When we were little, it seemed anything I could do, Corey could do better. Except computers though, that was probably the only thing I could beat him at. That and P.E.Every time I thought I do something worthy of praise, Corey would've done something even better and our parent's wouldn't even spare time a glance. After we finished elementary school, I stopped trying to impress them or make them acknowledge me or anything like that. I thought life couldn't possibly get worse than this. I really should've learn to stop jinxing myself from then. I've had kids laugh at me and call me nerd before that point, but Corey's always been there to defend me. Despite also, in a way, being a nerd, Corey always had a higher social status than me in school and was actually pretty popular. When we got to middle school and had different class schedules..I started to understand how cruel life could get. Harry Madison and his henchman and woman, Mace Turner and Olive 'Liv' Zamora showed me that. P
"Wait, are you two really planning to fight?" Hailey rushed in between us. "We're not fighting 'fighting', right Jin?""Says the girl who told me she wasn't going to hold back against me," Jin reminded.I glare half-heartedly at him. "Relax Hailey, we're not going to hurt each other." Jin nodded in agreement. "Fine, fine," Hailey gave in. "But are you sure you can fight in that?"She was referring to my outfit. I was currently garbed simply in knee length shorts and a short sleeved (unfortunately plain) shirt. It's been warmer recently so I left my coat I'm Hailey's car."I'm pretty comfortable in these. Actually I think I can fight in anything..except heels though. They're the bane of my existence," I informed. "Uh, well, no. I meant your glasses.""Oh." I suppose that made more sense. "Yeah, I can. It's more of a handicap fighting without then. Or maybe an 'eyedicap'?" I mused out loud. Hailey blinked at me. "Right then. I'm cheering for you.""Thanks.""Ready?' Jin asked me. "
I almost flinched at the sound of his voice. Today's Friday. Yes, why did I forget? Court had adjourned yesterday for a case my dad was working on and he was supposed to be back today. "I believe I asked you a question " my dad folded his arms. Fudge. What do I say? The truth..doesn't really sound like the truth now that I think about it. "Yeah, sorry. I was out with a friend," I told him. It wasn't exactly a lie but my dad raised his eyebrows all the same. When he makes that expression, he reminds me of Corey. Sometimes I wonder if I look like that too. "Out with a friend," my dad repeats, "while your little sister was home alone, you were out with a friend?"At times like this, I knew it was best not to say anything. "I'm asking you a question.""I'm sorry, it won't happen again."My dad runs his hand through his wavy, dark hair. "See that it doesn't."I nodded and started heading upstairs. "Cora," he called. I stopped. "Yeah?""I didn't know you had friends.""Me neither,"
I always right past a cemetery on the way to school. I was looking over the headstones as I passed thinking to myself these ones people who laughed and ate and lived and loved. And now they won't anymore. Today though, I stopped my bike having the urge to go in. I gave him to said urges. After securing my bike near the gate I walked in. I didn't think I would remember the way through the rows and rows grey headstones, trees and brushes but I forged along anyway with only muscle memory to guide me. I stopped at a turning...and it was right there just like I remembered from all those years ago. Nothing had changed really. Timeless in a way. The cemetery was so silent, it was almost deafening. My hand caressed the headstone. The name on it read: SAVANNAH McGREW, and it's been three years on this very date since she died. Death is a funny thing. One moment you see someone's smiling face and the next you hear of them..dead. Pale, cold, unmoving. And the only thing you have left are th
Apparently, me and Theo's face-to-face had made it's rounds through school, if I'm reading the pointed glares I'm getting from other girls in the hallway correctly. Seriously..people, get a life. Plus it was completely harmless. 'Or was it,' a voice in my head questioned before I snuffed it out immediately. I've got enough self critism to last me a lifetime, plus a chemistry pop quiz after lunch I need to prepare for. I certainly don't need to add second guessing Theo's every gesture towards me to the list. I was making my way back to the main hallway from the gym locker room, which was down a couple of stairs, when I got cornered by the same group of girls as the last time.Great. Just great. "Listen, Tory –" one of them started."It's Cora and I really don't want to," I interrupted, "I've got more important things to do so if you'll please.""That's our line," the loud one from before spoke up."You know, we said you weren't a threat before and we still stand by that. So don't e
I dragged myself to work after school. No really, that's how it felt. Since I sorta forgot my bike at the cemetery, I had to go get that first before transporting myself to work. "Hey Cora," Liam greeted me in his monotonous tone as I walked in. "Afternoon lis- I mean Liam," I cleared my throat. Liam narrowed his eyes but didn't say anything. After I'd changed and gotten back to the front desk, Liam handed me a clipboard. "Mr Ross wants you to look over the deliveries to make sure they got everything.""On it."This is part of the job I like. But unfortunately good things don't last forever..or even a whole shift. I spent the next few hours reorganizing and checking items off the list and I especially enjoyed sorting through the new RAMs and GPUs, of course calmly and professionally and totally not drooling over. I also didn't squeal and jump excitedly when I saw the solar powered control panel that Mr Ross let me order for my project. Well technically I'm paying it off with th
