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
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
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 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
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 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 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