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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."
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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
Thrill of the Chase CHAPTER 63: PLAYFUL CHAOS
Bonnie's impromptu plan pays off just about ten seconds later when Kalix tumbles backward onto the bed. However, instead of just having Bonnie in his arms, he inadvertently pulls Avery down with them. With both girls under each of his arms, all three of them burst into even more laughter, prompting the other kids in the room to hush them so they can hear the movie playing on the flat screen.Using our indoor voices, the five of us arrange ourselves on the bed, spending the next few minutes goofing around and chatting. I personally seize this opportunity to tease Bonnie and Elena about their earlier conversation with Kalix."So... which one of you likened me to a dirty lollipop?" I inquire, raising an eyebrow. I hide my smile when Elena's eyes suddenly widen."It was Bonnie, totally Bonnie," she immediately throws her best friend under the bus, causing Bonnie to look at her with a gasp."I did not!" Bonnie protests, turning to Elena in disbelief, who responds with a sheepish, apologeti
Thrill of the Chase CHAPTER 64: TEQUILA TRUTHS
Does kissing Max's photo on my Home screen count?Nice one."I don't know. It'll be spontaneous as always," I reply with a nonchalant shrug. I immediately notice Avery's, Alex's, and Kalix's lingering gaze, but the others seem oblivious to the suspicious act.As the conversation in our little circle picks up again, I seize the opportunity to slip into the kitchen, craving another drink and, more importantly, some solitude."Desiring and needing are entirely different, though, Slayer," Buffy chimes in as my internal dictionary, right before I hear someone enter the kitchen from behind me."If it's Avery, I just need a minute. If it's Alex, you have nothing to worry about. And if it's some random stranger who's crashed the party, the bathroom is just down the hall and to your right," I say before downing my shot of tequila in one gulp."What if it's the best friend of the pain in the ass you've been missing like crazy lately?" I turn around to find Kalix leaning against the kitchen arch
Thrill of the Chase CHAPTER 65: APOLOGY
Max's words snap me out of my lingering gaze, which may have lasted a bit longer than I intended. "Stare all you want, Isabella, but I assure you that it's me. Your vivid imagination isn't playing tricks on you," Max asserts, pulling me back from my reverie."Max, what are you-""Admitting what I should've confessed twenty-one nights ago," he interjects with a determined look. "I've been a damn fool, Isabella.""Well, I won't argue with that," I concur as I close the door behind me. He shoots me a pointed look that practically says, "Now, of all times, you choose to be a smartass?" "Alright, go on," I gesture for him to continue."Thank you," he sighs, resolve returning to his face. "I've been a damn fool because I didn't appreciate one of the few good things in my life," he echoes Kalix's toast from earlier, his hands slipping into his jacket pockets to shield them from the cold. "You decided to give me, us, a chance even when I wasn't ready to share everything about my past, despite
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