Novels by Deedee

LEONIE'S POV If there was one thing Hillsborough never ran out of, it was handsome boys with inflated egos. And if there was one thing my friends never ran out of, it was commentary about them.Just like every evening before dinner, we were sprawled across Camilla’s bed, our academic problems abandoned. The evening sun filtered through the window, turning everything golden and warm.I wasn't really involved in the conversation because I was focused on getting my nails done. But I could still hear what my friends were talking about and I responded when it's necessary.“Okay,” Camilla said dramatically. “We need to address the shift.”I didn’t look up from filing my nails. “What shift?”“The shift,” Chloe repeated, laying emphasis on her words. I looked up to see her pointing at me like I was on trial. “Are you dropping Julian?”Putting the nail file aside, I flashed them a smile. “It's not like I'm dropping Julian. I simply just redirected my attention.”Camilla gasped. “Redirected?

Rowan's POV I should have known better.I should have known that avoiding Theo in this school was never going to be simple.I had tried everything I could. Giving short answers, avoiding eye contact, walking different routes, sitting farther away in the dining hall. I even went to Principal Whitcombe, thinking if I removed myself from sports entirely, I could remove myself from him.And yet, again, I walked straight into his trap.The moment he opened his mouth in that office, offering to “mentor” me like some noble older brother, I knew exactly what he was doing. Positioning himself as helpful, responsible and reasonable. I couldn't even argue. Losing composure in front of principal Whitcombe would raise suspicions and Theo had something he could use against me. The memory of the video made my stomach twist. And the way he keeps getting involved made my blood boil. Why can't he just leave me alone and continue to live his life the way it was before he met me?I left the office fir

Theo's POV ‘Avoidance is louder than confrontation.’I can't believe Rowan, who used to meet my stare like it was a challenge, now treats me like I'm invisible. Like I was nothing. At first, I thought he didn't notice but I realized that there was never a time he hadn't noticed me. Then, his gaze was always on me before I even got the chance to look at him. But now, what? I've turned into an invisible guy. Le garçon invisible?When I noticed it, I thought I was overthinking it. So to confirm if my claim was wrong or not, I stepped slightly into his path, just enough to make the acknowledgment inevitable.Yet, what did I get? One word, no eye contact, no irritation or reaction. Just a quiet dismissal and that was worse than whatever he has done before. “Are you avoiding me?” shamelessly, I asked.“No,” he replied dryly, keeping his gaze forward. It was intentional, as if he was trying to get a reaction from me. Maybe this was his own game. Silent treatment might be the Second Pri

Theo's POV I shouldn’t have been smiling, but I was. Watching the video brought back everything I felt that night. I hate to admit it but if I was given the chance to go back to that night, I'd focus more on the kiss than making a video. But it's all good because I get to watch the video over and over again while reminiscing about the feeling of his lips on mine. The kiss wasn’t soft. It wasn’t gentle either. It was a collision of fire.The video played again on my screen and I was smiling at the way Rowan’s hand held my shirt. Another amusing thing was his facial expression when he realized I was making a video. I paused it. Then I replayed it. I thought this video was a leverage. I knew I was lying to myself. I knew this video was not just a leverage or strategy. The truth is I liked the way he looked at me that night. That moment made me forget why I hated him. It almost changed everything between us. But Rowan isn't an easy fish to catch. His existence alone makes everything c

Rowan's POV “You know who your first opponent is?” Theo asked, leaning closer just slightly.I shook my head. “Who?”“Me,” he said.“You?” I almost screamed.“Yes,” he said smoothly, a smirk curling at the corner of his mouth. “You’ve already been warned, first-year. And I wouldn’t let you off easily.”I gripped the sword tighter. “When will you ever play fair?” I asked, keeping my voice steady. I refused to give him the satisfaction of seeing me scared.“Even the universe doesn't play fair,” he replied, clutching his sword. I'm not a professional fencer, nor have I ever taken practice seriously. Looking at the enthusiasm on his face, it was obvious that Theo is an expert in fencing. If I knew this was his plan, I would have left when I had the chance. But now is not the time to think about regrets. If I use the basic steps, I might be able to defend myself well.I looked at Theo who stood across from me, calm and controlled. That smirk was still there, the one that had haunted my

Rowan's POV The day passed by in a blur. Class was mind-numbing, not because the lesson was dull, but because my mind refused to settle. Theo's smirk, the kissing video, everything entirely couldn't make me settle. They remained glued in my mind. I tried to focus, I really did but it was too much for me to handle. I thought I've been through the worst. I thought nothing could bother me but here I was, not even a week and I was already involved in an unhealthy rivalry. Who records a kissing video of themselves? Theo right. He is the only one insane enough to do it. Only if I had listened to Henry and stayed away from Theo, maybe my life won't be tangled with his. And then, I heard Leonie’s voice beside me. “Rowan,” she whispered, leaning slightly across the desk. “I’m sorry for leaving you at the party last night. I came back for you but you were nowhere to be found.”I shrugged, ready to convey a false image. “I left early.” Even if I wanted to tell her the truth, I couldn't. Leo

