LOGIN(KAIRA'S POV)The morning light crept through the curtains like a gentle whisper, pulling me from the depths of a dreamless sleep. For a moment, I forgot where I was. Then I felt the warm weight of an arm draped across my waist, and everything came flooding back.Slade.I turned my head slowly, not wanting to wake him, and found myself staring at his peaceful face. The morning sun caught the angles of his jaw, the curve of his lips, the dark sweep of his lashes against his cheeks. He looked younger in sleep. Softer. Like the weight he carried had finally been lifted.I reached up and gently traced the line of his brow, marveling at how I'd gotten here. How this complicated, infuriating, beautiful boy had become the center of my world.His eyes fluttered open, and when he saw me watching him, a slow smile spread across his face."Morning, beautiful." His voice was rough with sleep, but it sent shivers down my spine."Morning." I whispered, my cheeks flushing."Sleep well?""Better than
(KAIRA'S POV)The next few hours passed in a blur of activity.Cameron and Jackie had descended upon my room like a whirlwind, armed with makeup bags, curling irons, and an alarming amount of confidence. They'd commandeered my closet, vetoed at least ten outfit options, and were now circling me like fashion-conscious vultures."Absolutely not," Cameron said, tossing aside a perfectly nice dress. "You're not wearing that.""What's wrong with it?" I protested."It's beige, Kaira. Beige. You're going to a party, not a job interview." He held up a deep emerald gown that I'd never seen before. "This. This is the one."I stared at the dress, my mouth falling open. "Where did you get that?""I brought it, obviously." He rolled his eyes. "I knew you'd try to wear something boring. This is a statement piece. It says, 'I'm beautiful, I'm confident, and I'm dating the hottest guy in PineCrest.'"Jackie giggled, holding up a pair of strappy heels. "And these will go perfectly with it."I looked b
(KAIRA'S POV)I woke up with a smile on my face.For the first time in what felt like forever, everything was perfect. The morning sun was warm on my skin, the sheets were soft beneath me, and Slade's arms were wrapped around me like I was the most precious thing in the world.I turned my head slightly to look at him. He was still asleep, his face peaceful, his dark lashes fanned across his cheeks. In sleep, he looked younger. Softer. Like all the weight he carried had finally been lifted.I reached up and gently traced the line of his jaw, marveling at how I'd gotten here. How this complicated, infuriating, beautiful boy had become the center of my world.His eyes fluttered open, and when he saw me watching him, a slow smile spread across his face."Morning, beautiful." His voice was rough with sleep, but it sent shivers down my spine."Morning." I whispered, my cheeks flushing."Sleep well?""Better than I have in weeks." I admitted. "You?""Best sleep I've ever had." He pulled me c
(KAIRA’S POV)I turned to look at him, my eyes filled with emotion."I should be thanking you." My voice was barely above a whisper. "For seeing me. For choosing me. For not giving up on me when everyone else did."Slade's jaw tightened. His hand found mine under the table, squeezing gently. "I will never give up on you, Makaira. Ever."Cameron cleared his throat loudly. "Okay, you two. Save the soulmate stuff for later. We're trying to eat here."Jackie laughed. "Let them have their moment, Cam. It's sweet.""It's nauseating, is what it is." Cameron grinned, but his eyes were warm. "But also, yes. Very sweet. I'm happy for you both."Slade leaned back, his arm sliding around my shoulders. "Thanks, Cam. That means a lot.""Don't get used to it." Cameron pointed a fry at him. "I'm still watching you. One wrong move and I'll—""You'll what?" Slade raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips."I'll... tell your mum.""She's not my mum.""Then I'll tell your dad.""He won't care.""Fin
(KAIRA'S POV)The morning sun seemed to follow us everywhere.After the exchange with Cameron and Jackie, I felt like I was walking on air. The whispers were still there, the stares still burned, but they couldn't touch me. Not today. Not when I had Slade's hand in mine and his smile warming my heart."Cameron's right, you know," Jackie said, falling into step beside me as we walked to our first class. "You really are glowing. It's like you've been reborn or something."I laughed, the sound bright and carefree. "I don't know about reborn. But I do feel different. Lighter. Like I can finally breathe.""Love will do that to you," Cameron said dramatically, pressing his hand to his chest. "It's the most powerful force in the universe. It can heal wounds, mend broken hearts, and make even the grumpiest, most emotionally constipated bad boy—" he glanced pointedly at Slade, who was still watching me from across the hallway, "—into a complete softie."I felt my cheeks flush. "He's not a soft
(KAIRA'S POV)I woke up with a smile on my face.For the first time in weeks, I didn't feel the familiar weight of anxiety pressing down on my chest. There was no dread, no worry, no fear of what the day might bring. Just a warm, glowing sensation that started in my heart and spread through my entire body.I stretched lazily, the sunlight streaming through my curtains and casting golden patterns across my ceiling. Everything about the morning felt different—the air was fresher, the light was brighter, the world felt full of possibility.Because of him.I couldn't stop the smile that spread across my face. Slade. The way he'd looked at me yesterday, the way he'd held my hand, the way he'd kissed me in the clock tower. Every moment replayed in my mind like a favorite movie.I hugged my pillow to my chest, letting myself relive it all. The café, the conversation, the way he'd opened up about his mother. The drive back, the climb up the stairs, the way the golden light had caught his feat
(KAIRA'S POV) The large iron gates opened, and I felt the familiar weight of panic settle behind my ribs. I pressed my sweaty palms against the expensive leather while my body stiffened in the backseat. I wanted to close my eyes but somehow I couldn't. I sat, like a programmed robot, and watched
(KAIRA'S POV) "Mr. Horton, your project partner is… Miss Jin." Our English teacher, Mrs. Reed, announced. My stomach sank, and a heavy weight transferred to my chest. Of all the people in PineCrest High, it had to be Slade Horton. Football captain. Sole hair of Horton Empire. Most popular an
(KAIRA'S POV)Slade put me down immediately and draped his jacket over my shoulder. I stood like a doll, unmoving, waiting as the footsteps presented their owners."Oh my goodness, what happened, baby?" Mum cried as she ran towards me. "We were just on our way to get you both and then we heard you
(KAIRA'S POV)Slade was torturing me with silence. Simply leading the way.I followed him closely like a pupil behind a headmaster, past the house doors, to the hedged pathways, to the garden gates, past chrysanthemums, a variety of roses, orchids, daisies… and then carefully past the stepping ston







