So, I'm not gonna be able to update 3 chapters every week for a while. Dealing with some things for the moment..đ But I will try regardless to update weekly, even if its once. Thanks for your understanding. đ¤
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 soft glow of morning filtered through frosted windows, casting a serene light across my room as I stirred from my sleep, my mind gradually clearing from the haze of the previous night's migraine.As I blinked awake, the faint scent of pine needles and cinnamon wafted through the air, reminders of the holiday season. My gaze drifted to her bedside clock.It was still early, the sun barely cresting over the horizon. Winter break meant no rush to get ready for school, a rare luxury I cherished. Yet, the events of the previous evening lingered in my thoughts. I eased myself out of bed, careful not to disturb the peace that enveloped my room for some reason. As I took a quick shower, I tried to recall what happened after the 'temporary truce' between Theo and Jin last night but it felt like waking up from a dream. The more you get awake, the less you remember.Padding across the floor, I wrapped herself in a cozy sweater against the chill. Downstairs, the aroma of freshly brewed coff
The morning sun filtered through the curtains, casting a gentle glow across my room as I lay awake, grappling with the whirlwind of emotions stirred up by Jinâs unexpected kiss. My mind replayed the moment over and over, dissecting every sensation, every fleeting thought that had passed through me in those fleeting seconds. It was my first kissâa supposed tender gesture tinged with confusion and surprise. I rolled over, my gaze drifting to the small clock on my nightstand. The day stretched ahead, uncertain and filled with unanswered questions. Should I confront Jin about what happened? How would I face Jin after this unexpected turn of events? And why do I feel so unsettled by Jinâs nonchalant demeanor after that intimate moment? And more importantly, why do I have to deal with such a shitty curve ball in our friendship (relationship?) so soon?! As much as I didn't want to admit it, I liked having Jin around. It was easy being with him. I didn't find myself over thinking a
The morning after encountering Jin and Lyda at the park, I woke up with a knot in my stomach. The events of yesterday replayed in my mind like a broken record, each moment dissected and analyzed under the harsh light of reality. I lay in bed once again, staring at the ceiling, this time, no morning sun casting a soft glow in the room, the weather as cloudy as my mood. Thoughts raced through my mind, each one a jab at my self-esteem. He's with Lyda. Of course, he is. Why did I even think... Maybe it was just a mistake. A drunken mistake. I sighed, pushing myself to sit up. The reality of the situation hit me hard. Jin, with his easy charm and Lyda, with her striking beauty and confidence, seemed to belong in a world far removed from mine. A world where I didn't quite fit. Not that I ever have. I swung my legs over the edge of the bed, my feet touching the cold floor. The chill seeped into my bones, mirroring the coldness I felt inside. I wrapped her arms around herself, s
The evening air buzzed with excitement as colorful lights illuminated the sprawling grounds of the holiday carnival. I stood at the entrance, hesitating. I had been..pretty much lost in my thoughts all week, and the idea of joining the festive atmosphere felt overwhelming. Beside me, Hailey nudged me playfully. "Come on, Cora," she insisted, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "You need a break from all that brooding. Letâs have some fun!" I tried to manage a faint smile, but I think it looked like a grimace. Not that I wasn't grateful for Haileyâs attempt to lift my spirits. "I donât know," I murmured, glancing at the carnival's lively scene. "It's just... a lot." Hailey linked arms with me, pulling me gently towards the entrance. "Exactly why you need this," she declared. "A night of distractions and pure fun!" With a sigh, I relented, allowing herself to be drawn into the vibrant chaos of the carnival. Popcorn scents wafted through the air, and laughter mingled with the music.
