Romane von Amanda Pearson

The sun had dropped just low enough that the porch boards were turning amber, the shadows of the railing slicing across them like fingers reaching for the night. Ari leaned back in her chair, the warm evening air curling around her like a blanket, and she could hear the faint hum of cicadas threading through the yard.Gavin’s hand was in hers, thumb brushing over her knuckles in the slow, steady rhythm that always seemed to anchor her. He was quiet now, unusually so, staring toward the house, where light spilled from the kitchen windows in soft squares.“Do you hear that?” he asked, voice low, cautious.“What?” Ari tilted her head, trying to catch his meaning.“Inside,” he said, a thread of unease in his voice. “Sounds… different. Not bad, not weird, just…” He trailed off, squinting toward the kitchen window. “…like there’s something heavy in the air.”Eben snorted, legs stretched out lazily, but even he shifted slightly, catching the faint tension. “You’re reading too much into it,” h

Then he leaned in, just enough that his forehead rested against mine. The warmth of him, the closeness, stole my breath.“I love you too, Ari,” he whispered, voice rough, breaking at the edges. “I’ve loved you longer than I know how to explain. And I thought I could bury it, hide it, let it go… but every time I tried, I just found myself coming back to you. Every time.”Tears pricked hot in my eyes, but his thumb caught one before it could fall. He smiled, small and aching, like he’d been waiting years to finally let this truth out.“I don’t care if it’s messy,” he said, his voice steadier now. “I don’t care what anyone else thinks. I just—” His words faltered, and instead he closed the gap between us. His lips brushed mine, feather-light, a kiss that wasn’t hunger or urgency but a promise. A confession.The world tilted, melted, disappeared.And when he finally pulled back, his forehead still resting against mine, he whispered it again, so low I almost thought I imagined it.“I love

Gemma nodded, hugging her knees. “If it’s something private, just say so. But don’t act like we’re imagining it. Because we’re not.”My throat tightened. I opened my mouth—then closed it again. The words sat too close to the surface, too sharp to risk spilling in front of them.Before I could say anything, Gavin finally exhaled, low and steady. “Some things aren’t ready to be explained yet.” His voice was calm, but his hand curled into a fist against his thigh, a betraying edge. “And when they are… you’ll understand.”The porch went quiet again, the ocean filling in the space where answers should’ve been.Eben leaned back with a sigh, like he wanted to push harder but knew better. Gemma bit her lip, watching me carefully, like she could see through my silence.The silence stretched, the kind that didn’t feel peaceful but heavy, restless. I shifted on the porch step, suddenly hyper-aware that Eben and Gemma weren’t just my friends—they were family, the kind who saw too much without hav

Josh turned toward her, brow furrowing. “That’s the thing, though. You are someone without him. You don’t see it, but… you’re strong. You’re sharp. You’re—” he stopped, the words almost sticking in his throat. “You don’t need him to be someone.”Mara gave a bitter laugh, shaky. “Strong? I cried my eyes out in front of you, a total stranger in this house, and I can’t even breathe without feeling like my chest is caving in. That’s not strong.”He didn’t hesitate this time. “Yeah, it is. You let yourself feel it. That’s stronger than pretending.”She blinked at him, stunned into silence. And then, without really meaning to, she let her head fall onto his shoulder. Josh tensed for half a second, his whole body stiff like he wasn’t sure if he should let her, but then he slowly relaxed, turning his cheek just enough to brush against her hair.Neither of them spoke. The swing creaked softly as it shifted under their weight. Mara’s breathing started to steady, syncing with his.“You know,” Jo

[Ari]The first slam made me jump, the sound rattling through the hallway like a warning shot. A beat later, another door slammed, harder this time. The silence that followed was almost worse, heavy and stretched thin.Mom and Marianne both looked up from the couch, mid-conversation, their smiles fading. I froze too, hugging my knees where I sat curled beside Mom.Then Gavin appeared.He stepped out of the hallway, his face pale, his expression carved sharp like stone. His jaw was tight, his shoulders stiff, his eyes carrying that look I’d only seen after fights with his dad—half fury, half defeat.But he didn’t say a word.He leaned against the doorframe for a second, dragging a hand through his hair like the weight of the world was pressing down. For the smallest moment, his eyes flicked to mine—just a glance, but enough to make my heart lurch. He looked… tired. Worn down in a way I’d never seen.I opened my mouth, but no sound came.“Everything okay?” Marianne asked carefully, her

