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
Theo's POV I get awakened from my peaceful Monday morning nap by the sound of loud voices. I rubbed the sleep out of my eyes trying to look for the source of the noise which just happened to be in front of the class. A student slammed his hand on a nearby desk, effectively bringing me out of my stupor. "Threw it all away, huh? You don't think this counts as 'throwing it all away'?" I can't believe I'm getting disturbed by this. "It doesn't have to be," a familiar voice said quietly. Wait..is that Cora? What's she doing here? He reached out for Cora's arm and held it. "You're right. It doesn't have to be..you could still say yes." "Tony..you're hurting me." Tony..? Isn't that the guy who had a problem with me the other day? More importantly..did she just say he's hurting her? I got the answer to that question pretty quickly. From my vantage point, I could see the tight grip he had on her hand. Normally I don't like interfering with people when they're having
I blinked awake, wincing at the filtered light coming in through the window. I tried to sit up but a hand pushed me back down. My head hurt and my throat was so dry it felt like I'd been in the desert for weeks without water. "Hey sleepy head. You're finally awake," Hailey smiled at me, handing me a glass of water, which I drank eagerly. "Hey..slowly now," Hailey cautioned after I started coughing."What happened?" I croaked. "Where are we?"Hailey furrowed her eyebrows. "You don't remember? You fell. We're in the infirmary, "Hailey handed me my glasses.The room in the infirmary featured a single examination bed, covered with a clean, disposable sheet. The walls are painted in soft, calming colors and adorned with educational posters that were meant to be soothing.Bits and pieces started coming back to me. "I fainted..in the chemistry lab."Hailey nodded. "So I heard. We were in the art studio when we heard a commotion over at the lab adjacent to us, so we went to check it out.
The snowstorm outside had painted the windows with thick layers of frost, muffling the world beyond, a stark contrast to the swirling chaos outside. Theo stood at the door looking ethereally resplendent amongst the snow. He'd worn a black turtleneck and dark wash pants with a grey suit jacket. I finally dragged my eyes up to his deep blue ones, which seemed..concerned? A flurry of snowflakes swirling around him as he stood there, bundled against the storm. "Cora," Theo's voice was a soft echo in the frosty air, concern etched in the lines of his face. "Can I come in?" I nodded, stepping back to allow him entry. I watched as he brushed snow from his jacket, the tension in the room palpable. We stood facing each other, words hanging unspoken between us like icicles ready to shatter. "I had to come after what happened," Theo finally broke the silence, his voice low but steady. "Are you okay?" "Yeah," I replied, my voice barely a whisper. "Just...dealing with the fallout." Theo's e
I had a light bulb moment when I thought, 'hey, these two are here because of me right? If I can just find some other common ground, something that can these two occupied so they won't be at the other's throat, won't that be great?'But all thoughts of settling this tension went over my head the moment I stood up. An intense, debilitating pounding headache overtook me, and my hand flew over my mouth as an overwhelmingly nauseating feeling passed through me, making me regret my decision to have dinner at all.Theo stop up, reaching out but not quite touching me. "H-hey, are you good?""She's fine," Jin retorted from his position, still seated. "She's not some damsel you need to rescue you know?" He turned to me, "Right, Cora?"I couldn't even bring myself to reply. My limbs felt flaccid like my body wanted nothing more than to crumple to the floor. Which would be two times too many. And the last thing I want is to look weak. Through a miracle or the sheer force of my will, I made it
The first thing I noticed when I woke up was the warmth. Not just the sun streaming through the cracks in the curtains, but the steady heat of Theo’s arm draped lazily across my waist. His breathing was soft, steady—almost too peaceful for someone like him.I turned my head slightly, careful not to wake him. His room was… different, seeing it in the morning light. Minimal, yes, but not cold. There were books stacked haphazardly on the desk next to his bed too (does he actually read a lot?), a pair of running shoes by the door, and a framed photo of him as a baby and his mom on the nightstand. It was the kind of place that felt like him, even without him in it.“Morning, snooper,” came Theo’s voice, low and rough with sleep. I jumped slightly as his eyes fluttered open, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.“Wasn’t snooping,” I mumbled, cheeks heating. “I was just… observing.”“Sure you were.” He stretched, the lazy grin still firmly in place. “How’d you sleep?”“Like a rock,” I admitted.
