LOGINALVIN Josh had her in his arms before I could even take a step forward. I stood completely frozen at the back of the crowd, watching him lift her off the ground effortlessly. Viana wrapped her arms tightly around his neck and buried her face entirely into his shoulder, hiding away from everyone. The crowd closed around them instantly, whispering and murmuring as they followed Josh toward the parking lot. I was left standing there on the edge of the field, staring at the space where she had just been lying. My chest felt incredibly tight, and a familiar, suffocating panic started rising up my throat. I needed to get to her. I needed to see if she was okay. I started moving forward, pushing past a few people to follow them, but someone firmly grabbed my arm, pulling me back. “Let them go, Alvin. She has more than enough people fussing over her right now,” Marissa said, her voice droppin
VIANA“You look so cute in that blue bikini.” Emily complimented me and I smiled. She looked just as gorgeous in her yellow bikini and I had let her know that over a hundred times on our way here from her place.Josh saw her and waved us over to where he was. Emily wasted no time in running into his open arms and kissing him on the face.I tried to put on a normal face at their public display of affection and smiled as some people greeted me as we walked by but the second my eyes scanned the crowd, I froze.Not too far from the bonfire, Alvin and Marissa were walking together. They were talking, and then Marissa said something that made Alvin let out a short laugh. He looked completely relaxed, like he didn't have a single care in the world.A pang of jealousy hit me and it felt like someone had shoved a fist into my stomach and twisted.Just yesterday, he was looking at me with so much hatred, and now he was out here laughing with Marissa. It wasn't fair.“Ugh, look at Marissa glued
ALVINThe sound of my skates slicing into the ice echoed through the empty rink. I slammed the hockey puck against the boards, retrieved it, and took another hard shot at the net.It went straight into the top corner. A perfect goal. But it did absolutely nothing to erase the burning anger in my chest.We were done with dry land training since the rink was under maintenance and the coach wanted us to sprint more to increase our agility and speed. Now that the rink was up and running, we could begin actual practice for the season on ice.I skated back to the blue line, dragged another puck toward me, and hit it even harder. I didn't care that practice had ended an hour ago. I didn't care that my muscles were screaming at me to stop. I just needed to keep moving so I wouldn't have to think about her.But it wasn't working. Every time I closed my eyes, the image of Vance leaning in on those bleachers flashed in my mind. I saw him pressing his lips against Viana’s and worse that she just
VIANAThe power had been out for over an hour, leaving the entire house pitch black. I was stuck down in the basement, holding a flashlight for my mom while she dragged old boxes out from under the shelves.Benson had asked her earlier if she had any photos from when she was younger, and she had been obsessed with finding one ever since. She wouldn't stop until she got exactly what he wanted.I hated being down here. The air was thick with dust, but mostly, I just couldn't handle being alone with my own thoughts.My mind kept going back to yesterday and every single word Alvin said to me was repeating on a loop in my head.We’re done, Viana. As far as I’m concerned, you’re just a stranger that I live with.Every time I pictured the cold, dead look in his eyes, a sharp pain shot through my chest. I could barely breathe. The breakup was tearing me apart, and the fact that I had to hide how terrified and miserable I was made it ten times worse. I was completely distracted by the pain.Co
VIANAThe moment Vance’s lips pressed against mine, a jolt of panic snapped me out of my trance.I shoved his chest with all the strength I could muster, stumbling backwards against the next row of the bleachers. My heart was pounding so hard against my ribs I thought it might burst right through my chest.“Vance, stop!” I stammered, my voice shaking as I frantically wiped my mouth with the back of my hand. “What are you—no. No, I can’t do this.”Vance blinked, looking more confused than offended. He took a step toward me, his hands raised in a calming gesture. “Viana, wait. Relax. I thought we were having a moment here. You were crying, and I was there to help. Don’t tell me you didn’t feel that connection.”“There is no connection!” I said, my voice rising as I shook my head. I felt a cold sweat breaking out on the back of my neck. “I’m not interested, Vance. Seriously. I only came out here to be alone. I shouldn't have said anything to you.”Vance frowned, his jaw tightening slight
VIANAI spent the entire drive to school practising my facial expressions in the reflection of the cab window. By the time I walked through the front gates, I had a bright, completely fake smile plastered on my face.It felt tight and unnatural, but I forced myself to keep it up. I couldn't let anyone see how terrified I actually was.During the break before lunch, I met up with Emily at her locker. She was practically vibrating with excitement, waving a neon-colored flyer in my face.“We are throwing a beach party this weekend, and you are absolutely not allowed to say no,” Emily declared, slamming her locker door shut. “Josh is funding the entire thing. He bought way too many snacks and drinks, and he’s even renting out one of those huge sound systems. It’s going to be massive.” “A beach party?” I managed to say, keeping my voice light and cheerful. “Sounds fun.” “It’s going to be more than fun, it’s going to be legendary,” Kevin said, suddenly appearing right next to us and put