“Hey,” he said, voice softer now, almost intimate in the way it brushed against my ear. “Promise me something?”“What?” I asked, though I already had a feeling.“Whatever happens today, no distractions. Just us, okay? I don’t care what’s going on with everyone else. Just… this.” He squeezed my hand again, just enough to make me notice, and my heart did that stupid, uncontrollable fluttering thing that only he could make it do.I nodded, words failing me, but my squeeze back said it all.And in that quiet, morning-lit car, with coffee still ahead and the world just waking, it felt like maybe everything else could wait.Even with the quiet hum of the engine and the warmth of Gavin’s hand in mine, my mind flickered to Eben for just a moment—the way he’d leaned in last night, the brief brush of his lips, the intensity in his eyes. Confusion gnawed at me. Did I ever feel something for him beyond the closeness of growing up together? A family-kind of love? Or was it just the familiarity of

Colby’s P.O.V “I really don’t want to do this jasper.” Jason whispers I can hear his voice shake. “You’re going to say that after he beat you up and is now trying to kill you?” I ask, it seems unbelievable after seeing him just kill a man yet still unsure about Jasper. “Wait you really fell for all that, did you really think I would fall for a guy?” Jasper laughs.“Are you going to tell me where they are?” I asked the guy in front of me, whatever problems those two are having can’t be my priority right now. “Why would I do that?” the man skirked, he didn’t seem the least bit intimidated by the gun in his face. “We killed Ale, what makes you think we won’t kill you?” I ask staring him down, I click off the safety. “You won’t shoot, I’m the only one that has the information you need.” He smiles bitterly. “No, you aren’t the only one with the information I need.” I turn the gun down and pull the trigger shooting him in the knee he falls to one knee and he screams.“I am going to as

“That’s probably Jason’s fault.” Hayley replied, turning on her turning signal. “Why do you say that?” I asked, furrowing my eyebrows. “Remember before we left when your mom said Jason ‘used’ to be in the military?” She reitterated. “Yeah, what about it?” I asked again, breathing out smoke. “You put a gun in that guy's hands, and all of a sudden he thinks nothing can touch him. He stopped listening to orders and began to be a risk to his platoon. His C.O decided it might be best if he was dismissed from his duties for the past year now, or, should I say, at least before we met you.” She says continuing to drive down the next street. “You’ve known me for eight months now, which means he must have been let go twelve months ago?” I say, keeping an eye on the cop car behind us. “Yeah, give or take that.” She nodded; her blue eyes kept flickering in her rearview mirror. “We are getting close to the grocery store, you think we will pull this off?” “Again, we don’t have much of a cho

Chloe’s P.O.VI made my way slowly out onto the balcony, I needed fresh air. I haven’t heard from Colby or Jason in hours, and I can’t call them again, but right now I don’t know if any of them are dead or alive.I leaned against the metal bars I could feel the staples in my abdomen pulling, I took a deep breath. I heard the balcony door open and close behind me. “I know there’s a lot of stress right now, but is there anything I can do to ease it a bit?”Hayley questioned, leaning sideways onto the balcony bars, I thought for a moment. “Actually, there mighty be. Call Hayden.” I say, nodding. “Wait, are you sure thats a good idea?” You could hear the doubt in her voice. “Regardless of him not listening to orders, he is still good with combat and a gun.” I said, taking a cigarette from the pack, lighting it between my lips inhaling the smoke.“It's just that, we haven't really heard from him since that night with Lucy.” Hayley trails off.“What are you talking about? He was supposed

“Are you insane?” I whispered to Jason urgently in my voice.“We gotta get rid of them.” He whispered back.“No, keep your head down and keep your mouth shut. They'll leave, just watch.” I nodded toward the men around the corner.Sure enough they continued to walk, a phone started going off.“Yeah, what?” One of the boys said.“We were just about finished our rounds.” He continued, we couldn't hear who was on the other end.“Yeah, no sight of Colby yet.”“What's he saying?” The other guy beside him asked.“We gotta do another round.” The one on the phone replied.“You gotta be joking.” the other commented.I looked at Jason, his hand around the butt of the gun, it was like he was just itching to spill blood.“Wait, you want us to meet you where? –Yeah alright Jasp, yeah old gas station? Okay, yeah we will meet you there.”My blood ran cold, and I looked at Jasper's face, it looked as if the blood ran from his face, he was as pale as a ghost. Jasper, is on their side?I could hear their

