Aand that's how I found myself at a restaurant with Jin despite my numerous protests. And numerous they were. The sunny side diner had a sleek, minimalist design yet still managed to remain chic and contemporary dining. The restaurantâs exterior was a blend of glass and steel, with large windows that showcase the vibrant interior. Low, ambient lighting casted a warm glow over polished wooden floors and high-backed leather chairs of the booth we seated at.I just sat there with my hands crossed shooting glares at Jin despite agreeing to the whole thing. "You look cute when you pout," Jin complimented while my face caught fire. "Don't just say random things you don't mean," I said through gritted teeth even while my face remained uncontrollably hot. Jin's perfectly sculpted eyebrows furrowed just the slightest. "And you know I don't mean it how?""W-well I mean..it's obvious isn't it? You're just flattering me..""And you think that because..?""Because," I started harshly but my t
Turns out the chemistry pop quiz I missed on Monday was actually ten percent of our grade. Just my luck right?But the class rep informed us after homeroom that there was going to be a make-up test for it just after lunch for those of us who missed it. Mr Manners is really the nicest.This time though, I have to be in the right headspace. Surprisingly, it hasn't really been that hard to do..Theo's been less annoying all day. All week if I'm being honest. Not that I'm complaining. I think it started after school on Tuesday, after this man came to talk to him. Who the man was he never said but he's been pretty restrained since then. "Hey Cora, you don't mind if I join you, right? Thanks!" A familiar blonde plops down next to me. This doesn't feel familiar at all. "Yeah of course Hailey. Go ahead." Unfortunately (fortunately?) she didn't seem to notice my sarcasm. "Hi Cole, Theo," Hailey waved instead towards them. "Hi," Cole greeted back, while Theo acknowledged her presence wit
Theo's POV I get awakened from my peaceful Monday morning nap by the sound of loud voices. I rubbed the sleep out of my eyes trying to look for the source of the noise which just happened to be in front of the class. A student slammed his hand on a nearby desk, effectively bringing me out of my stupor. "Threw it all away, huh? You don't think this counts as 'throwing it all away'?" I can't believe I'm getting disturbed by this. "It doesn't have to be," a familiar voice said quietly. Wait..is that Cora? What's she doing here? He reached out for Cora's arm and held it. "You're right. It doesn't have to be..you could still say yes." "Tony..you're hurting me." Tony..? Isn't that the guy who had a problem with me the other day? More importantly..did she just say he's hurting her? I got the answer to that question pretty quickly. From my vantage point, I could see the tight grip he had on her hand. Normally I don't like interfering with people when they're having
I blinked awake, wincing at the filtered light coming in through the window. I tried to sit up but a hand pushed me back down. My head hurt and my throat was so dry it felt like I'd been in the desert for weeks without water. "Hey sleepy head. You're finally awake," Hailey smiled at me, handing me a glass of water, which I drank eagerly. "Hey..slowly now," Hailey cautioned after I started coughing."What happened?" I croaked. "Where are we?"Hailey furrowed her eyebrows. "You don't remember? You fell. We're in the infirmary, "Hailey handed me my glasses.The room in the infirmary featured a single examination bed, covered with a clean, disposable sheet. The walls are painted in soft, calming colors and adorned with educational posters that were meant to be soothing.Bits and pieces started coming back to me. "I fainted..in the chemistry lab."Hailey nodded. "So I heard. We were in the art studio when we heard a commotion over at the lab adjacent to us, so we went to check it out.
