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CHAPTER 39: UNLEASHED FRUSTRATION
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Thrill of the Chase CHAPTER 40: FEISTY
"Did you make sure to handle all your last-minute assignments?" Avery inquires as we approach the final ATO party of the semester.Today is Tuesday, November 22nd, also known as the eve of the notorious five-day Thanksgiving break. Following tradition, ATO is throwing their last extravagant party of the semester since when classes resume, all students—including myself—will be engrossed in studying, either to maintain their current grades or perform academic miracles to reach their desired grade thresholds. Since we'll sorely miss the ATO parties, Avery and I easily agreed there's no way we could skip this one."Yes, ma'am, even that torturous analysis of Wright's Sonnet 106," I reply, recalling the painstaking task."Tell me about it," Avery sighs. "Between that and submitting the final draft of my Winter Showcase composition for approval before the big event, this half-week has been brutal.""Yeah, in more ways than one," I add, fully agreeing."Hey," Avery says, nudging my arm as we
Thrill of the Chase CHAPTER 41: CONFESSIONS IN THE BATHROOM
I've been incredibly patient, waiting for him to address this draining situation, hoping he'd do or say something, but it's been nearly a month of tension between us. I'm at the point where I'm ready to move on, with or without him."First of all, you locked us in here, not me. And secondly, 'not do' what exactly? We're not even doing anything in the first place, and that's the problem. You were busy with your business downstairs, and I was doing my thing upstairs until you came up here and messed everything up. Right now, the only thing we should be doing is having an honest conversation to sort out whatever's happening between us. But it seems like that's the last thing you want.""You don't know what I want," he whispers at first, his words barely audible. Then, he raises his voice, saying, "You really don't know what I want. If you had any idea, you wouldn't be saying all this bullshit right now."In that moment, I see an opening to do something I've been wanting to do ever since
Thrill of the Chase CHAPTER 42: UNWANTED LETTER
He has an affection for me, and upon reflection, that's the clarity I sought—to confirm I wasn't imagining things. I never expected Max to desire a committed relationship with me, especially when I struggled with commitment myself. That understanding predated my decision to confide in him."I've wanted to share my true feelings with you for a few days now, and I finally have. I won't deceive you; I harbor no expectations. I never did. I grasp that you have principles, just as I do, so I genuinely wish the best for you, Max. I can't be more sincere," I conclude. Max stands a few steps away, and I close the distance, placing a soft, lingering kiss on his cheek, savoring the sound of his breath catching as my lips meet his skin."Goodnight, Max," I murmur before turning to unlock the door and exiting the bathroom, hearing Max's exasperated cry of "God damn it" and the door slamming shut behind me.I don't have much time to dwell on it because as soon as I reenter the bedroom, I find Loga
Thrill of the Chase CHAPTER 43: REVEALING THE PAST
"You doing okay there, Slayer?"…"After your chat with Mom and Alex? Definitely.""I'm proud of you.""Thanks, Buffy. I'm proud of myself too."I picture Buffy flashing one of her signature smiles, and then my thoughts slip into silence. That silence is a welcome respite now more than ever.There's a limit to how many tears one can shed before the accompanying headache becomes unbearable. I reached my limit exactly two hours and thirty-eight minutes ago—a new personal record."New" because I've never cried consecutively for that long about him, and "last" because I won't ever allow myself to cry for that long again. I won't say I'll never cry over him again, period, because I'm only human. An occasional tear may escape down the road, something I can't physically control.But what I absolutely won't permit him to do from this day forward is haunt my mind and heart. Eighteen years have been enough. It'll be challenging, and I'll fall more times than I can count, but I refuse to let him
Thrill of the Chase CHAPTER 44: SURVIVOR'S TALE
"After that incident, she became a frequent visitor at the local hospital, offering excuses like 'I fell down the stairs' or 'I didn't see where I was going,'" I mutter again, still struggling to accept the harsh reality, even though I've recounted this story before. "That's the grim reality when you reside in places like Riverdale, Philippines. People are either too terrified or too corrupt to demand the truth, even when a pregnant woman is involved, so they choose to accept whatever story she provides. He eventually dragged my brother into the physical abuse as well, although thankfully not to the extent of sending him to the hospital. But that doesn't mean it hurt my brother any less."I take yet another extended pause, my longest one yet, because once I resume, I don't intend to stop until I've shared the entire tale. Failing to do so...well, I can't even begin to fathom the consequences."When my mom reached her sixth month of pregnancy, he came home in the most intoxicated and d
Thrill of the Chase CHAPTER 45: SEASIDE
"That's the absolute truth," Buffy chimes in, concurring with my sentiments."I'm genuinely sorry that I didn't realize it sooner, especially back in the janitor's closet when you tried to tell me how you felt," he says, releasing my hand momentarily to gently lift my chin with his thumb."It's water under the bridge now," I reply with a casual shrug, diverting my gaze back to the mesmerizing scenery before us. What's done is done, and there's no use dwelling on it further."But it's not," Max insists, once again grasping my chin to redirect my attention to him. "There are so many things I wanted to say tonight, but I chickened out at the last moment. Like the fact that after the last two times we were together, I couldn't get turned on by anyone else, no matter how hard I tried. And that the only reason I was with Piper tonight was to fend off Ryan about you. Not to mention that I only kissed her because he was right there, and he was about to catch me staring at you during that brie
Thrill of the Chase CHAPTER 46: HEROINE
When Max explains his perspective, I can't help but see the reasoning behind his actions. I know people who regularly use even the most dangerous street drugs but wouldn't struggle for a moment to quit if asked.As a teenager, I quickly learned that the mind and body operate in complex ways. That's just the nature of science—overly intricate and always evolving."I occasionally get high just for the thrill of it, but never to the point of addiction to any substances. I could never do that to Riley, nor to myself. Both of us deserve better than that. That being said," Max says, resting his thumb on my chin for a moment, "I was more than relieved when you explained that you only tried heroin once.""So, then you didn't step out of Drew's Halloween party just because 'Heroine' by Sleeping with Sirens came on?" I ask, and he takes a moment to recall that night."Honestly," he replies, "if I stepped out, it was probably because I got a phone call or something, definitely not because of the
Thrill of the Chase CHAPTER 47: POWER COUPLE
"Look at them, UP's newest power couple!" Avery exclaims as we meet her and Kalix outside Manzanita Village. Despite her radiant smile, the dark circles under her eyes betray a sleepless night."I see the hand-holding has already begun," Kalix chimes in, motioning towards our intertwined fingers as Max and I approach them.Avery and I share an enthusiastic hug as soon as we're within hugging range."I love you, and I'm so proud of you that it hurts," she whispers into my hair, holding me tight. I reciprocate the embrace with equal fervor."I love you too, and thank you for everything," I murmur back before we finally release each other.Kalix, on the other hand, extends his arms toward Max with a raised eyebrow."I guess it's my turn to give you a hug," he says, fully embracing Max despite Max's initial resistance. Eventually, Max gives in with a heartfelt laugh, reciprocating Kalix's brotherly affection."I'm proud of you, man," Kalix tells Max genuinely, finally allowing him to brea
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