All Chapters of The Mate I Can't Have: Chapter 91 - Chapter 100

Henry's POVThe morning sun spilled into the cafeteria of FCY International College, casting elongated shadows over the crowded tables. Students chatted animatedly, laughter bubbles rising amidst the clatter of trays and chatter. But beneath the surface of this supposed normalcy lurked an undercurrent of tension, anticipation thickening the air around us. Today was different. Today, Niylah would finally proclaim the truth that had been buried beneath layers of misunderstanding.I watched as she stood at the edge of the stage, both commanding and tentative, her presence transforming the chaotic room into something sacred. Her hands fidgeted with the hem of her shirt—an unconscious gesture reflecting the weight of what she was about to reveal. Liam stood beside her, a silent pillar of support, though his nervous energy radiated through the air like a charged storm.As Niylah glanced around the room, her gaze flickered over our classmates—some bewildered, others intrigued. I could see Li

Henry's POVThe rest of the day passed in a blur of whispers, uncertainty swirling amidst the halls. The students’ reactions to Niylah’s declaration ranged from jubilant acceptance to unshakeable skepticism. The polarity of emotions reminded me of the duality we all faced when navigating the fragile line between acceptance and rejection.Late that afternoon, I met up with Liam in a secluded corner of the school grounds, a place that felt untouched by the commotion of the day. He leaned against a tree, seemingly lost in thought, darkness overshadowing the triumph of Niylah’s announcement. “Hey,” I greeted, sensing the gravity of his thoughts.“Hey,” he murmured, eyes far away. “I thought we’d move forward. I thought people would accept us.” “They will,” I reassured him, though uncertainty tinged my voice. “It may take time, but Niylah is right—your identity is worth fighting for. Those who truly matter will stand by you.”“Will they?” The question lingered in the air, laced with doub

Henry's POVMy heart raced as I listened to Liam. Part of me was terrified that this meeting would dissolve into chaos again, but another part yearned for the familiar comfort that our friendships had once provided. “I need to say I’m sorry,” I finally spoke up, the weight of the words crashing over me. “I let my insecurity manifest as anger. The moment I felt like you both were judging me, I shut down instead of talking. I’ve missed both of you so much. I’ve missed us.”Niylah looked at me, her expression softening. It was like sunlight breaking through dark clouds. “I wanted to scream at both of you, but I also wanted to be heard. I was scared and hurt, and I lashed out to protect myself. I didn’t know how to voice my feelings properly.”Liam nodded, his eyes glimmering with understanding. “We can’t let our fears control us. I think if we all take responsibility for our parts, it lets us start anew. I’d like to share my perspective, if you both don’t mind?”I relaxed slightly, eage

Days blurred into weeks, and as the tension of their initial encounter waned, Niylah began to observe small changes in Alpine and Jack. They approached her with newfound respect, often greeting her quietly in the hallways instead of ignoring her altogether. The tension in her chest began to ease, but she remained wary. One lunchtime, Niylah sat alone at a table, engrossed in a book when Alpine and Jack approached again. This time, they carried trays laden with food. “Mind if we join you?” Jack asked, glancing at the empty chairs around her.Surprised, Niylah hesitated. But she nodded slowly, curiosity piquing. “Sure.” As they settled in, Alpine broke the silence. “So, we were thinking of starting a study group. We want to improve our grades, and we thought it might help if you joined us. You’re really good at this stuff.”Niylah raised an eyebrow, her skepticism returning. “Why would you want my help? You didn’t seem too interested before.”Jack sighed, glancing at Alpine for reinfo

Henry's POVAs Alex spoke, I felt a mix of emotions swirling within me. It had been a long time since I had heard him share his thoughts so openly. The boy who was once my closest confidant now felt like a stranger—one I was both eager and terrified to reconnect with. “I know our last argument got out of control, but I always thought family meant we shared our struggles, not let them tear us apart,” Alex continued, shifting in his seat, his eyes searching for a response.I nodded slowly. “You’re right. I let my anger dictate my actions instead of reaching out to you. I just... didn’t know how to articulate what I was feeling.”“We both played a part in this,” Alex said softly. “I had my own things going on, and instead of talking to you about it, I just retreated.” He ran his fingers through his hair, a gesture I remembered well from our childhood. It felt disarming to see this flicker of the cousin I used to know.“I was hurt, and rather than tell you, I just reacted. I assumed you