The drive to school is quiet. Not uncomfortable, exactly—but quiet in a way that makes the silence heavy. Cole hums to himself at the wheel, occasionally drumming his fingers on the steering wheel to fill the space. I glance at Theo from the corner of my eye. He’s been tapping his knee in a steady rhythm, stealing glances at me when he thinks I won’t notice.It’s almost...cute. If I let myself think about it too much, my face might betray me, so I focus on the scenery passing by instead.The truth is, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking. About everything. About leaving. About what comes next. About Theo. Mostly Theo.I’m not used to people looking out for me like he does. It’s new. Unfamiliar. It’s also not something I can depend on. I’ve been on my own for too long to let someone else shoulder my burdens.Still, every time I catch those soft glances of his, something inside me twists and warms in ways I can’t quite explain.“Here okay?” Cole’s voice pulls me out of my thoughts. We’re
I stepped into my room, shutting the door behind myself with trembling hands. The air felt heavy, a stark contrast to the storm raging in my chest. My eyes darted around the familiar space, landing on the small trinkets and scattered notebooks that had once provided solace. Now, they felt meaningless, relics of a life I’d just shattered. My legs gave way, and I sank to the floor. The sobs came suddenly, raw and guttural, as I clutched my knees to my chest. Relief mingled with fear, creating a chaotic symphony in her mind. I was free. I was lost. My breath was uneven as the flood of emotions continued. The room seemed to close in on me, the walls echoing the words of betrayal and anger from earlier. A soft knock on the door broke through my haze. “Cora?” Hailey’s voice was hesitant but warm. The door creaked open, and Hailey stepped in, eyes widening as she took in the scene…well me. Without a word, she crossed the room and knelt beside me. Hailey placed a gentle hand on my
The cool evening air did little to soothe the fire burning inside me. I stood by the garden gate, hugging myself as if the weight of my own arms could hold me together. It didn’t. Not after what I’d just seen.Jin. And Catty.The memory played over and over in my mind, each repetition sharper than the last. The way he leaned in. The way their lips met. And the worst part—he knew I was there. He had to have known.I swallowed hard, forcing the lump in my throat back down where it belonged. Crying wasn’t an option. Not here, not now. Not over him.A sound behind me broke through my thoughts. When I turned, my breath caught. Jin was standing a few feet away, his face shadowed but unmistakably him.He didn’t speak at first, just stared at me with an expression I couldn’t place. Guilt? Regret? It didn’t matter.“Cora—”“Don’t.” My voice was sharper than I intended, but I didn’t care. I held up a hand to stop him. “Don’t try to explain. I don’t want to hear it.”But of course, he didn’t sto
Theo's POVThe house buzzed with the hum of preparation. Cole had taken the lead, barking out orders to the catering staff and fiddling with the sound system like his life depended on it. I'd let him work, hanging back by the bar and sipping a soda. It wasn’t that I wasn’t involved—I’d signed off on the guest list, approved the playlist, and even helped arrange the seating for the VIPs. But tonight, my mind was elsewhere.Or rather, on someone else.I leaned against the counter, staring at nothing in particular. Cora’s face had a way of forcing itself into my thoughts, no matter how much I tried to focus. The way her eyes glinted with defiance whenever she called me out, her small, careful smile when she thought no one was watching—it was maddening. She was maddening. I told myself it was because of the plan. He had to keep Catty close, learn her ‘secrets’. But that excuse rang hollow the more he repeated it.“Stop brooding and help me already,” Cole snapped, waving him over to adju
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