The snowstorm outside had painted the windows with thick layers of frost, muffling the world beyond, a stark contrast to the swirling chaos outside. Theo stood at the door looking ethereally resplendent amongst the snow. He'd worn a black turtleneck and dark wash pants with a grey suit jacket. I finally dragged my eyes up to his deep blue ones, which seemed..concerned? A flurry of snowflakes swirling around him as he stood there, bundled against the storm. "Cora," Theo's voice was a soft echo in the frosty air, concern etched in the lines of his face. "Can I come in?" I nodded, stepping back to allow him entry. I watched as he brushed snow from his jacket, the tension in the room palpable. We stood facing each other, words hanging unspoken between us like icicles ready to shatter. "I had to come after what happened," Theo finally broke the silence, his voice low but steady. "Are you okay?" "Yeah," I replied, my voice barely a whisper. "Just...dealing with the fallout." Theo's e
I had a light bulb moment when I thought, 'hey, these two are here because of me right? If I can just find some other common ground, something that can these two occupied so they won't be at the other's throat, won't that be great?'But all thoughts of settling this tension went over my head the moment I stood up. An intense, debilitating pounding headache overtook me, and my hand flew over my mouth as an overwhelmingly nauseating feeling passed through me, making me regret my decision to have dinner at all.Theo stop up, reaching out but not quite touching me. "H-hey, are you good?""She's fine," Jin retorted from his position, still seated. "She's not some damsel you need to rescue you know?" He turned to me, "Right, Cora?"I couldn't even bring myself to reply. My limbs felt flaccid like my body wanted nothing more than to crumple to the floor. Which would be two times too many. And the last thing I want is to look weak. Through a miracle or the sheer force of my will, I made it
The soft glow of morning filtered through frosted windows, casting a serene light across my room as I stirred from my sleep, my mind gradually clearing from the haze of the previous night's migraine.As I blinked awake, the faint scent of pine needles and cinnamon wafted through the air, reminders of the holiday season. My gaze drifted to her bedside clock.It was still early, the sun barely cresting over the horizon. Winter break meant no rush to get ready for school, a rare luxury I cherished. Yet, the events of the previous evening lingered in my thoughts. I eased myself out of bed, careful not to disturb the peace that enveloped my room for some reason. As I took a quick shower, I tried to recall what happened after the 'temporary truce' between Theo and Jin last night but it felt like waking up from a dream. The more you get awake, the less you remember.Padding across the floor, I wrapped herself in a cozy sweater against the chill. Downstairs, the aroma of freshly brewed coff
The morning sun filtered through the curtains, casting a gentle glow across my room as I lay awake, grappling with the whirlwind of emotions stirred up by Jinâs unexpected kiss. My mind replayed the moment over and over, dissecting every sensation, every fleeting thought that had passed through me in those fleeting seconds. It was my first kissâa supposed tender gesture tinged with confusion and surprise. I rolled over, my gaze drifting to the small clock on my nightstand. The day stretched ahead, uncertain and filled with unanswered questions. Should I confront Jin about what happened? How would I face Jin after this unexpected turn of events? And why do I feel so unsettled by Jinâs nonchalant demeanor after that intimate moment? And more importantly, why do I have to deal with such a shitty curve ball in our friendship (relationship?) so soon?! As much as I didn't want to admit it, I liked having Jin around. It was easy being with him. I didn't find myself over thinking a
Monday mornings werenât supposed to feel this good. But as I stepped into the school courtyard, the crisp morning air and the warmth of the sun on my skin made it feel likeâfor onceâthis week might not completely suck. Because for once, the weight of the world wasnât pressing down on my shoulders. The weekend had been⊠nice. Good, even.Until it wasnât.Because there, right near the entrance of the main building, was Ashley.Ashley, Theoâs⊠well, I didnât actually know what she was to Theo. But she was definitely something. Something stunning, something confident, something infuriatingly attached to himâliterally, if the way she was holding onto his arm was anything to go by.And just like that, all the work Iâd done over the weekend, the balance Iâd built in my mind, came crumbling down with her very presence.It was laughable, really. She didnât even live around here, let alone go to our school, which meant whatever she was saying to Theo could have easily been a text. But instead,
The soft glow of early morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, painting streaks of gold across the bed. The room was quiet, save for the faint rustling of the sheets and the rhythmic sound of his breathing. I wasnât sure how long Iâd been awake, but it had been long enough to justâŠwatch him.Theo.His head rested on my lap, his golden hair catching the light, turning almost ethereal. The faint rise and fall of his chest, the slow flutter of his lashes as he dreamedâit was the calmest Iâd ever seen him. A stark contrast to the restless way he had slept last night.His legs were tangled with mine, his body warm against me, like he had unconsciously sought me out even in sleep. Every now and then, he shifted slightly, rubbing against me as if searching for somethingâlike a cat craving attention. A part of me wondered if he would stay this way forever if I didnât move.It wasnât the first time Iâd wondered what he was dreaming of.I wished I could see into his mind, unravel whate
