VERA
I had just returned from Amelia's birthday party, brimming with joy from the festivities. Amelia had even called me her best friend, much to Thalia's chagrin. That alone had made the party unforgettable.
Oh my God! Who would have ever thought Amelia thought of me as her best friend?
Eager to share the excitement with my mother, I rushed home, only to find the door unanswered to my persistent knocks. What started as anticipation quickly turned to apprehension as each unanswered rap on the door filled the silent house with dread.
"Mom?" I called out, my voice trembling in the stillness. No reply. With a trembling hand, I turned the doorknob, the darkness inside seeming denser than usual.
Entering cautiously, a chilling sensation enveloped me. The living room, usually a haven of familiarity, now felt ominous under the veil of shadows. "Mom?" I called again, the sound barely audible amidst the silence.
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VERAThe school bell rang, and the class quickly erupted in chaos even before the teacher was out the door. Being the ass he was, the history teacher turned to glare at us. But the students, being even more of an ass than he was, only hooted at him before proceeding to ignore him completely.Helpless to do anything to us within the school rules, he slouched out of the class to the cheers of my classmates.It was a Friday once again, and the weekend ahead started just like it has always done since we entered final year and got the extremely unlikeable history teacher as one of our teachers.Rousing myself from the stupor I had fallen into, I sighed and gathered up my books. Beside me, Alex's eyes were glazed over. The shock was enough to wake me completely.Quickly, I searched with my eyes till I found Josh and Ezekiel. They too had glazed eyes, completely different from the chaos around us.Jeez! Just how bad was the class?
VERAMy heart was beating as I followed the manager into his back office. It would be the first time ever I was there, and it somehow made everything worse. It somehow felt like being summoned to the principal's office at school.What kind of offense did one have to commit to be summoned to the back office? Had I and Alex just committed it?However, within the turbulent thoughts and emotions, Alex slid his palm into mine and our fingers linked together. It was surprising how naturally they did.However, it provided a surprising measure of comfort in the tense atmosphere, and I was regretful to let go when the manager turned and gestured us to a seat.For a moment, we just stared at each other. The air between us thickened till it could have been cut with a knife. At last, I couldn't hold the manager's gaze though I had kept mine lowered.My eyes drifted restlessly around the office, taking note of all the littl
VERA’S POV “So there’s a party tonight at my place, you can come Vera…” I could not wipe off the huge smile that sat on my face, as I replayed Nathan’s words in my head. Nate Carter, the Nathan Carter had finally invited me to a party. Did this mean he now saw me as a grown woman, and not just the little sister of his late friend. I did a twirl, giggling at my own stupidity. Did this mean Nathan thought I was beautiful?With a big smile on my face, I picked up my phone and dialed my second best friend’s number. She picked up at the first ring. “Do you think I’m beautiful Rachie?” Rachel giggled. “Well hello to you too – where is this coming from if I may ask?” “Just answer the question.” I demanded in mock seriousness, but I low key wanted an answer from her. I had lived in the shadows too much, I needed some reassurance to know that I belonged. Rachel was quiet for a little while, then when she spoke next, her voice was emotional. “Of course my kitty. You’re
VERA’S POVI stepped into Nathan’s house, with my left hand curled around Nathan’s arm, and I tried not to sneeze as a whiff of smoke stung my nostrils. No, that was not cigarettes. I didn’t even try to figure out what it was they were smoking, or what pills they seemed to be passing around to each other at the party – so this was what an adult party was like! I glanced at Nate and smiled as I noted the frown on his face. He was obviously already regretting bringing me. I shrugged as I stepped in, well it was already to late to tell me to go back home – although I could not put it past him. I was in for another shock when I fully stepped into the building. Several girls were topless, and twerking on the laps of the guys. I blushed hotly and looked away. There was something so intimate about the way they were grinding their bodies against the guys. I let go of Nathan’s arm and stepped into the throng of people whining their bodies to the slow music and getting wasted on alcoh
VERA’S POVI could feel warm, hard masculine muscles pressed against my back, and a strong arm was holding me. His scent – his musky masculine scent was everywhere, making my head swim. Before I even opened my eyes, I felt my lips curve up in a smile. Nate. I was obviously in his arms – then I opened my eyes, and the pounding headache came. I looked down at our entwined bodies. I was no longer wearing the daring, red tube gown that I had put on to challenge Nate, instead I was wearing one of his huge T shirts, I felt my body with my free hand, and blushed as I discovered I was wearing only my undies underneath. Had Nathan seen me in my undies? His breathing was very calm and rhythmic, for a moment, I thought he was sleeping, but when I turned my head up, I found myself staring into his hooded dark blue eyes. I had never seen him with such and unreadable expression before, and I had no idea of what was going on in his mind. My not knowing made me feel vulnerable, and vulnerab
VERA’S POV “No. I wanted to teach you how painful it was when a man uses you merely for sexual pleasure, with no feelings attached. That’s what that kiss was, purely physical, zero feelings.”… I bit my lip at the memory of his words. I guess I deserved that. I had wanted to know what it felt like to be one of Nathan’s girls, and now I did.Nathan had come back to check how I was doing a while later, and maybe, my senses had come back then, because I apologized for kissing him, and thanked him for taking care of me at the party. My heart had been thudding against my chest as I spoke, and a hidden corner buried deep in my heart had hoped our kiss would open up a conversation about feelings, that I would be bold enough to tell him about my crush on him, how afraid I had been to speak up, and maybe – just maybe, he would tell me he felt the same way. But Nathan’s eyes had become unreadable as he dropped the bombshell about our entire making out being purely physical for him. It
VERA'S POV I looked at Nathan's polo on the bed. I liked wearing it, but I couldn't wear it home. So, I searched around for my dress. Where had I dropped it when I … Heat rose in my cheeks as I remembered I hadn't removed my clothes by myself. It would be the lecherous son of a bitch that drugged my drinks. What would I wear home now? Right at that moment, the door opened and Nathan walked in, or tried to anyway. But he froze when he saw me naked, apologized and walked out coolly. In that split second where he realized I was naked, my mind kept screaming at me to jump at him and see his reaction. Perhaps….just perhaps, he would forget... But I couldn't gather my courage for it. I sighed when the door closed after him. That would have been the most stupid decision of the year, and I've made very stupid decisions, like kissing Nathan. He probably has girls throwing themselves at him all the time, clothed or otherwise, and would be no stranger to it. I would ju
VERA'S POV "Are you there?" Rachel's voice came over the phone, cutting through my dismay. "Yeah, yeah," I said, flustered. There was a suspicious "uh huh," at the other end of the line, followed by a pause and a giggle. "Wait…Vee, are you just coming back from your crush's party?" Rachel asked. "Um…yeah…" There was a squeal at the other end. "Hurray! It was all night?" she asked breathlessly. "Yeah…," I wanted to tell her I didn't even know when the party was over, seeing as I was knocked out, but she speared on. "Wow!" she squealed again. "You're a big girl now, Vee. You're leaving me behind," she giggled madly. "How was it? Wait, you haven't told me who it is, have you? Which boy wasn't at school today too?" I held my breath. Rachel groaned in frustration. "Gosh. They're too many that didn't come to school today. You will tell me who it was and all about it when you come to school, won't you?" she asked breathlessly. I groaned mentally. I