(ANNALISE'S POV)His eyes held mine, and my heart hammered against my ribs. One moment we were arguing, and the next, an invisible force was pulling us closer.Despite my earlier annoyance, a strange feeling of warmth flooded my chest as his gaze wandered to my lips. My breath caught in my throat and I found myself honoring the unspoken invitation of his lips.The space between us thinned out, and I soon had his lips on mine. It was nothing like the impulsive one at Landon's place. This was slow, deliberate, and exploring, sending shivers down my spines.When the kids finally ended, we were slightly breathless. His forehead was on mine, a smug smile appearing on his lips.โYou're sweaty,โ I blurted out the first thing that came to mind, trying to mask my embarrassment.He chuckled, a low rumble that affected me. โAnd you taste like earth,โ he teased, playfully poking my nose. Then before I could react, he rubbed his damp jersey against my arm, a mischievous glow in his eyes.โYuck, Lu
(LUCAS'S POV)The whistle blew, cutting through the intense practice going on the field. My lungs were burning, but the familiar thrill of incoming victory kept me going. The intercollege tournament was coming up fast, and the energy on the field was at its peak. Cheers came from the sidelines, a blend of excited teammates and fans. I even spotted Miranda in the crowd, her eyes glued to me, trying to appear supportive but with that possessive vibe she always had.We had a tie, a tight 2โ1, the sophomores putting up a tough fight. Just as I was about to return to the game having recovered my breath, the cheers suddenly died down. Everyone was dispersing and gathering in groups as they fixated on their phones, a weird, silent focus taking over. They were all staring at their screens, looking engrossed and murmuring. It was like something big was happening in their phones.โWhat's up?โ I asked Ben, our midfielder, as he fumbled the ball, his eyes shifting towards the crowd, looking cu
(ANNALISE'S POV)The drive back to campus felt bittersweet. Leaving Landon had felt like a needle pricking my chest, especially at his disappointed expression. But beneath the sadness was a sense of relief. Back in the familiar and less luxurious confines of my dorm room, surrounded by my textbooks and notes, made me feel better.I quickly unpacked, and laid out my study materials on my small desk, the weight of the upcoming tests already beginning to make me feel tense.Hours flew by as I completely immersed myself in my studies. I re-read lecture notes, highlighted key points, and worked through past questions. My initial anxiety began to subside, replaced by a growing feeling of confidence. And just as I was gathering momentum, a sudden commotion erupted outside my door. Loud voices, followed by sharp laughters. Curiosity and anger gripped me as I couldn't understand why anyone would be making that much noise in the dormitory. But before I could even approach the door, it swung
(ANNALISE'S POV)The next day, I woke up to find Landon still asleep, his arms wrapped securely around me. A soft smile played on my lips as I watched his handsome features, the morning light that was beginning to stream in from the gaps in the window, casting gentle shadows across his face. He looked so peaceful in his sleep, a stark contrast to the tense and jealous man from the night before. Carefully, I unwrapped his hand from my waist, mindful not to disturb him, And slipped out of bed. The need to empty my bladder was pressing, so I quietly made my way to the ensuite bathroom.Relief flooded my system as I finished, and I lingered a little, splashing cold water on my face to fully wake myself. Back in the bedroom, Landon was still sound asleep, his chest rising and falling in a pattern. I walked to the table and grabbed my phone, the urge to check for updates tugging at me. I wanted to know if there was any news from the hospital about my mother, and also to see if anything wa
(ANNALISE'S POV)A few seconds passed between us, the silence thick with unspoken accusations. I finally mustered the courage to approach Landon, who stood rigid, his face a blanket of cold indifference. โLandon,โ I began, my voice soft, โyou need to stop this. Stop being jealous.โHe scoffed, turning away slightly. โJealous? Don't be ridiculous. I'm not Jealous.โโYes, you are,โ I insisted, stepping closer. โYou're acting like I'm choosing Lucas over you.โHe turned back now, his eyes flashing like I had struck a chord. โAnd didn't you? He kissed you, and you just let him. He insulted me, but I'm the one who got yelled at while you comforted him.โI couldn't help it, a burst of laughter escaping my throat as the tension was momentarily broken. โYou're so obvious,โ I teased, reaching out to playfully tug at his arm. โYou're absolutely green with envy.โHe tried to maintain his stern facade, but a hint of a smile appeared at the corner of his lips. โI am not,โ he grumbled, though the
(ANNALISE'S POV)Landon strode towards Lucas, his steps swift and deliberate. The energy around him reeked of rage. โWhat do you want here, Lucas?โ he asked, his voice strained and menacing. โWhy do you insist on being a thorn in my flesh?โLucas met his gaze, his green eyes gleaming with defiance. โA thorn? I'd say you're the one who's stolen what's rightfully ours,โ he retorted, his gaze straying to me for a brief, unsettling moment. โOur mate.โLandonโs jaw tightened. โDon't spew nonsense. Go find Miranda. She's waiting for you.โโKeep Miranda out of this,โ Lucas hissed, his voice sharp. โThis is between you, me Logan, and Annalise.โ His eyes returned to me, roaming over my exposed legs as I was still clad in Landon's oversized shirt. I shifted uncomfortably on one foot, feeling heart rising to my cheeks. Lucas' gaze then wandered to Landon's bare chest, and a smirk twisted his lips. "So, you've already taken her to bed, haven't you? Stolen her away so you could have your way and