LOGINMila’s POV
The next couple of days went by quickly.At school, Axel acted like I was invisible. I’d pass him in the hallway, and he wouldn't even turn his head. He was always surrounded by football guys, or had Tiffany attached to his arm like a permanent accessory. She made it clear in more ways than one that they were an item. They were always locking lips in the hallway, or walking with their hands wrapped around each other.On Thursday, I walked into third-perioMila’s POVI peeled the soaked, see-through T-shirt off my skin, my hands shaking so badly I could barely pull it over my head. Every inch of my skin where Axel’s hand had been burned, like he had imprinted on my skin with his touch. I couldn’t forget Aaron’s lustful gaze either—it was permanently ingrained in my memory.I shoved the wet shirt deep into the bottom of my laundry hamper, grabbing the biggest and thickest oversized gray hoodie I owned. I threw it on over a pair of sweatpants, pulling the drawstring tight around my neck like armor.I heard the sound of light footsteps against the wooden floor outside my room, stopping right in front of my door."Mila, sweetie?" Carol’s soft voice called through the door. "I made some soup for dinner. Are you awake?"I squeezed my eyes shut, holding my breath and staying completely still by the edge of my bed."I think she's asleep, Mom," Aaron’s quiet voice echoed from the hallway.
Mila’s POVMy head was spinning so hard I thought I was going to throw up all over the locker room floor."Guys, I... I really don't feel good," I choked out, grabbing onto Paris’s forearm to steady myself. "I think I need to go to the nurse."Princess’s cheerful mood instantly evaporated, her brow furrowing in concern. "Oh my god, Mila, you look so pale! Come on, let's get you to the clinic."They walked me down the hall to the school nurse, who took one look at my clammy skin and shaking hands before calling Carol. Half an hour later, Carol was signing me out at the front desk, looking genuinely worried.The ride home was quiet until Carol pulled into our driveway. She put the car in park, turned off the ignition, and looked at me sideways."Are you feeling any better?" she asked softly. "What kind of symptoms are we talking about here? Is it a migraine, or...""Just cramps," I lied, keeping my eyes fixed on my lap. "S
Mila’s POVI was doubled over the wooden railing of the side porch, my knuckles white against the dark wood as my stomach heaved."Hey, hey—easy," Paris said softly, stepping in immediately to rub broad, reassuring circles into my back, keeping my hair pulled away from my face."I'm sorry," I sobbed out between dry heaves, tears trickling down my cheeks as the shame washed over me. "Paris, I'm so sorry—""Stop apologizing, you idiot, you're fine," he murmured.I heard the sound of hurrying footsteps approach us, and a second later, Aaron appeared out of the shadows. His face was pale, his eyes wide with pure panic as he took in the state of me."Mila!" he gasped, rushing straight to me. He reached out, his hand instantly finding the back of my neck, his touch warm against my clammy skin. "Hey, look at me. Are you okay? What happened?""She drank way too much, I think," Paris answered.Without a second thought, A
Mila’s POVParis slowly pulled open the back door, to the music blaring from inside the house. I didn’t remember whose house we were at—Paris had learned about the party through some senior at school, and I’d just tagged along because I needed to be anywhere but home. The air inside was stuffy and smelled like stale alcohol. The house was packed shoulder-to-shoulder with people from school."I’m going to find the bathroom," Princess shouted over the music, fanning her face as she disappeared into the hallway crowd. "Don't move!" her eyes narrowed at I and Paris.“Okay, okay…” Paris muttered, raising his hands in surrender.The moment Princess moved away, Paris turned to me. “I’ve got to go say hi to Trevor. Don’t get lost…”“Paris—” But he was already hurrying off before I could protest.I let out a loud sigh. I was standing near the kitchen counter, shifting my weight from foot to foot. I needed to get away from the boys. Things
Mila’s POVI held my breath as Aaron hovered over me, his shadow completely blocking out the morning sun.My heart was hammering so violently against my ribs I was sure he could hear it. I couldn't move. I couldn't even think. My eyes were locked on him, tracking the subtle shift of his jaw and the movement of his throat as he swallowed. That was when his scent washed over me—an overpowering hint of cedar. I was too dumbfounded to say anything, too frozen to even think about pushing him away.Then his lips touched mine.His lips were soft against mine. At first, he lightly brushed his lips against mine, sending a shudder down my spine. Then he kissed me—a delicate, light kiss. He tasted like the sweet strawberry syrup from the breakfast platter we'd just shared.I was sprawled across the mat, unmoving, my brain too slow to process anything.When he pulled back, my lungs frantically tried to remember how to function. My chest heav
Aaron’s POVI knocked on her bedroom door, my fingers drumming against the wood. I was just raising my hand to knock again when the door pulled open.Instantly, a smile spread across my face.Mila stood in the doorway, and for a second, I couldn't help the way my eyes locked onto hers. They were this striking, impossibly bright shade of blue. It reminded me of standing on my favorite beach in the peak of summer, staring straight up at an endless blue sky.Then my eyes drifted down. She had on a fitted tank top, and the swell of her cleavage caught me off guard. Down further, she was wearing a pair of tiny denim bum shorts that showed off her legs. I mentally forced myself to look back up, clearing my throat before my eyes lingered any longer than they should have."Hey," I said, holding up the rolled-up woven mat in one hand and a heavy basket in the other. "House is completely empty with Mom and Dad out of town for the weekend. How about







