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
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?
The drive to Theo’s place was quiet. Not awkward—just filled with the kind of silence that said everything words couldn’t. Cole didn’t push, and I was grateful for that.By the time we arrived, the house was dimly lit, its towering structure standing against the night sky like something out of a painting. Theo answered the door surprisingly fast, as if he’d been waiting for something. Or someone.His damp hair clung to his forehead, the dark strands curling slightly at the ends. He wore a simple black T-shirt and gray sweatpants, a look so effortlessly casual that it was unfair. His eyes flickered over me, a crease forming between his brows.“What happened?” Theo asked, his voice sharp with concern.I blinked. “Nothing.”He didn’t look convinced.Cole leaned against the doorway, sipping from a bottle of soda like he was watching a rom-com unfold. “She just really wanted to see you,” he drawled, winking at me.I felt my face heat. “That’s not—”“Don’t scare her off, Cole,” Theo muttere
I spent the entire day trying not to think about what happened last night. It was a pointless effort. My mind kept circling back to it—every word, every expression, the way Theo looked at me, the way I walked away from him. The way he let me. It was a mess, and I hated how much I couldn’t stop thinking about it.I stared at my phone screen, ignoring the text from Hailey asking about last night. She was probably expecting a play-by-play, but I didn’t know how to answer. I still didn’t know what to feel.Then, there was a knock at my door, and I knew instantly who it was. Hailey, of course. I opened it, and she waltzed in like she owned the place.“Spill,” she demanded. “So, who are we shipping you with now? Jin or Theo?”I raised an eyebrow. “I’m glad my ‘love life’ is so amusing to you.”She just shrugged, her eyes dancing with mischief. “Hey, at least you’re giving me content. So, what happened last night?”I'm telling you, she has a talent for sniffing out drama like a bloodhound.“
I barely have the chance to breathe before Hailey starts her interrogation.“So…” she started, dragging out the word as we walked out of Jin’s apartment building. “You and Jin, huh?”I sighed. “Don’t start.”“Oh, I’ve already started,” she says, grinning. “That man literally lifted you up and twirled you around like you were in a rom-com. And you let him! Which means something.”“I was just being friendly,” I muttered, staring straight ahead.“Right, and I’m the Queen of England.” Hailey smirked. “You should’ve seen your face when you saw him, Cora. You practically lit up.”I scoffed. “I did not.”“Did too,” she sang. Then, in a more dramatic voice, she clutches her chest. “‘Oh Jin, you’re back! Your hair! Your smile! I feel whole again!’”I shoved her lightly. “Shut up.”She laughed but didn't let up. “So, are you gonna tell me how you feel about him? Or are we pretending this doesn’t exist?”I hesitated. Because the truth is… I don’t know. Seeing Jin again did make me happy. And hea
Chapter 51His lips brush against mine, soft at first. Almost hesitant.Then, like something clicking into place, the hesitation disappears. His fingers tilt my chin, deepening the kiss, pulling me closer—so close I can feel the warmth radiating off him, wrapping around me like a second skin.My heart pounds in sync with his. I can feel it.I can taste it.Theo.I don’t want it to end. I want to stay here forever.A harsh beam of sunlight pierces through my window, dragging me out of the dream like a riptide. My eyes snap open, my breath coming in shallow gasps as I stare up at the ceiling, disoriented.For a few blissful seconds, I’m still there. In the guest room. In his arms.And then reality comes crashing down.The room around me is cold, empty. My bed untouched on one side. My phone sits on the nightstand, screen dark and silent.No messages.No missed calls.Nothing.I exhale, forcing myself to sit up even as a sinking feeling settles in my chest. It’s been days since that nigh
The room seemed to blur around me the moment I saw her.Cora stood at the top of the staircase, the soft glow of the chandelier casting a warm light over her, catching the silk of her dress in a way that made it shimmer. But it wasn’t just the dress. It was the way she held herself, the way she hesitated for only a second before stepping forward.My pulse stuttered.I had spent the last week trying to push her out of my head—out of my thoughts, out of my goddamn system. It was easier when she was just Cora in her usual jeans and oversized hoodies, when she was quiet but sharp-tongued, when she looked at me like I was nothing more than an inconvenience she had to tolerate.But this? This was something else entirely.I wasn’t sure how long I stood there, watching her, my hands clenched at my sides.Cora met my gaze briefly, then looked down at her dress, like she wasn’t sure if it suited her. That small, uncertain movement made something tighten in my chest.She didn’t know.She had no
I woke up feeling… warm. Not just warm—comforted. 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 into—wait. 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, Theo’s 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 he’d been waiting for this moment.“Good morning,” 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 mine—or 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 books—my books. The entire series I’d 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 didn’t know how to set boundaries when it came to fixing things he thought were broken—like 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, I’d 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.“What is this place?” I asked, walking in and taking in the minimalist interior. The open floor plan, the neutral tones, the way the sunlight poured in—it was beautiful in a way that didn’t try too hard.“Just a little project I’ve been working on,” Theo replied nonchalantly, his hands in his pockets as he leaned against the doorframe.“A real estate project?” I guessed, looking over my shoulder at him.He shrugged, the barest hint of a grin tugging at his lips. “Something like that.”I 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 wasn’t working. Not when my mind kept circling back to Theo’s voice from the night before—raw, uncertain, nothing like the confident front he always wore.I’d 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 library…“Hey,” he said, standing awkwardly by the chair opposite me. He was holding his history textbook like it was a shield. “Mind if I sit?”I glanced at him, then at the completely empty table a few feet away. My brows arched on instinct. “You’re asking?”His lips quirked, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Guess I am. So?”I sighed and waved a hand at the seat. “Go ahead.”Theo settle