The drive to Theoâs place was quiet. Not awkwardâjust filled with the kind of silence that said everything words couldnât. Cole didnât push, and I was grateful for that.By the time we arrived, the house was dimly lit, its towering structure standing against the night sky like something out of a painting. Theo answered the door surprisingly fast, as if heâd been waiting for something. Or someone.His damp hair clung to his forehead, the dark strands curling slightly at the ends. He wore a simple black T-shirt and gray sweatpants, a look so effortlessly casual that it was unfair. His eyes flickered over me, a crease forming between his brows.âWhat happened?â Theo asked, his voice sharp with concern.I blinked. âNothing.âHe didnât look convinced.Cole leaned against the doorway, sipping from a bottle of soda like he was watching a rom-com unfold. âShe just really wanted to see you,â he drawled, winking at me.I felt my face heat. âThatâs notâââDonât scare her off, Cole,â Theo muttere
I spent the entire day trying not to think about what happened last night. It was a pointless effort. My mind kept circling back to itâevery word, every expression, the way Theo looked at me, the way I walked away from him. The way he let me. It was a mess, and I hated how much I couldnât stop thinking about it.I stared at my phone screen, ignoring the text from Hailey asking about last night. She was probably expecting a play-by-play, but I didnât know how to answer. I still didnât know what to feel.Then, there was a knock at my door, and I knew instantly who it was. Hailey, of course. I opened it, and she waltzed in like she owned the place.âSpill,â she demanded. âSo, who are we shipping you with now? Jin or Theo?âI raised an eyebrow. âIâm glad my âlove lifeâ is so amusing to you.âShe just shrugged, her eyes dancing with mischief. âHey, at least youâre giving me content. So, what happened last night?âI'm telling you, she has a talent for sniffing out drama like a bloodhound.â
I barely have the chance to breathe before Hailey starts her interrogation.âSoâŠâ she started, dragging out the word as we walked out of Jinâs apartment building. âYou and Jin, huh?âI sighed. âDonât start.ââOh, Iâve already started,â she says, grinning. âThat man literally lifted you up and twirled you around like you were in a rom-com. And you let him! Which means something.ââI was just being friendly,â I muttered, staring straight ahead.âRight, and Iâm the Queen of England.â Hailey smirked. âYou shouldâve seen your face when you saw him, Cora. You practically lit up.âI scoffed. âI did not.ââDid too,â she sang. Then, in a more dramatic voice, she clutches her chest. ââOh Jin, youâre back! Your hair! Your smile! I feel whole again!ââI shoved her lightly. âShut up.âShe laughed but didn't let up. âSo, are you gonna tell me how you feel about him? Or are we pretending this doesnât exist?âI hesitated. Because the truth is⊠I donât know. Seeing Jin again did make me happy. And hea
Chapter 51His lips brush against mine, soft at first. Almost hesitant.Then, like something clicking into place, the hesitation disappears. His fingers tilt my chin, deepening the kiss, pulling me closerâso close I can feel the warmth radiating off him, wrapping around me like a second skin.My heart pounds in sync with his. I can feel it.I can taste it.Theo.I donât want it to end. I want to stay here forever.A harsh beam of sunlight pierces through my window, dragging me out of the dream like a riptide. My eyes snap open, my breath coming in shallow gasps as I stare up at the ceiling, disoriented.For a few blissful seconds, Iâm still there. In the guest room. In his arms.And then reality comes crashing down.The room around me is cold, empty. My bed untouched on one side. My phone sits on the nightstand, screen dark and silent.No messages.No missed calls.Nothing.I exhale, forcing myself to sit up even as a sinking feeling settles in my chest. Itâs been days since that nigh
The room seemed to blur around me the moment I saw her.Cora stood at the top of the staircase, the soft glow of the chandelier casting a warm light over her, catching the silk of her dress in a way that made it shimmer. But it wasnât just the dress. It was the way she held herself, the way she hesitated for only a second before stepping forward.My pulse stuttered.I had spent the last week trying to push her out of my headâout of my thoughts, out of my goddamn system. It was easier when she was just Cora in her usual jeans and oversized hoodies, when she was quiet but sharp-tongued, when she looked at me like I was nothing more than an inconvenience she had to tolerate.But this? This was something else entirely.I wasnât sure how long I stood there, watching her, my hands clenched at my sides.Cora met my gaze briefly, then looked down at her dress, like she wasnât sure if it suited her. That small, uncertain movement made something tighten in my chest.She didnât know.She had no
I woke up feeling⊠warm. Not just warmâcomforted. Held. My brain was sluggish, unwilling to process anything beyond the cozy sensation spreading through my chest. My fingers curled against soft fabric, and I buried my face deeper intoâwait. Fabric?My eyes snapped open, and I instantly regretted it. The sunlight filtering through my window hit me like a hammer, and for a moment, I had no idea where I was.Then it all came flooding back. Theo. The argument. The apology. The tears.And now, Theoâs arm was still draped around me, his chest rising and falling against my back, his breath warm against the top of my head.My heart jumped to my throat. I tilted my head ever so slightly, trying to sneak a glance at him without waking him. But of course, Theo Thorsen was already awake. His blue eyes met mine, amusement dancing in them as if heâd been waiting for this moment.âGood morning,â he said softly, his voice husky with sleep.I tried to push away from him, my face heating up, but his ar
Even after a week, the house still felt bigger than I imagined. Or maybe it just felt that way because it was mineâor at least, it was supposed to be. Each step I took echoed slightly, the sound of my own presence making me feel smaller somehow. The furniture was sleek but not flashy, the kind of understated elegance that whispered money. Theo's influence was everywhere, even in the smallest details. My eyes landed on a low shelf near the window, in what was supposed to be my study, and my heart stopped for a moment. Books. Not just any booksâmy books. The entire series Iâd once mentioned offhandedly during one of our teasing arguments about taste in literature. Theo had remembered. I crouched to touch the spines, running my fingers over the titles. What did it mean, really? That he listened? That he cared? Or that he simply didnât know how to set boundaries when it came to fixing things he thought were brokenâlike me. I sighed, trying to push the thoughts to the back of my mind,