Chloe's p.o.v A part of me knew, the last I know the better but not knowing was slowly driving me crazy. “Chloe dear, you must calm down.” My mother says sitting on the edge of the couch in our livingroom. Hayley was in the kitchen making tea, I on the other hand is pacing the room, I told the police half truths meaning they were also half lies and thinking about that is making me anxious. “I can’t.” I say biting the nail on my thumb. “Okay but can you at least sit down, you gave birth only six hours ago, if you keep pacing like this you will rip your stitches. “I don’t care about the stitches, I care about my family coming back safe.” I realized I said that more harshly then I intended, so I sat down in the chair beside the coffee table. “I know how terrifying this is, your father didn’t want to wait for the police to bring you home either.” She says softly. I looked down and bit my lower lip before speaking. “Why did you?” “We had your brother to care for too, we couldn

All I heard over the phone was nothing but a click indicating she hung up, I sighed and pulled a harsh corner off of the freeway and onto a street. Continuously looking in my rearview mirror seeing if I lost them yet, nope red and blue lights shined brighter as the afternoon was turning to evening. "In Hayley's shitty car I don't think we are going to lose them." Jason says, annoyance filled his voice and I pressed on the gas as hard as it would let me. You could hear the thumping of the engine and the steering wheel was almost impossible to control, veering side to side as if I had a few too many to drink but I still held on. As I said before nothing will get in my way, not even these law abiding cops who didn't learn when to quit. There was a voice of the cop in the magnaphone. "Pull over or we will shoot." I didn't obey, I didn't stop or slow down. I had to get there and soon because if I don't kill us, Chloe will if I don't bring the twins home safe and sound, I wouldn't sto

“Are you sure that’s wise?” Aris asked standing in the doorway with her arms crossed leaning against the door frame. “No, but what choice do I have? Pregnant or not I am still queen I must protect my people… and my husband, I have to train, I have to bring my mother back.” I say swallowing the bile that threatened up my throat. “What good will it do to bring her back, she lost her mind Celeste, and it seems you are close to doing the same,” Aris replies, she seems more harsh than usual. I slowly stood up, out of the way of the mess on the floor, my dress lopped over my shoulders. “I will not sit here and watch my kingdom fall to ruin, and my father will fall to his knees before me and shed blood like the people he slayed,” I spoke with venom. “You’re being reckless, you must think clearly about this.” Her voice became uncertain and full of worry. “The training that she’s speaking of isn’t physical strength, it's mental focus. She will be fine, and I’ll be by her side the entir

I heard quickening footsteps behind me, I spun around quickly hoping to stop the weapon from taking its blow, but I did not stop it. Instead it went through the amulet and the middle of my chest, all the air gasped out my lungs, but the weapon wasn't what surprised me, it was who held it. I could take only a small breath for my last words. "Since I can't kill him, then she will. You know that don't you?" I sneered, as I laughed until he twisted the long blade further into my chest, I coughed up blood, and before I went into forever slumber I hear his words. "If it's a war my dear sister wants, then I'll tear her kingdom down." He whispers in my ear, and that's the last thing I remember. Celeste's P.O.V I felt a searing pain throughout my chest and veins pulling me down to my knees, forcing a scream from my lips so awful I scared myself, my back arched toward the ceiling my hands in strengthened fists flames surrounded me and the mark grew farther up my neck. I heard the door sla

Celeste's P.O.V I was now alone in my room, without the dagger. I wanted to take it with me but Henora, Asiya's mother, insisted on taking it with her, and Asiya decided to keep an eye on her since I wasn't too sure to trust Henora alone. Aris and Tabitha decided it was best to continue on with their duties which meant I was alone for the night, alone to handle my thoughts. Sitting at my desk with a quill, ink and parchment paper I stared blankly towards the window where I got stuck on the balcony. "What do I know about the Amulet so far…" I say outloud to myself. I began to list off everything like; it responds to deep emotions, the stronger the emotion the more Chaos or magic it uses. Whoever has it now has very strong magic, and the Dagger and the amulet are bonded together by something none of us know about. The fae stole the Amulet most likely for my father even though he doesn't have magic. The war when both were created had something to do with my mother and now connects t

Celeste I awoke in bed sitting up slowly with audible yawn, I looked beside me and saw Asiya asleep. She must have stayed with me that night, I don't remember anything of last night I went to move my arm to nudge Asiya and instead felt a searing pain. It looked like black ink In my veins, and it made me nervous. Asiya sat up, her eyes barely open. "Celeste you're awake." "Good morning.'' I say Pulling my legs from beneath the covers. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes. "Are you feeling okay? You passed out and I worried about leaving you alone." "Other than the sharp pain in my wrist, I seem to be okay. I'm sorry for worrying you." I replied. I felt guilty, but my head was still slightly spinning. I tried to blink it away but it persisted. A knock came to the door and it opened a crack to reveal Aris with a tray with two sets of plates with eggs, pancakes and two glasses of freshly squeezed orange juice. "Good morning, I brought you both some breakfast." Aris mentions as s

