Novel-novel oleh Abigail Ayedenu

The next morning felt normal.At least, it should have.The sky was bright.Students crowded the walkways.Teachers hurried between buildings.Everything looked exactly the same.I sat on a bench outside the cafeteria, my scholarship notes spread across my lap.The exam was getting closer.I should have been studying.Instead, I was rereading the same paragraph for the fourth time.My focus was terrible.A few students passed by.Some waved.Others whispered.Parkview High hadn't fully recovered from the drama at the celebration party.I sighed and rubbed my forehead."Trying to become a genius?"The familiar voice made me look up.Paige.She stood there in her perfectly pressed uniform, blonde hair falling neatly over her shoulders.The smile on her face looked friendly.Too friendly.The kind of friendly that made me suspicious.Immediately."Not really," I said.Paige nodded.Then sat down anyway.Even though I hadn't invited her.I stared at her.She smiled wider.I already hated

My heart betrayed me immediately.Liam released my hand.Slowly.Like he understood exactly what was happening.Of course, he is supposed to know."I'll get going," he said.I resisted the urge to roll my eyes."Yeah."His gaze shifted toward Aaron."Briggs."Aaron nodded once."Liam."Polite.Cold.Like he wanted him to get out immediately.Liam glanced between us.Then smiled slightly."I'll see you some other time." He said."Yeah," I replied.Then he walked away.Simple.Easy.I exhaled deeply.But the second he disappeared through the doors, I looked back at Aaron.His eyes were still following him.Not aggressively.Just watching.The way he looks at someone when he is angry and somehow irritated.Finally his gaze returned to me.And just like that...The tension eased.A little."Hi," I said.His eyes softened."Hi."God.Why did one word from him do that to me?The entire bookstore seemed to notice him now.Girls sitting by the windows.Girls near the novels section.Even two

*The next morning*I barely slept.Every time I closed my eyes, I saw the same thing.Daniel Hale sitting across from me."She told me the child was mine."The sentence had been haunting me since last night.I sat up slowly and rubbed my face.Morning sunlight spilled through the massive windows of my room, lighting up the dark furniture and polished floors.Something about the mansion felt peaceful which was weird.Running a hand through my golden-brown curls, I stood and headed toward the hallway.I already knew what I needed.DNA.Simple.Clean.Definitive.No stories.No theories.No guesses.Just proof.My steps slowed outside Ethan's room.The door wasn't fully shut.I pushed it open.Empty.The neatly arranged room stared back at me.No Ethan.No backpack.No annoying music blasting from his speakers.Nothing.I frowned."Seriously?"My eyes scanned the room.Desk.Closet.Bedside table.I wasn't trying to snoop.I just needed something, if not why would I be in his room.I sc

Aaron's POVI was still staring at my phone.I was finally about to meet the man connected to it all.I looked at Allison.Her golden-brown curls rested neatly over her shoulders. Afternoon sunlight spilled through the hallway windows."That is good, right?" she asked.I let out a breath."I don't know."She frowned."What do you mean?"I ran a hand through my curls."What if everything I've been thinking is true?"The words came out quieter than I expected.Her expression softened."Aaron."I met her eyes."Whatever happens tonight," she said, squeezing my hand, "you'll be fine. It's all for the best." She added.My chest tightened.God.How did she always know exactly what to say?I looked at her for a moment.At the determination in her face.At the kindness that never seemed to disappear no matter what happened.Then I shook my head."You're making it very difficult to panic properly."She laughed.A genuine laugh.The sound instantly made me feel lighter."Good." She said.I smi

I shook my head."No idea. I don't know who it is."I finally answered."Hello?"The voice on the other end was calm and professional.My heartbeat immediately sped up.As the woman spoke, I sat up straighter.Then straighter.Then completely froze.Aaron noticed instantly.His brows pulled together."What?"I held up a finger.The woman continued speaking.Exam.Selection.Qualification.Scholarship.My pulse began racing.By the time the call ended, my hand was trembling slightly around the phone.For a moment I just stared at the screen.Unable to process anything.Aaron was already standing."Allison."I looked up."Aaron."His eyes widened."What happened?"I swallowed.Then smiled.A real smile.The kind I hadn't felt in days."I qualified."Silence.Aaron blinked."For the scholarship exam?"I nodded."For the scholarship exam."For a second he simply stared at me.Then he laughed.A genuine laugh.Before I could react, he pulled me to my feet."Aaron..."I barely finished spea

For a second, neither of us moved.Before I could even speak, Aaron crossed the distance between us.Then wrapped his arms around me.I froze.Not because I didn't want it.Because I did.Because I could physically feel how much he needed it.His arms tightened slightly around my waist.My cheek brushed against his chest.The familiar scent of his cologne immediately surrounded me.Fresh.Warm.Comforting.Aaron rested his chin lightly on top of my head."Wasn't expecting you but I'm glad you came."His voice sounded rough.Tired.I smiled softly."Yeah."For a moment, we stayed that way.The room felt quiet.Safe.Then I finally pulled back enough to look up at him.His brown eyes met mine."Rough day?" I asked.A tired laugh escaped him."Rough life."I couldn't help smiling."That bad?""You have no idea."He stepped aside."Come in."I walked further into the room while Aaron closed the door behind us.The room looked exactly like him.Dark furniture.Large windows.Basketball tro