(ANNALISE'S POV)The cab pulled up in front of the hospital's gate and I paid and alighted, briskly making my way into the premises. As I made the familiar rounds and turns to my mother's hospital ward, I tried not to think about Landon and Lucas and the incident earlier. I couldn't believe they could disrespect me in such a manner. Tossing me aside like I meant nothing. Heavens know I'm never letting them anywhere close to me again. Men like them who had no control of their temper, and wouldn't hesitate to fight each other regardless of where they were, and the people around them, were not safe to be with. And I, Annalise, would not subject myself to such disrespect and danger again. So help me, God.Thoughts of them were out of my head the instant I walked into my mother's room and found her lying in the same state as the last time, unconscious.I walked to the bed, my heart already swelling with emotion. I took a seat beside her, taking her unconscious hand in mine. For a mome
(LUCAS'S POV)As we drove to the hospital, I couldn't help but steal intermittent glances at Annalise. She was fucking cute, in an innocent way, and the fact that she was oblivious to that, made it even more attractive. My eyes trailed down her face, and lingered a little on her lips. The upper part always reminds me of a cupid’s bow. All this while, she kept her eyes fixed outside the car's window, or was pretending to, so she wouldn't make eye contact with me. Sighing, I tore my gaze from her face, before I did something crazy. That was how much power she was beginning to wield over me.But just as I returned my eyes to the road, a car coming from my right suddenly made a wild swerve and stopped in front of me, blocking my path. I quickly stepped on the brakes pedal to avoid a collision, swearing under my breath as I brought the car to a halt just inches away from the other car.I wanted to rush out and confront the reckless bastard behind those wheels when my eyes took in the car
(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.“You're sweaty,” I blurted out the first thing that came to mind, trying to mask my embarrassment.He chuckled, a low rumble that affected me. “And you taste like earth,” 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.“Yuck, 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 2–1, 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.“What's up?” 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