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 Jin’s 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 kiss—a 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 Jin’s 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. Let’s 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 Hailey’s attempt to lift my spirits. "I don’t 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, Catty’s voice broke through my thoughts. “Are 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 Day—always a mixed bag for me—had come and gone. “Family time” meant being overshadowed by my siblings, especially by Catty. I’d tried to ignore the ache in my chest, but Corey’s 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 while—before 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 I’d received for Christmas. The presents felt more like an obligation than anything thoughtful. I ran a fing
Catty’s 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. Cora’s protests, my parents' stony expressions—it 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 she’d gotten close to those two boys, she'd been acting all high and mighty. Sneaking them into the house like some kind of rebellious teen—as if she was someone important.But she wasn’t.Not like me.Deep down, there was always this nagging voice that whispered about how Cora wasn’t 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 “perfect daughter.”"Y
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
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