Chapter 9

Valley Hill Lodge was nothing like campus.

The moment we arrived, I understood why people whispered its name like it was sacred. Tall iron gates opened slowly, guarded by security in black suits. Beyond them, the estate stretched wide, perfect lawns, glowing lights, glass walls reflecting music and movement.

The bass hit my chest before we even stepped inside.

“This place is insane,” I muttered.

Sophie laughed. “Welcome to Odell Johnson’s world.”

Students were everywhere, laughing, drinking, dressed in designer clothes that probably cost more than my parents’ car. The air smelled like expensive perfume and alcohol. Music thumped loudly, and the pool area shimmered under neon lights, bodies pressed close together, moving as if nothing else mattered.

I suddenly felt very aware of myself.

My dress. My heels. My heartbeat.

“Relax,” Sophie said, leaning close so I could hear her. “You look amazing.”

I nodded, even though my palms were sweaty.

Then the energy shifted.

It was subtle at first, people straightening up, whispers traveling fast, heads turning in one direction.

“Is that—?” someone said.

“He’s here.”

My heart stopped.

I turned slowly.

And there he was.

Odell.

He walked in like he owned the night. Tall, broad shoulders, dressed effortlessly in black, confidence written into every step. People moved aside without him asking. Girls stared openly. Guys nodded at him with respect.

This wasn’t the boy I remembered.

This was power.

Then I saw her.

Isabella.

She was on his arm, stunning in a way that felt unreal, perfect hair, perfect skin, a smile that said she’d never doubted her place in the world. She leaned into him easily, possessively, as she belonged there.

Like she belonged to him.

My chest tightened painfully.

So it’s true.

I didn’t realize I’d stopped breathing until Sophie squeezed my hand. “You okay?”

“I… yeah,” I lied.

Odell laughed at something Isabella said. The sound hit me harder than I expected. I hadn’t heard him laugh like that in years.

Suddenly, his eyes lifted.

For half a second, they scanned the crowd.

Then they landed on me.

Everything froze.

His smile faded. His steps slowed.

Our eyes locked.

Shock flickered across his face, real, raw shock, followed by something I couldn’t name. Guilt? Fear? Desire?

“Odell?” Isabella said, noticing the change. “What’s wrong?”

He didn’t answer.

He was still staring at me.

My heart pounded so loudly I was sure everyone could hear it.

He took a step forward.

Then another.

Isabella frowned. “Who are you looking at?”

Odell finally tore his eyes away from mine. “I’ll be right back.”

He gently removed her hand from his arm and started walking toward me.

Every step he took made my pulse race faster.

My heart began to pound so hard I could feel it in my throat. Every step he took felt unreal, like the world was narrowing until it was just us.

Then suddenly, someone grabbed his arm.

I froze.

It was a guy.

Good-looking, tall, and confident. The kind of guy who didn’t look nervous standing beside Odell Johnson.

“Nice party,” the guy said casually. “Happy.”

Odell exhaled. “Thanks.”

“I need to talk to you,” the guy added. “Now.”

Odell hesitated. “There’s something I—”

“It can’t wait,” the guy cut in quietly.

Odell glanced past him and our eyes met again.

Something passed over his face, panic and conflict. Then he turned away.

He went with the guy.

I stood there, stunned, my chest tight with confusion. I looked back toward Isabella. She was laughing with her friends, dancing like nothing in the world could touch her.

Then I turned to Sophie who was already gone, tangled up with Ava, flirting, distracted, and happy.

No one was looking at me.

So I followed him.

They disappeared down a quieter hallway, away from the music. I stayed far enough behind not to be noticed, my pulse screaming in my ears. When they reached a door, the guy pushed it open and pulled Odell inside.

The door didn’t fully close.

I stopped, pressed against the wall, my breath shallow.

“What are you doing?” Odell asked sharply.

The guy’s voice softened. “I miss you. I’m tired of hiding.”

There was a pause.

“Tonight you walked in with Isabella,” he continued. “I know she’s your girlfriend. But what about me? Did you think about how that feels?”

My heart skipped.

“I love you,” the guy said. “I want to stop pretending you don’t exist to me.”

Odell sighed. “Myles, you need to calm down. You know the agreement we made.”

“What agreement?” Myles snapped. “That I stay invisible?”

“You know I can’t let people know,” Odell said. “You said you understood. I thought we had an understanding. What is all this? Chill, bro.”

Myles laughed bitterly. “So now I’m just your ‘bro,’ right?”

Odell’s voice dropped. “Don’t do this.”

“But when it’s just us,” Myles continued, anger shaking his words, “when you’re holding me, when you’re kissing me, then I’m not just your bro, am I?”

My stomach dropped.

“Stop,” Odell said sharply. “Have you been drinking?”

“I can’t stop,” Myles replied. “I’m crazy about you.”

There was a sound, a movement.

Then silence.

And then—

I saw it.

Myles grabbed Odell’s face and kissed him.

My breath left my body all at once.

“No…,” I screamed without meaning to. My voice echoed louder than I wanted.

The door flew open.

Odell turned and saw me standing there.

My mouth hung open. My body felt frozen, shattered, hollow all at once.

His face drained of color.

And in that moment, staring at each other across the truth…

Everything broke.