Aand that's how I found myself at a restaurant with Jin despite my numerous protests. And numerous they were. The sunny side diner had a sleek, minimalist design yet still managed to remain chic and contemporary dining. The restaurant’s exterior was a blend of glass and steel, with large windows that showcase the vibrant interior. Low, ambient lighting casted a warm glow over polished wooden floors and high-backed leather chairs of the booth we seated at.I just sat there with my hands crossed shooting glares at Jin despite agreeing to the whole thing. "You look cute when you pout," Jin complimented while my face caught fire. "Don't just say random things you don't mean," I said through gritted teeth even while my face remained uncontrollably hot. Jin's perfectly sculpted eyebrows furrowed just the slightest. "And you know I don't mean it how?""W-well I mean..it's obvious isn't it? You're just flattering me..""And you think that because..?""Because," I started harshly but my t
Turns out the chemistry pop quiz I missed on Monday was actually ten percent of our grade. Just my luck right?But the class rep informed us after homeroom that there was going to be a make-up test for it just after lunch for those of us who missed it. Mr Manners is really the nicest.This time though, I have to be in the right headspace. Surprisingly, it hasn't really been that hard to do..Theo's been less annoying all day. All week if I'm being honest. Not that I'm complaining. I think it started after school on Tuesday, after this man came to talk to him. Who the man was he never said but he's been pretty restrained since then. "Hey Cora, you don't mind if I join you, right? Thanks!" A familiar blonde plops down next to me. This doesn't feel familiar at all. "Yeah of course Hailey. Go ahead." Unfortunately (fortunately?) she didn't seem to notice my sarcasm. "Hi Cole, Theo," Hailey waved instead towards them. "Hi," Cole greeted back, while Theo acknowledged her presence wit
The pulse of music hit me like a physical force as I approached Theo’s front door. The repetitive bass was on the inside with a steady, hypnotic rhythm, and even though I was outside, it muffled the city noise behind me. The house was buzzing with voices, the noise being the result of the conversation, laughter, and even voices going from one side to another which raced my heart up to the chest.I paused at the end of the little road, the pale light coming through the windows painted the yard in a soft hue and made it glow. The cold, empty atmosphere outside was very much a contrast to this. I could see curtains moving, shadows of people who were dancing and talking, living without the weight that I felt like an iron blanket pushing down on me.After taking in the situation for a second, I felt my lungs pull in the air before I crept closer. Just then the door gave way slightly, with the golden bordered opening all set for a welcome. As I opened it I got hit by a tidal wave of heat
My heart thudded like a trapped bird against her ribcage as I sat in the sterile, cold waiting room. The faint hum of the fluorescent lights above buzzed in my ears, blending with the sterile smell of disinfectant. My mother sat next to me, a silent pillar of resolve. She glanced at me, eyes sharp, no emotion reflecting in them.“It’s for the best, Cora,” my mother said, her voice steady but lacking warmth.I nodded absently, fingers twisting the edge of my sweater. The room felt tight, pressing in around me as if the air was thinning. When the nurse called my name, I stood on legs that felt like they could give way at any second. My mother followed, her heels clicking in precise, determined steps.The OBGYN, a woman in her late forties with kind eyes, greeted them with practiced calm. I sat down, feeling the crinkle of the paper on the exam chair beneath her. The doctor spoke gently, going through the necessary questions, her voice a metronome of facts and routine. My mind started to
The end of the week brought a strange sense of nervous excitement for me, (minus the excitement part) knowing the party was just a day away. But it was more than that. Everything was building up, from the ‘heist’ plan’s aftermath to tomorrow. Seems everything was building around tomorrow. Still, I tried to keep myself steady as I sat down with Hailey at our usual spot in the cafeteria.Theo joined us, sliding his tray onto the table just across from me with that effortlessly casual look he always managed. But Hailey’s eyes were sharp, a gleam of mischief practically radiating from her.Hailey raised a brow, glancing between the two of them, before breaking into a grin that practically spelled mischief. "So, Cora," she began, drawing out each word in that knowing tone she always used when she was about to embarrass someone. Namely myself. "I was pretty sure you had a thing with Jin for a hot second there."I looked up, instantly on high alert. “Wait—what?” I managed, blinking. “Me an