Arian's pov Mrs Palmer won't stop talking about her love for our friendship. I'm still finding it hard to believe that she was the same director of the college. And I wonder how things will go when I finally resume school after this holiday. Well, I'll worry about that later. Now, it's time to worry about Kael's packing techniques. I sat cross-legged on his bed, watching him as he knelt by the suitcase on the floor, meticulously rolling his clothes with an efficiency that made me both amused and impressed.“You pack like a soldier,” I teased, holding up one of his perfectly folded t-shirts.He glanced up at me, smirking. “And you pack like a disaster waiting to explode.” His gaze flicked to my suitcase, a chaotic mess of shirts, shorts, and toiletries stuffed in no particular order. “Do you really think this is going to fit in the overhead compartment?”I shrugged. “It’s Thaland. I’ll just wear shorts the whole time. Who needs all this anyway?”He shook his head, chuckling softly

Kael's pov Finally, the day my father wanted so badly was here. But unfortunately for him, he was locked behind bars. The morning sun shines so brightly on our graduation caps. I adjusted the collar of mine for what felt like the hundredth time, my palms sweaty despite the cheerful breeze. The crowd stretched out across the college hall, parents, siblings, friends, well-wishers, everyone of us, buzzing with excitement. For once, the spotlight wasn’t something I dreaded. It was something I had earned.My name had been called minutes earlier, the diploma now tucked under my arm like a key to a door I’d been knocking on for years. The clapping and cheering still rang faintly in my ears, not because of its volume, but because of the faces behind it.In the front row of seats, my mother had been on her feet, clapping with tears streaming down her cheeks. I’d never seen her so openly proud of me. Arian had been right behind her on the second row, his grin wide, his hands clapping loudest

Arian's pov Guess who is back to the book club again… me. Walking through the door of the book club meeting room felt like stepping back into a world I left behind. A world I wasn’t sure I would ever go back to. It's been a hell of a month since I took an unofficial break from the book club. Now, I was back to explain why I haven't been around. Aside from the awkward silence, I was relieved to be back again. The book club members are like my family and we've spent years working together as a team. The look on their faces told me their surprise to see me there.“Arian!” my name echoed through the room. I froze as April rushed forward and threw her arms around me. Behind her, Maya came, smiling in a way that made my chest ache. Sammy was already on his feet, even Brent's eyes shone with relief. I missed them, that's undeniable. But the warm welcome made me feel like I've lost more since my absence. I should have been here with them, not drowning in the darkness Karl Palmer created

Kael's pov The night air was soft against my skin, carrying the faint scent of salt and peace. The waves rolled lazily to shore, their rhythm steady and unhurried, as though the ocean itself was reminding us to breathe. I dug my bare toes into the cool sand and glanced at Arian walking beside me.His hands were tucked in his pockets, his hair pushed back messily by the sea breeze. He looked tired but lighter, as though the storm we’d both endured had finally broken and left him standing in the clear.“It feels strangely peaceful,” Arian said suddenly, his voice low. “To just… walk without being scared of anything. No one is plotting behind our backs. No one is trying to force us into anything. It's just us.”I smiled faintly, shoving my hands into my jacket pockets. “We finally got the peace we deserve. Against all odds, we got to write their ending.”He looked at me then, his eyes shining in the moonlight. “Did you ever think we’d make it here?”I hesitated before answering. “Honest

Kael's pov After the debate between the prosecutor and Karl's lawyer, the judge struck her gavel once, the sound sharp and final.“On the charges of corruption, bribery, and facilitation of prostitution, this court finds Karl Palmer guilty. He is hereby sentenced to fourteen years in federal prison.”The courtroom erupted in murmurs. My chest tightened, but I forced myself to keep my expression calm. My father, the untouchable, the almighty Karl Palmer was no longer above the law.Fourteen years was enough to keep him away from us. Fourteen years was enough to make him reflect on himself. Fourteen years was enough to make him repent and change from his old and cruel ways. The judge’s voice continued. “On the charges of evidence tampering and unlawful interference with the life-support of Mrs. Smith, this court finds George Wellington guilty. He is hereby sentenced to twenty years in prison.”Arian, seated beside me, let out a breath that sounded half like a grasp and half like a rel

Arian's pov The room was quieter than I expected. Just a table, two chairs occupied by me and the commissioner, and his pen tapping lightly against his notepad. I sat down, trying to steady myself for the questioning. After everything that had happened, after Karl’s downfall and George’s arrest, I wanted this moment to count.The commissioner leaned forward, his eyes kind but probing. “Arian, thank you for coming in today. We've been trying to reach you first but you've been busy.”I nodded, forcing a smile. “I'm aware that you’ve been through a lot, and I don’t intend to make this harder than it needs to be. But we need your statement. You can start wherever you feel comfortable.”I nodded, my fingers lacing together tightly. “I’ll start with something important, something I don’t want people to misunderstand.”“What is it?” he asked.“Whatever Karl Palmer has done, whatever crime he has committed, let's not forget that his businesses… His company feeds a lot of people. Hundreds o