تسجيل الدخولNicole’s Pov The weeks following the fire breakout felt like a strange transition into a completely different reality. Almost overnight, my entire existence at school flipped on its head. The relentless whispering in the hallways, the nasty anonymous notes shoved into my locker, and the cruel smirks from the popular girls just stopped. The bullying reduced so drastically it was almost unsettling.It wasn't that everyone suddenly realized they were being horrible human beings and decided to be nice. No, it was something entirely different. It felt like I was suddenly surrounded by an invisible, protective wall. I was now respected, and honestly, somewhat feared. No one dared to talk to me anymore, let alone throw insults my way, because everyone knew exactly who was standing right behind me.Killian and I had become really good friends. True to his word, he stayed by my side, acting as a constant shield against the school drama. The ice between us had fully melted. I wished I had just
Nicole’s Pov Bella practically forced me into her car and drove me straight back to our apartment. She wouldn't let me out of her sight, hovering over me like a frantic bodyguard. The second we walked through the front door, she ran into the bathroom to draw a hot bath, throwing in some lavender bath salts to help clear the smell of smoke from my skin.I sank into the warm water, letting the heat soak into my aching muscles. My chest still felt a little tight, but the mask the paramedics gave me had done its job. As the water washed away the soot and ash, my mind kept drifting right back to the burning cafeteria. To the firm, terrifyingly secure grip that had pulled me out of the dark.When I finally stepped out, wrapped in a thick, oversized hoodie and sweatpants, Bella was waiting in the kitchen with a mug of chamomile tea. I sat down on the couch, curling my legs up, and took a slow sip."Bella," I started quietly, staring into the swirling tea. "I still can't get over what happen
Nicole’s Pov "A billionaire?" I repeated, my eyebrows knitting together as I twirled my fork in my salad. "Like, an actual billionaire? Why would someone with that much money be visiting a random college campus?"Bella rolled her eyes, taking a huge bite of her sandwich. "Exactly! I mean, I don't really understand why there’s such a massive fuss about it. The entire hallway was practically vibrating this morning. You’d think royalty was coming to town or something."I let out a soft, cynical chuckle, leaning my chin on my hand. "Honestly, it’s not that shocking, Bella. You know how the girls around here are. They are so incredibly fond of falling all over any guy who happens to be rich and popular. Give a guy a fancy car and a bank account with too many zeros, and suddenly he’s a god. It’s definitely not a new thing.""True," Bella agreed, shaking her head. "It's just exhausting to listen to. I had to sit through three girls in the bathroom debating whether he prefers blondes or brun
NicoleThe shrill ring of my phone broke the heavy silence of my bedroom, making me realize it was morning.It was Zach."Hey," I said, sliding the answer bar, a smile already tugging at the corners of my lips."Hey yourself," Zach’s voice came through the speaker, "I know I literally just spoke to you last night, but I’m sitting here at my desk and I swear the room feels ten times emptier without you. I’m missing you like crazy already, Nicole."I let out a soft laugh, leaning back against my pillows and twisting a loose thread from my blanket around my finger. "Missing me already? Zach. Don’t you think it’s a little too soon to be getting all dramatic on me?""Hey, true art knows no timeline," he teased, and I could practically hear the boyish grin on his face. "Besides, can you blame me? Time moves at a glacial pace when you're not around to laugh at my terrible jokes.""They really are terrible," I agreed, a genuine giggle escaping me.For the next hour, we talked about absolutely
Nicole’s POV“You still there?” he asked, voice deeper than before.“Yeah,” I whispered. A soft chuckle rumbled through the line. “Good. Now go inside, baby. Lock the door. I want to know you’re safe.”The protectiveness in his voice made heat bloom low in my stomach. I stood up and walked into the building, climbing the stairs to my apartment while we talked. Once I was inside and the door was locked, I kicked off my shoes and collapsed onto my bed.“Done,” I told him. “All locked in.”“Good girl.”Those two words sent a shiver down my spine. I bit my lip, suddenly very aware of how empty the apartment was. Bella was still out with friends.“Zach…” I hesitated, then decided to be brave. “I missed you. Not just talking. I missed your hands. The way you touch me.”He inhaled sharply. “Fuck, Nicole. You can’t say things like that when I’m this far away.”“Why not?” I asked, my voice dropping. “I’ve been thinking about the patio every night. About how you felt inside me. How hard you tr
Nicole’s POVThe campus felt both familiar and strange at the same time. I clutched the strap of my bag tighter as I walked toward my first lecture hall, trying to ignore the nervous flutter in my stomach. Being back at school after everything that happened felt like stepping back into a cage I thought I’d escaped.I kept my head down, hoping to just get through the day quietly. Attend classes, take notes, go home. That was the plan. No drama. No drama at all.My phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out and a small smile tugged at my lips before I could stop it. He finally texted. He wasn’t ghosting me after all. Zach: Good luck on your first day back, beautiful. You’ve got this. Miss you already.After days of silence, this little text felt like a lifeline. I typed back quickly.Me: Thank you. I needed this ️I was still smiling down at the screen when a voice I really didn’t want to hear cut through my thoughts.“Nicole.”I froze. Killian.I didn’t even look up. I just turned and
Zach It had been a long, grueling week. I and Jack had been hunting rogues, one after another, each hunt lead fizzling out like a candle flame that couldn’t stay lit after another. It was easy to get exhausted over it. The rogues didn’t follow any particular kind of order, they did not ha
Nicole The glass shattered into a hundred tiny pieces, scattering across the floor like confetti. I wasn’t upset—not really. Small accidents like this had become routine. “Oh my… Leah! Are you alright?” I asked, moving quickly to scan her hands and feet for cuts as I bent down. “I’m fi
Nicole The room was quiet, save for the faint hum of the ceiling fan right above me, and the very audible chirping of birds that permeated the room. I stirred awake, feeling the weight of sleep lifting slowly from my body. My mind was clearer than before, I didn’t feel like my chest was b
Nicole.. When I opened my eyes, the world I saw in front of me looked like it had been painted anew with a brush soft, blurred strokes. The sun's yellow light sipped into the room, through the curtains, signaling that it was morning. And the cold air kissed my face, causing me to come awa







