Novels by Nessa blake

*Ariana*I stood there like an idiot long after Tristan disappeared around the corner.My heart was doing that thing I hated—the fast, fluttery thing that made me feel like I'd just run a marathon. But I wasn't running. I was standing still. Frozen.Tonight. The Dungeon.What the hell was that supposed to mean? And why did he want me to bring Brit?I shook my head, forcing myself to move. I couldn't stand there all day looking like a lost puppy. I had a reputation to maintain.---Lunch couldn't come fast enough.I found my usual table already occupied by the usual suspects—Kyle, Ashton, and Bel. They were all staring at me like I'd grown a second head."So," Bel said, dragging the word out like she was about to interrogate me. "Care to explain why the entire school is talking about you storming into the gym with your siblings and beating up Davis?"I slid into my seat, grabbing a fry from Kyle's tray. "I didn't beat him up. Brit did most of the work.""Details," Ashton said, leaning

ArianaThe whispers followed me like a shadow.Every step I took through the hallway, heads turned. Eyes widened. Voices dropped to hushed murmurs. The gym incident had spread like wildfire, and now everyone knew exactly what happened to Davis and his little side piece.Good. Let them talk. I'm still yet to talk to my friends about what really went down I was still riding the high from that moment—the look on Davis's face when Brit punched him, the way Sandra shrunk back when Matt got in her face, the satisfying sound of their footsteps as they fled like cowards. I hadn't felt this powerful in days.But then I turned the corner and saw him.Tristan Hales. Leaning against my locker like he owned it. Like he owned me.My stride didn't falter. I wasn't about to let him see me hesitate."Well, well," I said, stopping a few feet away. "If it isn't my favorite stalker. Should I get a restraining order, or are you just naturally this obsessed?"Tristan didn't laugh. He didn't even smirk.Th

ArianaBrit is crazy, I tell y'all. The Cabin? Now she's tryna murder someone. Oh my God."Brit, that wasn't cool at all. You can't just go around threatening people.""Mmm, sure I can. I just did.""I'm telling you, watch it.""Or else what? Pussy.""I pretty sure you don't wanna test me.""Oh yes I am.""Okay, you guys should just stop. Brit is all scary and shit, but angry Matt is much more scary. I guess it's true what they say—the most playful ones are the scariest when they're angry. Or whatever."Matt shot me a look that was half amused, half threatening. I decided to keep my mouth shut after that.Anyways, back to what we're here for."Yeah, where does the douche hang out?" Matt asked, cracking his knuckles like he was about to go to war."The gym," I said, giving them a duh look. They still seemed confused though."Captain of the baseball team?" Brit asked, raising an eyebrow."Baseball? Do you even like baseball?" Matt scoffed."The things we do for love. Well, at least it's

*Tristan*"Bro, all my body aches from all those training sessions. The coach isn't really giving us space. We barely have enough time to go to the dungeon. I'm starting to wonder if that sport was even worth it," Derek asked lazily as usual."You're just making up excuses for being a pussy," I interpreted."Exactly, but he's also right. We've barely had enough time to visit the dungeon all in the name of after-school sport training," Eric reasoned."See? At least Eric supports me on this," Derek smiled smugly like he just won a lottery."I really don't," Eric said as a matter of fact.Ha. Eric never lets him rejoice, and as expected, Derek nearly exploded."I always knew you hated me," Derek said, almost on the verge of tears."Good. I almost thought I was sending off the wrong message.""Come on, dude, just let Derek be Derek."We were heading out from the locker room, and yes—we were at school before school hours. That coach is really something."Is it just me, or does everyone see

*Ariana*"Wakey wakey," Matt cooed, slapping my cheeks."Ughh.. 20 more minutes," I said, rolling around in the sheets."You know, any other typical teenagers would have begged for 5 minutes more, but here you are demanding 20 minutes more. Don't be greedy—get your ass up.""Well, that's Ariana Kings for ya. And we all know I'm not a typical teenager.""Are you bitc- I mean peaches—still in bed? Get your asses up before I make you," Brit roared.Now that did get me out of bed. Why, you may ask? 'Cause I knew Brit wasn't joking when she said that—trust me."Thanks, Brit. I couldn't have done it without you," Matt sighed."I know, you've always been a wussy," she said with a smile."Evilll! Evill!" Matt yelled, pointing fingers.

*Ariana*I don't think I really remembered how I got home, but all I knew was that I was so damn exhausted.And guess what? (Dramatic pause) I was on my bed actually crying. And no, it wasn't the kind where you go looking for a freaking mirror to look how cute you are. No, in this case, you don't really need it 'cause you know you already look like a freaking ghost with spider-web eyes. To put it simply—I'm a mess. Actually.I don't know why I'm feeling this way, but I think maybe it's because Davis was the only person who knew me as my real psychotic, crazy self and chose to love me for who I was. But apparently, I was wrong. And as much as I'd hate to admit it, that hit me so hard. Yeah sure, maybe everyone does love me, but not when I'm the real me. It just feels like everyone wants me to be so perfect, and school was like the place I could just be free and...I heard a knock on my door. Dang it, my thoughts were interrupted just when I was in the mood to be vulnerable. Guess it's