The winter air was crisp with the promise of Christmas, and inside my household, the atmosphere buzzed with festive energy. Well everywhere but within myself that is. Me and Catty, were in the living room, unpacking boxes of ornaments and stringing lights around the mantelpiece whilst our parents flitted between the kitchen and the living room, their laughter mingling with the jolly tunes playing softly in the background.I carefully untangled a strand of lights, my mind drifting back to the upcoming holiday. It was supposed to be a time of joy and togetherness, yet I felt neither of these emotions. Times like these make me feel Corey's absence even stronger. Because right now I could have as well been invisible to my family.And adding Jin's conversation to the fray well..let's just say things weren't looking so..jolly for me. As I hung a golden bauble on the tree, Cattyâs voice broke through my thoughts. âAre you sure you want to put that there? It looks better on the other side
The house was quiet, almost too quiet, as I sat on the edge of my bed, staring out the window at the blanket of snow covering the yard. I could feel the cold from the glass, but it was nothing compared to the chill inside me. Christmas Dayâalways a mixed bag for meâhad come and gone. âFamily timeâ meant being overshadowed by my siblings, especially by Catty. Iâd tried to ignore the ache in my chest, but Coreyâs arrival had briefly given me hope. Yet I still found myself holed up in my room while faint laughter floated from the living room downstairs, where Catty was undoubtedly entertaining my parents with some exaggerated story. I swallowed the familiar bitterness. At least I had Corey for a little whileâbefore he rushed back to college earlier than planned, just before New Year's Day. Once he left, the house became a void again. I sighed, glancing at the small pile of gifts Iâd received for Christmas. The presents felt more like an obligation than anything thoughtful. I ran a fing
Cattyâs POVThe house was finally quiet. I stood by the window in my room, my phone still in hand, relishing the success of my latest move. It had all gone so perfectly. Coraâs protests, my parents' stony expressionsâit played out like a scene from a script I'd written.A smug smile curled at my lips. It was almost too easy. Cora never saw it coming, never even suspected I had been recording her that night.I dropped onto my bed, scrolling through my phone. Why should I feel bad? Cora had it coming. Ever since sheâd gotten close to those two boys, she'd been acting all high and mighty. Sneaking them into the house like some kind of rebellious teenâas if she was someone important.But she wasnât.Not like me.Deep down, there was always this nagging voice that whispered about how Cora wasnât even trying, yet people still gravitated toward her. I, on the other hand, had spent years perfecting my image, always doing what was expected, always playing the role of the âperfect daughter.â"Y
I woke up feeling⌠warm. Not just warmâcomforted. Held. My brain was sluggish, unwilling to process anything beyond the cozy sensation spreading through my chest. My fingers curled against soft fabric, and I buried my face deeper intoâwait. Fabric?My eyes snapped open, and I instantly regretted it. The sunlight filtering through my window hit me like a hammer, and for a moment, I had no idea where I was.Then it all came flooding back. Theo. The argument. The apology. The tears.And now, Theoâs arm was still draped around me, his chest rising and falling against my back, his breath warm against the top of my head.My heart jumped to my throat. I tilted my head ever so slightly, trying to sneak a glance at him without waking him. But of course, Theo Thorsen was already awake. His blue eyes met mine, amusement dancing in them as if heâd been waiting for this moment.âGood morning,â he said softly, his voice husky with sleep.I tried to push away from him, my face heating up, but his ar
Even after a week, the house still felt bigger than I imagined. Or maybe it just felt that way because it was mineâor at least, it was supposed to be. Each step I took echoed slightly, the sound of my own presence making me feel smaller somehow. The furniture was sleek but not flashy, the kind of understated elegance that whispered money. Theo's influence was everywhere, even in the smallest details.My eyes landed on a low shelf near the window, in what was supposed to be my study, and my heart stopped for a moment. Books. Not just any booksâmy books. The entire series Iâd once mentioned offhandedly during one of our teasing arguments about taste in literature. Theo had remembered.I crouched to touch the spines, running my fingers over the titles. What did it mean, really? That he listened? That he cared? Or that he simply didnât know how to set boundaries when it came to fixing things he thought were brokenâlike me.I sighed, trying to push the thoughts to the back of my mind, when
