LOGINVera's POV My heart skipped a beat as she pointed right at it.Oh no. My hand shot up to cover my neck. I should have checked the mirror before leaving. I should have worn a polo shirt, but it wouldn't have matched today's vibe. I forced out a small laugh and looked away."It's probably an insect bite."Queen went quiet. Then a slow smirk crept across her face. "Yeah." She leaned in closer. "That must have been a really big insect.""A big insect.""A very big one."I rubbed the back of my neck. "Maybe."She laughed under her breath, then waved down the attendant passing by. "One more cup, please.""Okay, ma'am." The attendant handed her another cup.I eyes the drink in her hand. "It's getting late. We should think about heading home."Queen took a gulp and wiped her lips with the back of her hand. "Relax, Vera. the hickey is fading already, I just happened to notice it because I have a keen eye."My brows stayed slightly furrowed. She obviously doesn't believe me. She smiled. "It's
Vera's POVShe nodded. "I forgot to tell you. Sorry."I gave her forehead a little tap, trying to scold her. "How could you forget your own birthday? I could have brought you a gift.""You can make this part of the gift." She pushed her lower lip out in a pout.I narrowed my eyes at her. "You really don't like losing, do you?"She nodded frantically. "Yes."I took a small breath and let my shoulders drop. "Okay then."A wide smile lit up her face, and both her thumbs shot up. "You're the best.""Pick the song."Her smile grew even wider. "The harder, the better," I reminded her."Let me see." She pressed a finger against her lips and studied the screen. "Dance Monkey." She tapped the song."Selected," the automated voice announced.Queen grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the dance machine. It had two separate platforms, each with its own screen and arrows marked on the floor showing where our feet needed to go. The arrows would light up one after another, following the beat.We ste
Vera's POV"Vera."Queen called my name the moment I stepped out of the car. Her hand found mine right away, and she hooked our fingers together, that same bubbly smile spreading across her face."I almost thought I had the wrong car."I let out a small laugh. "How did you know I was in that car?"Liam stepped on the brake for a second, then drove off.Queen's eyes followed the car as it pulled away, and before I could think about it too much, I asked her again."How did you know I was in there?""I was waiting by the entrance since you texted me you'd already arrived." She shrugged like it was obvious. "I didn't see you walk in, so I figured you were still inside. Plus, that was the only car parked out front.""Oh." That was all I could manage to say.We walked into the arcade together, and my eyes immediately started sweeping across the huge room. It was packed with people. The sound of different machines beeped and buzzed around us, blending with loud music, laughter, and the occas
Vera's POVI moved forward, my hand moving fast to grab my phone from his hand.As I snatched the phone from him, the last ring died and the screen went quiet. My head moved to look at Liam, already towering on his feet, looking down at me with obvious jealousy in his eyes."Chill Liam, I am going out with Queen."His face remained passive, like he didn't know who I was talking about."You know her right? The girl in my class that I walk with almost all the time."His brows raised up. He lifted his hand and placed it at the side of my cheek. "You are going on that friendship date with Queen right?""Yes." I nodded my head."I believe you." He said in a low voice, his features going soft.Then he dipped his head lower to match my height, and pressed his lips on mine, his other hand landing on my waist. The kiss was slow. I felt his hand slide lower, down to my ass, and stay there.I wanted more. My hand moved to grab the back of his neck to pull him closer but he gave my butt one last
Vera's POVI tapped on the message, and it opened the chat app. It was from Queen.A small smile came to my lips, and I started typing back right away.[Like right now?]Her reply came almost the same second.[No silly, tomorrow. We should have our first friendship date.]Friendship date.I stared at those words for a few seconds, then a slow smile spread across my face.[I like this. Where should we go?][We should go have fun at an arcade. You didn't come to school on Friday, so we have a lot of catching up to do, dear friend.]My smile grew even wider. An arcade. It had been a long time since I went somewhere just to have fun, with nothing else on my mind.[Okay, which arcade and what time?][10am. There's a nice arcade on Maple Street. Let's go there.]I nodded to myself as I typed back.[Got it. See you tomorrow.][Goodnight, Vera.]I dropped my phone beside me and cuddled closer to Liam, his gentle breath filling the ro. His warmth wrapped around me right away. Ohh, I enjoy bei
Vera's POVRing. Ring.That was the sound of the call I had placed across to Peter, waiting for him to pick up. This was the third time I was calling him."Pick up, Peter." I said as I rubbed the back of my neck, my fingers pressing into the tight muscle there."Sorry, the person you are trying to call is not answering the phone." The automated voice said, and then the call dropped."Great." I groaned as my hand dropped beside me. Then a thought crossed my mind. "I should send him a message."Immediately I opened the message app, tapping on the messages he had sent earlier. My eyes scanned through them.[You are ten minutes late but I am still waiting my pretty princess.][Hey, Vera. Coming already?][Not coming anymore?][I have been trying to reach you princess, I am still waiting.]My eyes read the messages again, there were a ton of them but I read the last bit of them. Then I swiped down my notification bar and checked why my phone hadn't rung out."Ohh shoot, I had put my phone
Vera's POV"Yes, I am."I replied before I even thought about the words I said."Welcome." She said, still with that warm smile on her face.She stepped aside to give me enough space to enter.I walked into the office."Off you go to class, Liam." I heard her say the words behind me.I didn't look
Vera's POV His head snapped toward me just for a second. Then he looked back at the road. He held the steering wheel so tight I was sure the poor thing might break. "I just asked you a question." His jaw moved, and that was it. No words, no explanation… nothing. Like I wasn't in the same space w
Vera's POV I stood still, the glass of water frozen in my hand. What the heck? "I should be the one asking you that." He said with his eyes carrying suspicion. My eyes went wide as I stared at him across the kitchen counter. The same guy from last night. The same guy whose lips had pressed aga
Vera's POV "I saw him with a new girl, Anita." My eyes would not leave Andrea across the crowded party hall. A blonde girl was sitting on his lap while he whispered something into her ear that made her laugh very loudly. My chest hurt badly. After I lost my dad in a fire accident when I was fourte







