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CHAPTER 54: HOT IN HERRE
Max releases our intertwined fingers for the first time since we re-entered the club and guides my hands to encircle his neck. With a hand on my waist, he pulls me close to his chest. A brief kiss lands on my lips before he positions himself between my legs, and we start moving in sync, grinding against each other. Laughter escapes me when Max playfully mouths the lyrics of Nelly's "Hot in Herre" to me, moving sensually to the rhythm of the 2002 hit. He eventually stops, synchronized with the song's end, adjusting our rhythm to the next track.
A few songs later, I notice Max occasionally getting distracted, trying to discreetly focus on something behind me. The last time he exudes this mischievous vibe, he hits me with his signature smirk-and-wink combo, signaling he's about to do something.
However, before I can inquire further, his
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Thrill of the Chase CHAPTER 55: STUDIES
"Why bother having an open-book final when it's almost impossible to write three decent five-page essays in just an hour and twenty minutes?" Avery sighs, frustrated. She asks to see the lecture notes I took on 'Shakespeare's Sonnets and Sexuality,' the same ones she missed during a mandatory rehearsal. I hand over the notes to her, annoyed that Professor Wright scheduled the final exam on the last day before winter break."You've got a point there," I reply. "I bet he's doing it so that if we all fail, he can still justify it by saying he allowed us to use our notes." Avery nods as she flips through the notes to jot down the essential details in her own notebook.Avery and I, like all the other students at UP, have back-to-back final exams throughout the week, and it's only Tuesday. I had my Media Criticism final yesterday and submi
Thrill of the Chase CHAPTER 56: GPA
After our meal at the Courtyard Café, Avery went to her rehearsal, and Kalix and I returned to the Learning Commons to continue studying. Avery has been working hard on the winter showcase, which is only three nights away, right before our month-long winter break. I'm really excited for her."I'll be here studying either way," I tell Kalix, my eyes fixed on my Shakespeare notes. "So, whether he shows up or responds to my text after four hours, I'll be here for a while."Kalix leans against the nearby table and says something to me, but I'm so immersed in studying Shakespeare's history and sonnets that I don't hear him clearly this time.Kalix raises his voice, calling my name, "Isabella.""Hm?" I mumble, stil
Thrill of the Chase CHAPTER 57: MUSIC
"You've got this, Avery. I mean, it's a music composition course, and you've been preparing for the showcase all semester," I encourage my best friend over the phone as I enter the building for my Philosophy final."Oh, it's not the music part I'm worried about. It's Wright's final. Music, I can handle. But Shakespeare? I'd rather dig my own grave," she replies, and I chuckle as I join the line of students outside the lecture hall I've been attending for the past three months."We still have a whole night before his exam, Avery. We won't let it get to us, right? We've been studying all week, on top of our other classes. So, after your final, meet me in our reserved study room at the Learning Commons. Tonight, we'll tackle interpreting Shakespeare's sonnets in our own words."
Thrill of the Chase CHAPTER 58: CAPTAIN OBVIOUS
My hand instinctively reaches for the messy bun that has miraculously stayed on my head since this morning. I silently congratulate myself when I find a bobby pin and carefully insert it into the lock. Five seconds later, I hear the satisfying click of the lock turning, and I open the door to find Max sitting on the edge of his bed, his head in his hands. I step inside, close the door, and lock it again to prevent any interruptions during our conversation.Only then does Max look up to see me."Isabella, what are you doing here?" he asks, his gaze shifting between the bobby pin in my hand, the door, and then back to me. "And did you just pick the lock on my door?""Well, hello to you too, Captain Obvious," I reply, placing the bobby pin back in my hair. "And before you unleash your brilliant retorts, you didn't leave me much of a choice, did you?""Isabella," he sighs, bringing his fingers to his temple, indicating that my words are beginning to irritate him, much like his recent beha
Thrill of the Chase CHAPTER 59: STORMY NIGHT
"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. I am Professor Tiboni, the Vice Chair of the Music department here at the University of the Philippines, and I extend a warm welcome to the university's forty-first annual winter showcase." Applause fills the room as the audience acknowledges the turnout. "Before we dive into the main events, I'd like to take a moment to express our gratitude to all the crucial contributors who have made this wonderful program possible throughout the years, starting with..." I zone out during Professor Tiboni's lengthy introduction, recalling the shorter version that Avery had informed me about not long ago.According to Avery, this year's winter program features twenty talented performers, all carefully selected by the top professors in the music department. Each student is required to present an original piece in front of the live audience, which includes the attendees currently seated or standing in front of Campbell Hall's winter-themed stage—Kalix and me inclu
Thrill of the Chase CHAPTER 60: BETWEEN US
The first week of winter break at home passed without a single word from Max, and it was challenging. It wasn't like Tessa and Hardin's tumultuous separation in the books, where they either gradually healed or completely fell apart. I didn't feel disappointed, which some say can be worse than anger. Instead, I found myself hoping that Max would have a revelation about what went wrong between us and that he would reach out to me first.However, as most of the second week rolled by, I realized that my hope was in vain. Nothing changed in those six days, except that Kalix, who had been initially nervous around my family, had grown more comfortable. The emptiness of not hearing from Max for twenty consecutive days didn't stop me from genuinely enjoying my time with my family, especially during Christmas. Their presence eased the pain, even though I knew it wouldn't completely go away without some form of closure.I tried not to dwell on it, but a conversation with my brother on the night
Thrill of the Chase CHAPTER 61: PARTY STORE DASH
Looking at her, I realized something even more profound: even if Max and I don't make it through, I've gained valuable lessons from this experience. If our story ends prematurely, I'll still be okay, and everything will be fine."Of course not, Mom. Come here," Alex said, shifting his arm to make room for Mom to snuggle in beside him.Once she settled in, she reached for my free hand, interlocking her fingers with mine as she kissed the back of my hand. Alex planted a kiss on her head and then on mine."You two will always be the most important women in my life," he whispered contentedly. "Please, never forget that."The three of us eventually drifted into sleep, reliving cherished memories with smiles on our faces."Why do we always leave decorating to the last minute?" Henry groaned as the ten of us headed towards the two cars we were taking to Party City. Alex, Isaac, Caleb, Samuel, and Henry would ride in Alex's car, while Noah would drive Avery, Kalix, William, and me in his car.
Thrill of the Chase CHAPTER 62: COUNTDOWN
"Alex, it's your turn to take out the trash!" I call out, struggling to be heard over the blaring "Can't Feel My Face" resonating from the speakers in the expansive Fayers' living room. My brother strolls into the kitchen moments later, snatching the pre-tied trash bags located next to the now-empty trash can."You missed something," he informs me, and I scan the kitchen to double-check if I overlooked anything. Even though my group and I aren't responsible for post-party cleanup, we're not exempt from helping out during the event."No, I didn't," I assert confidently after ensuring I've taken care of everything."Yes, you did.""Okay, Sherlock. What did I forget?""Yourself," he smirks, and I roll my eyes before ushering him out through the back door.As Alex heads toward the trash bins in the alley, I join the bustling living room just as Caleb pairs her phone with the speakers via Bluetooth. Besides our close-knit crew and their families, the Fayers have invited residents from both
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