"I don't know what else to do." I admitted looking up at the ceiling. "We should wait until that guy gets back and then we can make a plan." Aris says thinking out loud. "That's if he doesn't get caught." Asiya comments with her hand on her hip. "If Tabitha doesn't want her to send the dagger to Senya, then what should we do?" Aris asked as we stood in a circle. "If she wants, let Tabitha kill him." Asiya shrugged, and we all turned to face Tabitha and she looked horrified. "That actually might be a better plan, something ties the two of them together." Aris says a finger against her lips as she thought about it more clearly. "Is that a joke? I'm not killing a man that is inhumane!" She exclaims loudly, Asiya and Aris both shushed her outburst. "Just because her grandfather could have fought the war with my mother doesn't mean we are connected other than that." I say, as this kept dragging on. "Wait a war?" She asked as if something of the sort piqued her interest. "How the Al

"Yes, of course." She says, with her hands behind her back. Tabitha didn't move, she looked like she had something to hide, but I was too tired to question it. Her hand moved in a strange direction as if she was holding something carefully not to drop it and maneuvering around us the entire time she faced toward us yet walking backwards toward the kitchen. "Are you hiding something?" Asiya asked, her face twisted in suspicion. "No, what would I be hiding?" Tabitha giggled nervously, and Aris came out of the kitchen with a dish towel in hand. Aris looked frightened. "She has a dagger in her hand!" Asiya moved Swiftly in front of me in a protective stance, her magic rising from her fingertips. I let out a sigh, can't I have one normal night with out people trying to murder me? "Wait! It's not what it looks like!" Tabitha yelled, dropping the dagger and placing her hands out in defense. I watched the dagger fall to the floor, it had an obsidian blade with silver and black runes th

I let out a shaky laugh. “You make it sound so simple. Like it’s just… one weekend.”“Because it is,” he says firmly. “It’s one weekend that’ll remind us both why this is worth it.” He pauses, his voice softening. “I don’t care how far away I am, Ari. I don’t stop thinking about you.”My heart squeezes so hard it almost hurts. “You always know exactly what to say.”“I don’t. I just know how I feel.” His voice dips lower, like it’s only for me. “And I need you to believe me when I tell you—this isn’t temporary. We didn’t burn out with summer. We’re only getting started.”I press my sleeve against my eyes, but he catches the break in my breath anyway.“Ari…” His tone gentles, coaxing. “Hey. Don’t cry. Please. You have no idea what it does to me, knowing I can’t just—be there, hold you, make it better.”“You already are,” I whisper. “Even when you’re three hours away.”There’s a silence that feels like a smile, warm and alive, until—“GAVIN!” The voice rips through the phone, harsh and r

The conversation peters out after that, the tension still lingering but softened by Jack’s words. We eat the last bites of our meal in relative quiet, the clatter of forks on plates filling the gaps between unspoken thoughts.“Alright,” Mom says finally, setting her napkin down. “Let’s get this cleared.”I push back my chair and stand, grabbing the plates. Josh follows suit, though he’s slower, lingering at the table a moment longer before helping. Even in the mundane act of clearing the dishes, the weight of the day seems to press on us both, though differently—me with longing and guilt, him with that quiet protectiveness he can’t quite shake.I rinse the salad bowl at the sink while Josh stacks plates and cups by the dishwasher. Mom dries and puts away silverware, while Jack wipes down the table. The routine is comforting, grounding, even if my mind is elsewhere, still hovering over Gavin’s message glowing on my phone in my pocket.“You’ve both been quiet lately,” Mom says gently, l

[Ari]Autumn feels heavier than summer ever did. The air is sharper, the nights longer, and everything between us is already cracking.Josh and I walk the same halls at school, but it’s not the same as it used to be. He still won’t look at me when Gavin’s name comes up, like my feelings for him are a crime I never confessed. Mara barely texts anymore unless it’s clipped, practical things. And Gavin—well, Gavin’s three hours away, counting down the days until graduation, already acting like he’s got one foot out the door.Gemma texted me last night: You ever feel like you’re suffocating, even when the window’s open?I didn’t know how to answer.I keep thinking about summer, the salt wind and the laughter and the promises we made, but autumn isn’t summer. –And the truth is, maybe none of us are the same anymore.The thing about autumn is that it looks prettier than it feels. Everyone talks about the leaves—red, orange, gold, the whole cliché—but no one talks about the gray sky behin