LOGINWren’s povI was already moving before I'd fully decided to, drink sloshing in my hand, the music pounding in my ears. I made it three steps toward the exit before I turned right back around and pushed through the crowd toward him instead.Theo's eyes widened the second he spotted me, surprise and something like an alarm crossing his face. “Wren…”I didn't let him finish. I tipped my drink straight over the girl's head, watching it splash down through her hair and onto her shoulder, her shriek cutting through the noise around us.“We just got together,” I said, voice shaking with something between fury and tears, “and you're already cheating on me?”“Wren, it's not what you…”I was already turning, already walking, weaving fast through the crowd with my eyes stinging. Behind me I heard him apologizing rapidly to the girl, then his footsteps coming after me, calling my name over the music.I made it outside into the cool night air before he caught up, his hand closing around my arm.“W
Wren’s povMy alarm went off like it had a personal vendetta against me, and in my attempt to slap it into silence, I forgot the distance between my hand and the nightstand and ended up on the floor instead, tangled in my own sheet.I stayed there. The floor wasn't so bad, really.The door opened a moment later. “Are you dead?” Ross's voice was far too amused. “Possibly.”“Get up.” He crossed the room and hauled me upright by both arms like I weighed nothing, setting me back on my feet. “We're going out today.”“I have plans already.”“You have no excuse. You already promised me.”“I genuinely don't recall promising you anything.”He folded his arms and stared at me, unmoving. I stared back. Neither of us blinked for an uncomfortably long stretch of time.I caved first. “Fine. Fine! What did I supposedly promise?”“You'll see.”“That's not an answer.”“It's the only one you're getting.” He grinned. “Get ready.”I rubbed my eyes and asked, “Where's the wench?”“Are we talking about Emi
Wren povTheo didn't let go of my arm until we were outside, the cafeteria noise fading behind us, swallowed up by the wind and the wide grey sky.“Where are we going?” I asked.“You'll see.” He guided me toward the car park, his hand steady at my elbow like he thought I might bolt or fall apart, possibly both. “Get in.”I got in.He drove without saying much, just glancing at me every so often like he was checking I hadn't dissolved into the seat. The radio played low, something instrumental.The ice cream place had more flavors than I knew what to do with, a whole wall of tubs behind glass, and Theo stood there studying them like he was choosing stocks.“Pistachio,” he finally said to the girl behind the counter. “And whatever she wants. Two scoops, her choice.”“Cookies and cream,” I said. “And the strawberry.”We sat outside on a bench with our cones, and the evening had gone soft and golden in that particular way it did right before the sun started its real descent. Theo finished
Dani’s POVI couldn't focus on a single word the lecturer said.You already know the answer to that question. Wren's voice kept looping in my head. I stared at my notebook without writing anything in it.Behind me, a few rows back, Emily was giggling with her new circle of friends. I didn't turn around.The second class ended, I shoved my notes into my bag and pushed out of the lecture hall faster than I should have, my head still aching faintly if I moved too quickly. I scanned the hallway but I didn’t see who I was looking for.I spotted Ryan instead, leaning against a pillar near the stairwell, scrolling through his phone.“Did you see Wren?” I asked, already out of breath.Ryan glanced up. “No. Why, you miss her?”“I think I really messed up.” I dragged a hand through my hair. “I think I've actually fallen for her, and I don't know how to fix what I did.”“Keep an eye on Emily,” Ryan said, not even looking up from his phone, like it was the most obvious advice in the world.“I thi
Wren’s POVI woke up to Anna already dressed, sitting cross-legged on her bed scrolling through her phone.“You're taking forever,” she said without looking up.“I'm moving at a completely normal speed.” I pulled my sweater over my head and grabbed my bag. “Some of us actually need to brush our hair.”“Some of us also need to not be late.” She was already at the door, keys in hand, tapping her foot with theatrical impatience.We walked onto campus together, and the first thing I saw was Emily, surrounded by a cluster of girls near the steps, laughing at something with her head tipped back like she was performing it for an audience. I looked away before she could catch my eye.Then I saw Ross, already crossing the courtyard toward us with his hands in his pockets.“Morning,” he said, falling into step beside me. “How'd you sleep?”“Terribly.” I rubbed my eyes. “Anna snores like a freight train.”“I do not,” Anna said immediately, indignant.“You absolutely do.”Ross wasn't looking at m
Wren’s pov“You're still the same manwhore you've always been,” I said. “Not one thing about you has changed.”Emily's mouth opened, some response already forming.“And Dani doesn't even like you,” I added, before she could get a word out. “So you can stop being delusional about whatever this is.”She drew a breath, sharp and ready…The door opened. Ross leaned out into the corridor. “He's done. You can come in.”Emily's expression smoothed over instantly. She walked past me into the room, bumping her shoulder into mine hard enough that I had to catch myself against the wall.Ross caught it. His eyes went from her retreating to my face, one eyebrow lifting slightly. Everything okay?I shook my head. Nothing happened. Not worth it.He didn't look convinced, but he let it go, and we both followed her inside.Dani was sitting on the edge of the bed, dressed now in the joggers and the t-shirt I'd brought, looking more like himself than he had in days. Emily was already perched in the chai
Dani’s POVShe ran.One second she was right there, water dripping from her lashes, cheeks flushed and her lips parted like she wanted to say something, and then Ross came downstairs and broke whatever spell that had settled over us, and then she bolted. Climbed to it and wrapped her towel around h
Wren’s POVI opened the bathroom door and stepped out, my damp hair falling softly around my shoulders. The steam followed me into the hallway for just a second before dissolving.The apartment smelled warm and alive. Fresh coffee. Something sweet is sizzling on the stove. Cinnamon, maybe. My stoma
Wren’s POVI woke slowly, pulled from sleep by something warm and solid pressed against my back. For a hazy moment I stayed still. An arm wrapped tight around my waist, possessively. Then I felt it, something hard poking against me. My eyes snapped open.Memories flooded back fast. The basement. Bl
Dani’s POVThe police light buzzed above my head. My wrists burned under the tight cuffs. Ryan stood like a statue beside me, jaw clenched.Then the double doors burst open. Elena marched in first. Our stepmom radiated authority in her tailored coat. Fredrick, her husband followed. I stared at them







