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
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 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
Chapter 1I walk into school and the hallway is even more crowded than usual. My boisterous school mates all seem to be whispering excitedly to the other making it seem like I'm the only one not in on some inside joke. Where are my manners? My name is Cora Kinsley and I'm a high school senior at Crestview Academy. I live with my parents and two siblings; an older brother and a younger one. Yep. I'm the middle child. Aaanyway. I make my way over to my locker to get the books I'll need for homeroom when I feel someone pull my bag from behind me, until my back is flush against them. "Good morning Cora!" A deep but cheerful voice greets me. "Would that if it were, Tony. And let go of my bag please.""No can do!" Tony replied, his voice still cheerful. I sigh. Seriously, how can anyone be so cheerful on a Monday morning? And I tell him so.Although out of sight, I imagine Tony's grinning. "Well, the thought of seeing you fuels me with energy, you know. That and a lot of coffee."I s
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
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