Chapter: Forty eight: Flaring TempersNathan's POVThe cafeteria feels like a pressure cooker, and I'm seconds away from exploding. My jaw tightens as I watch Luca lean closer to Abigail, his cocky grin plastered across his face like he's already won. Her soft laugh rings out, and it hits me harder than it should.I don't wait for him to look my way or for her to notice my glare.The chair scrapes loudly against the floor as I stand, shoving it back with more force than necessary. The sound barely registers over the cafeteria noise as I storm out, my fists clenched so tight my knuckles ache.The hallway is quieter, but it doesn't help. My thoughts race as I move quickly toward the exit, ignoring the startled looks of a few lingering students. The doors slam shut behind me as I step outside, the cool air hitting me like a slap to the face.I need space.My feet carry me toward the one place I know no one will bother me-the rooftop. It's where I go when the world feels too loud or too messy, a place where I can think.
Last Updated: 2025-12-08
Chapter: Forty seven: Lines In The SandLuca's POVThe school day begins the same as always, with the sound of lockers slamming and the muffled conversations of half-asleep students filling the halls. I lean against my locker, my eyes scanning the crowd. That's when I see her.Abigail walks in, her movements slower than usual. She looks distracted. Her gaze is unfocused, her lips pressed into a tight line.Even when someone accidentally bumps into her, she barely reacts, just keeps moving like she's on autopilot.Something's wrong.I grab my books and fall into step a few paces behind her, watching as she makes her way to her locker. She fumbles with the lock, her fingers trembling slightly. I want to ask her what's going on, but I hesitate. She's not the type to open up easily, and the last thing I want is to push her away.Still, I can't just do nothing."Hey, Abigail," I call out as casually as I can, approaching her locker.She glances over her shoulder, startled, and for a moment, there's a flicker of relief in her
Last Updated: 2025-12-04
Chapter: Forty six: Terrified For Yourself Abigail's POVNathan glares at me, his expression cold and unyielding as I stand in the doorway. The tension between us is suffocating, and I have to fight the urge to step back. The night air brushes against my skin, but it does little to cool the heat rising in my chest.For a moment, I consider leaving. Maybe this isn't worth it.Maybe confronting him will only make things worse. But the memory of his argument with Ricky echoes in my mind-his anger, the bitterness in his voice, and the way he stormed out, leaving everyone else to deal with the aftermath.I take a deep breath, steadying myself."You know, you're not the only one dealing with things, Nathan."His glare sharpens, his lips curling into a bitter smirk."Oh, here we go," he says, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "What, are you going to play therapist now? Diagnose me with anger issues?Tell me I need to journal my feelings or something?"I fold my arms over my chest, refusing to be intimidated. "Maybe you do. Because
Last Updated: 2025-12-03
Chapter: Forty five: The Breaking Point Nathan's POVThe living room feels smaller than usual, suffocating with the tension hanging between us.The air is heavy, the silence before Ricky speaks pressing down on me."You need to stop this, Nathan," Ricky says, his voice even and calm, though there's a sharp edge underneath.I pace back and forth, my sneakers scuffing against the floor, the movement the only way to release the frustration clawing at my chest."Stop what? Being the only one around here who sees what's really going on? You've invited strangers into our house and expect me to just play along like this is normal?"Ricky sighs, standing from the couch and folding his arms."They're not strangers. Abigail and her mom are part of my life now, and whether you like it or not, you need to learn to deal with that."His words only stoke the fire inside me. "Deal with it? You think I'm the problem here? Maybe if you didn't shove this perfect little fantasy family down my throat, I wouldn't have to 'deal with it.""This is
Last Updated: 2025-11-30
Chapter: Forty four: Cracks Beneath The Surface AbigailI slam the door to my room, the sound reverberating through the stillness.The frustration bubbling inside me feels almost too big for my small space.My chest heaves as I pace back and forth, my sneakers scuffing against the worn carpet.Nathan's words play on a maddening loop in my head."But I do."The way he said it wasn't just arrogant-it was certain, like he really believed it.Like he thought he knew me better than anyone else, including myself.Who does he think he is?I grab the pillow from my bed and clutch it tightly to my chest, resisting the urge to throw it.My nails dig into the fabric as anger pulses through me.It's easier to stay angry, to focus on how much Nathan infuriates me, than to admit the other feelings swirling just beneath the surface.I toss the pillow back onto the bed and slump into my desk chair, glaring at the open textbook in front of me.The math problems stare back, taunting me with their calm, logical order.I pick up my pencil, determined
Last Updated: 2025-11-30
Chapter: Forty three: The Invitation Abigail's POVThe library's quiet hum is a comforting contrast to the chaos of the day.I sit at my usual spot, tucked away in the back corner, my books and notebooks spread out in front of me. Despite the calm, my thoughts are anything but peaceful.I try to focus on my math homework, but the numbers blur together on the page.No matter how hard I try, my mind keeps circling back to the same thing-Nathan.His presence feels inescapable, like a shadow I can't outrun.Even now, the thought of him stirs an uneasy mix of anger and something else I can't quite name.I press the eraser of my pencil against my temple and close my eyes, willing myself to concentrate.But before I can refocus, the sound of a chair scraping against the floor startles me.I glance up to see Luca settling into the seat across from me.His smile is as warm as ever, but there's a hint of nervousness in his eyes."Hey," he says, his voice casual, but the way he fidgets with the edge of the table betrays his unease
Last Updated: 2025-11-29
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