ANMELDENMom told us Sophia was coming to stay with us which was total fine considering their family relationship with ours.The days after Sophia arrived settled into a strange, careful rhythm that felt both familiar and suffocating she had been with us for almost a week now, her recovery steady and visible. The color had returned to her cheeks, and she moved around the house with more energy each day. Mom and Dad were relieved, treating her like an honored guest — Mom fussing over her meals, Dad making sure she had everything she needed. Jayden, of course, was glued to her side,he spent hours in the living room reading her novels aloud, his voice low and soothing as he acted out the dramatic parts to make her laugh she’d giggle, covering her mouth, and he’d look at her with that soft, charming smile I used to think was only for me.It was all so deliberate and obvious he was bent on making me jealous, and it was working more than I wanted to admit. Every laugh they shared, every time he hel
The days after our argument settled into an uneasy kind of quiet that felt heavier than any shouting match. Jayden’s attitude toward me hadn’t improved. If anything, it had grown colder, sharper, like a wall he was determined to keep between us, he barely responded when I greeted him in the mornings, his eyes sliding past me like I was part of the furniture. At dinner, he’d sit across the table, jaw tight, answering Mom and Dad with short, clipped words while avoiding my gaze completely. It was like I didn’t exist part of me was relieved — at least he was respecting the boundaries I’d tried to set. But the truth was, it hurt. Low-key, quietly, in the places I didn’t want to admit. Being ignored by the person who once held me like I was the only thing that mattered left a hollow ache in my chest that no amount of distraction could fully fill.Mom noticed.One evening, after Jayden had left the table early again, she pulled me aside in the kitchen while Dad was still finishing his coff
(Brandon’s POV)I leaned back against the locker, arms crossed, watching Nico do his usual thing.He was in full tease mode again, smacking the back of my head lightly while pretending to check my notes. “You still writing like a kindergartener, Brandon? Come on, focus.”Kylie laughed from the side, and Troy just smirked like he knew something I didn’t I rolled my eyes and shoved Nico’s hand away, but I couldn’t hide the small grin tugging at my lips. This had become our routine since the Downhill Resort trip — Nico finding excuses to bother me, me pretending to hate it, and everyone else watching like it was the best entertainment on campus.But today, as Nico leaned in a little too close, his fingers brushing my shoulder while he pointed at a random line in my notebook, something in my chest tightened a memory hit me hard — that night after we got back from the resort the walk the jealousy and the kiss.I swallowed, trying to focus on the present, but the flashback pulled me under a
Weeks slipped by in a strange, uneven rhythm after Jayden was home Marbel return the house felt full again, but the space between Jayden and I had never felt wider.Jayden gave me attitude at every turn, if I greeted him in the morning, he’d barely grunt a response, if our eyes met across the dinner table, he’d look away like I was nothing more than background noise. He avoided my gaze completely, like looking at me for too long might burn him part of me was glad — at least he was respecting the boundaries I’d tried to set. But the truth was, it hurt. Low-key, quietly, in the places I didn’t want to admit being ignored by the person who once held me like I was the only thing that mattered left a hollow ache in my chest that no amount of distraction could fully fill.At school, it was the same cold game he’d walk past me in the hallways without a word, shoulders tense, jaw set. His friends still came around to tease Brandon and Kylie when I wasn’t there, but the moment I showed up, J
When Dave’s car pulled up to the house, the late afternoon light cast long shadows across the driveway. I could feel Jayden’s presence before I even saw him — that heavy, familiar weight in the air. As I stepped out, waving goodbye to Dave with a small smile, his car turned smoothly and disappeared down the street. I took a deep breath, trying to hold onto the lightness from the night before, but the moment I walked through the front door, it evaporated.Jayden was standing at the top of the staircase like a shadow, arms crossed, eyes locked on the spot where Dave’s car had been. The look he gave me was pure ice — stern, furious, and laced with something darker I couldn’t quite name jealousy? Hurt? I didn’t linger to find out. I ignored him completely, walking straight past without a word, my footsteps echoing louder than they should have in the quiet house.Inside my room, I closed the door firmly and leaned against it for a second, heart still racing from the drive home and the me
The invitation came on a quiet Wednesday afternoon. Dave’s text was simple but made my heart skip “Lunch tomorrow? Just us i know a place you’ll like.”I stared at the message for a long moment, a small smile tugging at my lips. After the chaos at school and the emotional rollercoaster with Jayden, this felt… easy, light like a breath of fresh air. I replied quickly before I could overthink it: “I’d love that.”The next day, I got home from school, rested for a bit, then took a long shower i chose my favorite casual but nice outfit — a crisp white shirt that hugged my shoulders just right, dark jeans, and the cologne Marbel had bought me for my birthday. Nothing too fancy, but enough to feel confident. I checked myself in the mirror, running a hand through my hair for the first time in weeks, I liked what I saw — someone who was starting to stand on his own.I texted Dave that I was ready he offered to pick me up, but I said no. “Just send the location i’ll meet you there.”He sent
School resumed three days after we returned from Thailand, and the campus felt both familiar and strangely new.The morning air was crisp with that back-to-school energy — students chatting excitedly in the hallways, lockers slamming, and the faint smell of fresh books and cafeteria coffee. I walk
The weeks after our little vacation to downhill resort settled in quick, but Mom was still buried in work. As Chief Surgeon, her schedule was relentless — early mornings, late nights, and emergency calls that pulled her away even on weekends. Dad wasn’t much better, his business booming with new c
A few days passed and the anticipation for results to be realised was growing.The afternoon sun was warm and golden, the kind of light that made everything feel softer around the edges,we were all outside in the backyard — Marbel stretched out on a lounge chair with a book, Jayden lazily tossing a
The last morning at Downhill Resort felt bittersweet, like the final page of a book you didn’t want to end, we packed our bags slowly, dragging our feet as the sun rose over the beach one last time. The colorful tents came down, the bonfire pit was cleared, and the staff waved us off with big smil