I stared at the address Theo had sent me, then back up at the sleek, understated house in front of me. The clean lines and large windows practically whispered sophistication. I had no idea what I was walking into, but with Theo, Iâd learned to stop asking questions in advance.The door swung open before I even knocked. Theo stood there, dressed down in a fitted black t-shirt and jeans, his usual confident smirk in place."Right on time," he said, stepping aside to let me in.âWhat is this place?â I asked, walking in and taking in the minimalist interior. The open floor plan, the neutral tones, the way the sunlight poured inâit was beautiful in a way that didnât try too hard.âJust a little project Iâve been working on,â Theo replied nonchalantly, his hands in his pockets as he leaned against the doorframe.âA real estate project?â I guessed, looking over my shoulder at him.He shrugged, the barest hint of a grin tugging at his lips. âSomething like that.âI turned back to the space, t
Chapter 46I sat at my usual spot near the window in the library, a half-eaten sandwich and an untouched apple beside my notebook. The quiet hum of the overhead lights provided a thin blanket of comfort as I attempted to block out the world. It wasnât working. Not when my mind kept circling back to Theoâs voice from the night beforeâraw, uncertain, nothing like the confident front he always wore.Iâd just decided that my thoughts (and the assignment I was working on) were officially unproductive when I saw him heading my way. Theo Thorsen. Of all the places in the school, of all the tables in the libraryâŚâHey,â he said, standing awkwardly by the chair opposite me. He was holding his history textbook like it was a shield. âMind if I sit?âI glanced at him, then at the completely empty table a few feet away. My brows arched on instinct. âYouâre asking?âHis lips quirked, but it didnât quite reach his eyes. âGuess I am. So?âI sighed and waved a hand at the seat. âGo ahead.âTheo settle
The knock was soft, almost hesitant, but still enough to snap me out of my late-night haze. I glanced at the clock: 11:42 PM. Everyone else in the house should have been asleep by now.I pushed my chair back from my desk, crossing the room quietly to the door. Opening it, I found Theo standing there, dressed in a plain black T-shirt and sweatpants, his hair slightly mussed like heâd been running his hands through itâor tossing in bed.âCouldnât sleep?â I asked, folding my arms and leaning against the doorframe.Theo shrugged, though his tense shoulders gave him away. âNot really. Mind if I come in?âI stepped aside, letting him in without a word. He looked... off. His usual confidence was nowhere to be found, replaced by a kind of restless energy. My eyes caught his hands, fingers fidgeting against each other.âOkay, whatâs going on?â I asked, closing the door behind him. âAnd donât say ânothing,â because your fingernails are bleeding.âHe glanced down at his hands, like he hadnât eve
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 Theoâs arm draped lazily across my waist. His breathing was soft, steadyâalmost 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.âMorning, snooper,â came Theoâs voice, low and rough with sleep. I jumped slightly as his eyes fluttered open, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.âWasnât snooping,â I mumbled, cheeks heating. âI was just⌠observing.ââSure you were.â He stretched, the lazy grin still firmly in place. âHowâd you sleep?ââLike a rock,â I admitted.
The drive to school is quiet. Not uncomfortable, exactlyâbut 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. Heâs been tapping his knee in a steady rhythm, stealing glances at me when he thinks I wonât notice.Itâs 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, Iâve been doing a lot of thinking. About everything. About leaving. About what comes next. About Theo. Mostly Theo.Iâm not used to people looking out for me like he does. Itâs new. Unfamiliar. Itâs also not something I can depend on. Iâve 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 canât quite explain.âHere okay?â Coleâs voice pulls me out of my thoughts. Weâre
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 Iâd 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. âCora?â Haileyâs voice was hesitant but warm. The door creaked open, and Hailey stepped in, eyes widening as she took in the sceneâŚwell 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 didnât. Not after what Iâd 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 partâhe knew I was there. He had to have known.I swallowed hard, forcing the lump in my throat back down where it belonged. Crying wasnât 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 didnât speak at first, just stared at me with an expression I couldnât place. Guilt? Regret? It didnât matter.âCoraâââDonât.â My voice was sharper than I intended, but I didnât care. I held up a hand to stop him. âDonât try to explain. I donât want to hear it.âBut of course, he didnât sto