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?
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
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 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 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
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
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
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
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 he’d been running his hands through it—or tossing in bed.“Couldn’t sleep?” I asked, folding my arms and leaning against the doorframe.Theo shrugged, though his tense shoulders gave him away. “Not really. Mind if I come in?”I 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.“Okay, what’s going on?” I asked, closing the door behind him. “And don’t say ‘nothing,’ because your fingernails are bleeding.”He glanced down at his hands, like he hadn’t 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 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.