieces and make her whole again. Mikolaj is someone she shouldn’t be around. He is a ruthless CEO out for vengeance on her parents. How will she
- Jacob - . “When are you coming home?” June pouts over the video call that has been going past 15 minutes. I am surprised how she finds so many things to talk about with me nowadays. Turns out Mom and dad have been breathing down her neck ever since I left for college. Now I realize maybe Mom and dad didn't exactly have any special grudge with me. They just needed someone to bicker all the time. I feel bad about June, because I know how overbearing they can be. “June, I cannot come this weekend.” I don’t have money and time! “Why!” “I am busy with studies..” “How come Norris is not busy but you are… he is going home the same weekend I am asking you to come,” she says and I frown. Yea… Sometimes I wish to switch places with Norris. Especially when I feel I am not giving Natalie proper attention. I could really use some free time. Wait a minute…. “How do you know Norris is coming home that week?” She flushers. “Uhmm… I… just know. Gotta go bye!” she says and cuts the call.
Epilogue - II.- Natalie -.“She will probably sprinkle holy water all over in there,” Jacob quips as we walk out of my room. It makes me giggle.He is probably right.I never knew she was so devoted to her religion when I came here for a runner program last year.She is nice.. But too rigid sometimes.I try not to judge her, but she judges me all the damn time.“I wish I could rent an apartment,” I say ruefully. He hums and rubs my back.Jacob has his own Two-room apartment he shares with Norris, whereas I had nobody to share the rent. Ira and Riley wanted to stay on campus as it’s much cheaper and with travel costs in picture there was no point spending money elsewhere.We walk towards the restaurant to meet Ira and Riley for lunch. They are roommates now. I feel jealous as fuck sometimes.”How is Riley doing?”“She is good.. mostly good… She finally started seeing this guy who was following her around for the past two months,” I hope something works out for her. I am glad she is
117. Epilogue—A Year Later—- Jacob -.My phone pings for the third time, and I roll my eyes. Jeez.. Have patience, girl! I pull out my phone and check it anyway. Just to be sure she doesn't have some surprising news at the last minute. My-Impatient-Girlfriend: ‘Where the hell are you?’Me: ‘Almost there… your building’s security guard is slow.’Damn Slow…I am here to see her and right now we are on a timer. According to Natalie, we only have 20 minutes left. I hate being on a timer, but I am desperate too. As soon as the guard lets me into the building, I make a run for her dorm-room.18 minutes…I have raced through this building many times. But this time I am too late. Two more minutes to see her. Time is too short today.“Oh wow! Hey Jacob…”I wince at hearing her voice. I turn and wave at Ira.“I… will see you at lunch! Bye!” I say without stopping for her.She laughs and yells at me, “I don’t think you will make it this time. "Yeah, mock me. I turn and smirk. “Oh I will, I a
116. When she went missing - Trigger Warning - Implied Rape- West -.Everything is dark and blurry…Pungent smell of blood and urine is all over the place. I can hear someone sobbing. I blink repeatedly, trying to focus. Dread sets in my heart when I realize it’s Riley.How? What happened?I know it’s her.I am trying to think and turn my head to look for her. I heard her scream.Fuck!They got hold of her… My head is throbbing as I conclude the obvious
115. Make it work - Jacob - . We both lay on the floor in my closet, our limbs tangled in each other. “We should go to bed… “I say, sighing heavily. “No..” She whines. “I don’t want a sore back again, Natalie.. “ We have been laying here for the past hour. She hugs me tight with determination so I cannot get up. “This is not fair! “ I grumble. “You got a nice little mattress called Jacob… What about me?” She giggles and gets up. “I have news..” she says while grabbing my T-shirt to wear. I look at her, and she drops the bombshell. “Dad asked you to join us for breakfast.” Ahh fuck… “I knew this was coming…” I sigh. I cannot keep sleeping with his daughter while avoiding him altogether. “Don’t worry…” she says in a fake sympathetic voice, “I told him not to push you around this time.” That makes me laugh, and she grins back at me. “It’s not a pleasant experience to fall on your bum.” I tell her while getting back into the room. “How would you feel if my family aske
–Present Day–- Natalie -.Nowadays, I spend my time with Riley as much as I can. Sometimes we style each other’s hair while watching movies. Sometimes we paint. I suck at it.Sometimes we bake. She sucks at it. I can see her mood improving a little every day. I have been convincing her to go to prom with us.“Norris would love to take you as his date.” I tell her as I realize that she is thinking about the date, or maybe West.She isn’t angry with him. Maybe she had been telling the truth all along. There was no sexual assault. It doesn’t make sense though.She shrugs. “Okay!”“Really!” My eyes widen.She laughs. “Yeah why not..”I have to make sure Norris isn’t taking anybody else.Sh*t Sh*t Sh*t!Once we exhaust all our options to pass our time, we go out cycling. I take her to the campsite by the lake, where I spent that night with Jacob. We sit there for hours and I tell her stories of college campus. I tell her about my hot coach and how Jacob was green with envy when he met
114. That Day – Three weeks ago – - West - . When I reach home, I stiffen to realize someone is inside. Alfred is usually out at this time and doesn’t come back until late at night. I open the door carefully and see Riley sitting by the kitchen counter doing her schoolwork. She still has the keys. “You are late,” she says. I blink at her. She turns and raises her brow, expecting an answer from me. It makes me smile. “I didn’t want to come back to an empty house.” I admit. That damn call from Spain has messed up my head today. I am not sure how I am feeling exactly. “What are you doing here?” I ask as I notice a cake box, some flowers and a tiny gift sitting on the counter next to her bag. Considering the way she snapped at me in the parking lot, I am sure it’s not for me. “Bought these for Mom’s birthday… “ She says then asks after a pause, “Do you remember who else’s birthday it is today?” I sigh. She is here to pick up a fight. That day when she saw the pics… She was t
113. Confused - West - . It’s for the first time I have ever been alone for this long. Single is the word, I guess. I tried to convince Riley, and I tried hard. But then I realized she can be God damn stubborn when she wants to be. In the next few days, a few things happened… Subtle, but enough to put me on edge and I felt it was better to leave her alone. “What happened to your girlfriend?” Caleb had asked. “None of your business!” He chuckled. “I know you guys broke up.” He shoves my personal information in my face to show me he keeps tabs on me. His tactics are getting old and have little effect on me. His requests to keep his precious packages secured in my house have increased. I have an inkling he is trying to set up a business for himself. I just hope he doesn’t drag me in his mess. “You must miss her in bed.” “Don’t push me Caleb.” I warned him. He shrugged. “If you are not dating her, I guess it’s an open pass for me-” I punched his face before he could complete his