"I never knew what love was until I met you." I looked up. "Stop joking around like that." Theo's deep blue eyes bore into mine. "Who says I'm joking?" *** In the shadow of her prodigious twin brother and the periphery of neglectful parents, high school senior Cora Kinsley navigates her world alone. Her life takes a turn when Theodore Thorsen, a mysterious and wealthy new student, arrives at school.Constantly thrown together, Theodore's stoic demeanor clashes with Cora's reserved nature, sparking a complex love-hate dynamic between them. Amidst their turbulent relationship stands Jin, Cora's steadfast friend who offers support and challenges her perceptions of love and friendship. Is Theodore the key to helping Cora break free from her isolation? And what secrets lie behind his captivating exterior and enigmatic personality? And as Cora navigates these questions, will Jin's presence becomes crucial in shaping her choices and understanding of true connection?
View MoreI felt sick. Not as in a cold, sick. No, this was something else. A sickness that started somewhere deeper, gnawing at my stomach, tightening my chest. Something more... emotional. No. I couldn’t even call it that because I didn’t–couldn't admit that I felt anything.I wasn’t supposed to care. I wasn’t supposed to feel anything about Catty flirting with Theo. He wasn’t ‘mine’ to feel anything about. But the look on his face, the way he didn’t push her away, didn’t tell her to stop, made something inside me twist in a way I didn’t want to acknowledge.It's sort of frustrating because Theo isn’t even..I'm not even supposed to be having thoughts this way relating to him. Right now, he’s just doing his part of the plan.And Catty? She’s my sister. She’s family. I should want to protect her, even when she’s awful to me, even when she lies. Isn’t that what sisters are supposed to do? So why do I feel this... sharpness in my chest, this burning under my skin every time I think about how clos
I woke up with a dull ache behind my eyes, the kind that came from thinking too hard for too long. I’d barely slept. The memory of yesterday, my outburst at Theo, replayed in her head on a loop. My heart clenched every time I remembered how I’d opened up—raw and exposed—before retreating as fast as I could.Now, sitting at the breakfast table, I picked at my cereal, barely registering the clink of my spoon against the bowl. How the hell was I supposed to face him today? Would things be awkward? I already knew the answer to that. Ugh. I pushed away the bowl of cereal. Would he even mention what happened, or would he act like nothing had changed?Part of me hoped for the latter. Part of me hated how much I cared.---I made my way into school with my head down, eyes focused on the cracks in the sidewalk. The usual hustle and bustle of the morning crowd buzzed around me, but my mind was miles away. I didn’t even notice Theo leaning against the school gate (why was he doing that anyway?
I sat at the kitchen table, my back straight, and my eyes fixed on the textbook in front of me. The house was quieter than usual, my parents moving around in their respective corners like the distant figures they always were. I could hear the faint murmur of her mom’s phone call from the next room, discussing something important about her job, while my dad was out in the backyard, watering the garden.Everything seemed... peaceful. Or at least, it should have been. But beneath the surface, I felt the strain of it all. Like a tightly wound cord that could snap at any time. My mom breezed into the room, glancing at the table where I had spread out my schoolwork. “I see you're really taking your studies seriously these days,” she said without much warmth. “As you should. Keep it up and make us proud like your brother, instead of whatever it was you used to do.”That was it. No nod of approval. No smile, no praise, just the confirmation that I was doing exactly what I should. As expect
My fingers fidgeted with the straps of her bag as she approached the café where Hailey had asked them to meet. I paused outside for a moment, exhaling a shaky breath. The bell above the café door chimed as I walked in, and my eyes quickly scanned the room. Hailey was already seated in a booth near the back, waving me over. Theo sat beside her, looking sinfully gorgeous and as always effortlessly composed, his eyes meeting mine as I walked over. My heart did an unfamiliar, traitorous flutter, and I reminded herself to breathe. I mean it's just Theo. Right?“Hey!” Hailey chirped, her eyes bright with excitement. “Come, sit! We’ve got so much to talk about.”I slid into the booth across from them, trying to act casual, though my mind was still racing. “So… what’s the big plan?” I asked, glancing between Hailey and Theo.Theo gave her a small nod, his calm presence both reassuring and nerve-wracking at the same time. Why was Theo here? Is he a part of this big plan Hailey came up with?
