chapter 3

Maeve.

Before I could interpret what was going on, Nicholas pulled away and crashed his lips onto mine in a kiss. He kissed me hard, like someone who had been starved—like he had been dying to do it.

Damn, I kissed him back. My fingers dug deep into his hair while he held my cheeks.

We explored each other’s lips, savoring the sweetness, moaning and panting into each other’s mouths.

Nicholas pulled away instantly, like he had just come to his senses.

There was a heavy silence between us, a silence filled with unspoken words. My heart slammed hard against my chest.

Fuck. What did we just do?

Nicholas looked like he wanted to say something. Several times, his lips parted slightly, only for him to change his mind. Throughout it all, his eyes remained fixed on the road.

I swallowed hard, trying to keep myself together. I wanted to say something—anything but the words refused to come.

Without a word, Nicholas tightened his grip on the steering wheel and continued driving.

The tension inside the car was suffocating.

The rest of the drive passed in agonizing silence.

When we finally reached the school premises, Nicholas pulled into the garage and parked. Before I could gather my thoughts, he was already out of the car, walking as if he couldn't get away from me fast enough.

I climbed out of the car and hurried after him.

Nicholas was already heading toward the school building.

"Nicholas!" I called, frustration lacing my voice.

One minute he was kissing me. The next, he was acting like I didn't even exist.

He halted mid-step before slowly turning around. His blue eyes bored into mine, making my pulse stumble.

For a moment, he just stared at me, his expression unreadable.

"Don't act like you know me at school. Maeve."

The words landed like a slap.

A bitter scoff escaped my lips. I laughed at myself, more than anything, my hands curling into tight fists at my sides. My tongue were tied while he walked off. I stood there for a moment before heading inside the school building.

I walked down the Arts Department hallway, my mind in complete shambles.

I didn't understand what was going on in Nicholas's head.

What the heck was his problem?

He was acting so strange. He had changed so much, and not to mention the kiss and everything that happened in the car.

I was still trying to process it.

One minute he was looking at me like I was the only thing that mattered. The next minute he was telling me to know my place and act like strangers.

None of it made sense.

I tightened my grip on my bag and let out a frustrated sigh.

.

My phone buzzed in my hand, turned out to be a message from Rue.

(Maeve! Where are you? Don't tell me you're skipping classes because of the idea I gave you. How did it go? Did you do it? Girl I need details!)

A small smile tugged at my lips.

Just then, someone covered my eyes from behind.

“Rue!” I exclaimed, instinctively grabbing my things. She was the only person I could think of.

I turned slightly, trying to see who it was.

“Tada!” Philip said excitedly.

My expression dropped instantly. What the heck.

“What the heck,” I hissed under my breath.

I tried to walk away, but he gripped my wrist.

“Maeve, Maeve, wait. Why are you in such a hurry? We need to talk. You didn’t even say goodbye to me this morning. you just disappeared. I woke up and couldn't find you.

I let out a scoff. He was unbelievable.

“I was supposed to say goodbye to you, Philip?”

“We are not breaking up, don’t you understand?” he said slowly. Since students were passing through the hallway, he lowered his voice, not wanting to look like a couple arguing.

He turned slightly, spotting an empty classroom across from us.

“Why don’t we go in there and talk?” he suggested, gesturing toward it.

“I’m not”

Before I could finish, he gripped my wrist again and pulled me into the classroom.

“Look, Maeve. If you don’t want the open relationship, let me do it. We can still stay together. You know I still care about you. Last night, I was just high on emotions, and I wanted to wait until I could get myself together before getting intimate with you. I wanted it to be something special,” he said confidently.

I shook my head.

Boys will always be boys. Trying to manipulate me, huh.

“Philip, just quit it. It’s fine. I was hurt, but hearing you say this right now is even crazier. And I’m starting to wonder why I ignored all the red flags in the first place,” I hissed, trying to walk away again.

Philip pulled me back, pinning me against the wall. His expression shifted this time, more serious.

“Stop acting up, Maeve,” he said, leaning in to kiss me.

I turned my head away.

“Maeve! Stop it. Weren’t you begging for it last night? Now stay still… I know you want it.”

I scoffed. Philip was crazy.

He tried to lean in again while I pushed against his chest, but then a voice cut through the tension.

“What the heck is going on here?”

Philip quickly pulled back, giving space between us. I turned my head and froze.

It was Nicholas.

“Maeve…” he called, his voice low.

Philip looked between both of us.

“What the heck is going on here?” he asked again, sharper this time.

“Nicholas,” I muttered.

“What the fuck, Maeve? Who is he?” Philip gritted his teeth.

I swallowed hard and stepped toward Nicholas without thinking.

“And who the heck are you?” Nicholas asked, his tone stern and dangerously calm.

Philip scoffed, running a hand through his hair.

“I knew it. You were always a whore, Maeve. You acted like you didn’t want an open relationship, but you were already cheating.”

Before I could react, Nicholas pulled me behind him, his hand gripping my waist. My heart skipped damn it, it always did.

“She can start it with me,” he said, voice low, firm, and commanding.