I sat at our usual table in the cafeteria, barely picking at my sandwich, my eyes darting between Theo, Hailey, and Jin (I'm not even going to ask what he was doing in the cafeteria of his old school) as I spilled out the details of my situation. Today was the day of that appointment, and the thought alone made my stomach twist.“So, this is it?” Hailey said, leaning in close, her voice dropping to a whisper at the end. “Your mom is really making you go through with… that?”“Unless we can figure out a way to stop her.” I pushed my tray aside, feeling my resolve strengthen. “She’s got it all scheduled out, and once my mom makes up her mind…” I trailed off, leaving the rest unsaid. They all knew what I meant.“So, what’s the plan?” Hailey asked. Her face was all business, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Because I’m assuming you’re not going through with it, right?”Theo leaned back, crossing his arms as he studied me. “Yeah, what’s the plan here, Kinsley? Are you suggesting we stage
I felt sick. Not as in a cold, sick. No, this was something else. A sickness that started somewhere deeper, gnawing at my stomach, tightening my chest. Something more... emotional. No. I couldn’t even call it that because I didn’t–couldn't admit that I felt anything.I wasn’t supposed to care. I wasn’t supposed to feel anything about Catty flirting with Theo. He wasn’t ‘mine’ to feel anything about. But the look on his face, the way he didn’t push her away, didn’t tell her to stop, made something inside me twist in a way I didn’t want to acknowledge.It's sort of frustrating because Theo isn’t even..I'm not even supposed to be having thoughts this way relating to him. Right now, he’s just doing his part of the plan.And Catty? She’s my sister. She’s family. I should want to protect her, even when she’s awful to me, even when she lies. Isn’t that what sisters are supposed to do? So why do I feel this... sharpness in my chest, this burning under my skin every time I think about how clos
I woke up with a dull ache behind my eyes, the kind that came from thinking too hard for too long. I’d barely slept. The memory of yesterday, my outburst at Theo, replayed in her head on a loop. My heart clenched every time I remembered how I’d opened up—raw and exposed—before retreating as fast as I could.Now, sitting at the breakfast table, I picked at my cereal, barely registering the clink of my spoon against the bowl. How the hell was I supposed to face him today? Would things be awkward? I already knew the answer to that. Ugh. I pushed away the bowl of cereal. Would he even mention what happened, or would he act like nothing had changed?Part of me hoped for the latter. Part of me hated how much I cared.---I made my way into school with my head down, eyes focused on the cracks in the sidewalk. The usual hustle and bustle of the morning crowd buzzed around me, but my mind was miles away. I didn’t even notice Theo leaning against the school gate (why was he doing that anyway?
I sat at the kitchen table, my back straight, and my eyes fixed on the textbook in front of me. The house was quieter than usual, my parents moving around in their respective corners like the distant figures they always were. I could hear the faint murmur of her mom’s phone call from the next room, discussing something important about her job, while my dad was out in the backyard, watering the garden.Everything seemed... peaceful. Or at least, it should have been. But beneath the surface, I felt the strain of it all. Like a tightly wound cord that could snap at any time. My mom breezed into the room, glancing at the table where I had spread out my schoolwork. “I see you're really taking your studies seriously these days,” she said without much warmth. “As you should. Keep it up and make us proud like your brother, instead of whatever it was you used to do.”That was it. No nod of approval. No smile, no praise, just the confirmation that I was doing exactly what I should. As expect
My fingers fidgeted with the straps of her bag as she approached the café where Hailey had asked them to meet. I paused outside for a moment, exhaling a shaky breath. The bell above the café door chimed as I walked in, and my eyes quickly scanned the room. Hailey was already seated in a booth near the back, waving me over. Theo sat beside her, looking sinfully gorgeous and as always effortlessly composed, his eyes meeting mine as I walked over. My heart did an unfamiliar, traitorous flutter, and I reminded herself to breathe. I mean it's just Theo. Right?“Hey!” Hailey chirped, her eyes bright with excitement. “Come, sit! We’ve got so much to talk about.”I slid into the booth across from them, trying to act casual, though my mind was still racing. “So… what’s the big plan?” I asked, glancing between Hailey and Theo.Theo gave her a small nod, his calm presence both reassuring and nerve-wracking at the same time. Why was Theo here? Is he a part of this big plan Hailey came up with?
After the most fitful night of sleep ever, I woke up that morning with a sense of dread, you know, the kind that clings to you like a heavy blanket you can’t shake off. The house was quieter than usual, but not the comforting kind. It was the unsettling quiet that hinted something wasn’t right.Of course, I knew what wasn't right. After yesterday, how could I not?I dragged myself out of bed, while feeling profoundly weary, to try to get ready for school even though I felt like shutting myself in for like..ever. I sighed, rubbing the sleep out of my eyes, hoping the feeling would recede once I went downstairs and had a shit ton of coffee. Spoiler alert. It didn’t.Mom was already in the kitchen when I got there, a very rare occurrence, and her presence instantly sent a ripple of unease through me. She glanced at me while I was descending the stairs, sipping her coffee, her posture stiff as though bracing herself for a conversation I wasn’t ready for. To be honest, I would've turne