After the most fitful night of sleep ever, I woke up that morning with a sense of dread, you know, the kind that clings to you like a heavy blanket you can’t shake off. The house was quieter than usual, but not the comforting kind. It was the unsettling quiet that hinted something wasn’t right.Of course, I knew what wasn't right. After yesterday, how could I not?I dragged myself out of bed, while feeling profoundly weary, to try to get ready for school even though I felt like shutting myself in for like..ever. I sighed, rubbing the sleep out of my eyes, hoping the feeling would recede once I went downstairs and had a shit ton of coffee. Spoiler alert. It didn’t.Mom was already in the kitchen when I got there, a very rare occurrence, and her presence instantly sent a ripple of unease through me. She glanced at me while I was descending the stairs, sipping her coffee, her posture stiff as though bracing herself for a conversation I wasn’t ready for. To be honest, I would've turne
Catty’s POVThe house was finally quiet. I stood by the window in my room, my phone still in hand, relishing the success of my latest move. It had all gone so perfectly. Cora’s protests, my parents' stony expressions—it played out like a scene from a script I'd written.A smug smile curled at my lips. It was almost too easy. Cora never saw it coming, never even suspected I had been recording her that night.I dropped onto my bed, scrolling through my phone. Why should I feel bad? Cora had it coming. Ever since she’d gotten close to those two boys, she'd been acting all high and mighty. Sneaking them into the house like some kind of rebellious teen—as if she was someone important.But she wasn’t.Not like me.Deep down, there was always this nagging voice that whispered about how Cora wasn’t even trying, yet people still gravitated toward her. I, on the other hand, had spent years perfecting my image, always doing what was expected, always playing the role of the “perfect daughter.”"Y
The house was quiet, almost too quiet, as I sat on the edge of my bed, staring out the window at the blanket of snow covering the yard. I could feel the cold from the glass, but it was nothing compared to the chill inside me. Christmas Day—always a mixed bag for me—had come and gone. “Family time” meant being overshadowed by my siblings, especially by Catty. I’d tried to ignore the ache in my chest, but Corey’s arrival had briefly given me hope. Yet I still found myself holed up in my room while faint laughter floated from the living room downstairs, where Catty was undoubtedly entertaining my parents with some exaggerated story. I swallowed the familiar bitterness. At least I had Corey for a little while—before he rushed back to college earlier than planned, just before New Year's Day. Once he left, the house became a void again. I sighed, glancing at the small pile of gifts I’d received for Christmas. The presents felt more like an obligation than anything thoughtful. I ran a fing
The winter air was crisp with the promise of Christmas, and inside my household, the atmosphere buzzed with festive energy. Well everywhere but within myself that is. Me and Catty, were in the living room, unpacking boxes of ornaments and stringing lights around the mantelpiece whilst our parents flitted between the kitchen and the living room, their laughter mingling with the jolly tunes playing softly in the background.I carefully untangled a strand of lights, my mind drifting back to the upcoming holiday. It was supposed to be a time of joy and togetherness, yet I felt neither of these emotions. Times like these make me feel Corey's absence even stronger. Because right now I could have as well been invisible to my family.And adding Jin's conversation to the fray well..let's just say things weren't looking so..jolly for me. As I hung a golden bauble on the tree, Catty’s voice broke through my thoughts. “Are you sure you want to put that there? It looks better on the other side
The evening air buzzed with excitement as colorful lights illuminated the sprawling grounds of the holiday carnival. I stood at the entrance, hesitating. I had been..pretty much lost in my thoughts all week, and the idea of joining the festive atmosphere felt overwhelming. Beside me, Hailey nudged me playfully. "Come on, Cora," she insisted, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "You need a break from all that brooding. Let’s have some fun!" I tried to manage a faint smile, but I think it looked like a grimace. Not that I wasn't grateful for Hailey’s attempt to lift my spirits. "I don’t know," I murmured, glancing at the carnival's lively scene. "It's just... a lot." Hailey linked arms with me, pulling me gently towards the entrance. "Exactly why you need this," she declared. "A night of distractions and pure fun!" With a sigh, I relented, allowing herself to be drawn into the vibrant chaos of the carnival. Popcorn scents wafted through the air, and laughter mingled with the music.
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