LOGINNicole’s POVThe local coffee shop had always been our sanctuary. It was a cozy, familiar little place nestled just a few blocks away from the main university gates, filled with the comforting hum of the espresso machine, the gentle, rhythmic clinking of ceramic mugs, and the rich, heavy aroma of roasted coffee beans. Usually, the moment I stepped through the door, the ambient warmth and the soft indie acoustic music playing from the ceiling speakers would instantly wash away whatever academic stress I had been carrying. It was the one place where the rest of the world felt like it could wait.But today, the pleasant, bustling atmosphere of the café felt like a stark, almost mocking contrast to the heavy cloud of tension hanging directly over our small wooden table by the corner window.Bella was visibly sulking.She sat stiffly across from me, her jaw set into a firm, rigid line as she aggressively swirled the plastic straw of her iced latte. The ice cubes clattered loudly and sharpl
Nicole’s POVThe walk from the campus parking lot to the social sciences building felt different that morning.It was the first day back to my regular schedule after the weekend, and the air carried a strange, heavy energy.Usually, I was invisible. I was just another student dragging her feet toward a morning lecture, coffee in one hand and a heavy textbook in the other.Not today.As I crossed the threshold into the bustling main corridor, the usual background hum of the university, the rustle of flyers, the heavy thud of backpacks, the echoing chatter seemed to hit a sudden dip the moment I walked past.People were looking. Not just glancing to see who opened the door, but actually staring.I gripped the strap of my bag a little tighter, keeping my eyes fixed straight ahead.The whispers followed me down the hallway like a low grade static.Word traveled fast on a campus this size, but I hadn’t realized just how fast until I stepped into the economics lecture hall.The room was alr
Zach’s POVNicole lay curled against me, skin flushed and glowing, her breath still coming in soft little pants. I held her close, one arm wrapped around her waist, the other stroking slowly up and down her back. My body was still buzzing from the first round, but it wasn’t nearly enough. Not after weeks apart. Not with Kade howling inside my chest like a caged beast.I shoved him down hard, locking him behind mental walls, while focusing my gaze on Nicole.She tilted her head up and smiled at me, that soft, trusting smile that made my heart clench. “You’re still hard,” she whispered, pressing her thigh against me teasingly.I chuckled, low and rough. “Can’t help it. You do this to me.”I rolled us so she was underneath me again, bracing my weight on my forearms. Her legs parted naturally, letting me settle between them. I kissed her slowly this time, deep, lingering kisses that tasted like everything I’d missed. She sighed into my mouth, her hands sliding up my back, nails grazing l
Nicole Before I could even process the surprise, Bella came sprinting out from the crowd, her party hat tilted sideways as she threw her arms around me, nearly knocking me off my feet."Did we get you or did we get you?!" she squealed into my ear, laughing hysterically as she pulled back to shower me with a handful of glittering silver confetti. "You can thank your boy over there! He contacted us days ago to coordinate the whole thing!"I looked over at Zach, who was casually leaning against the door frame, his hands slipped into his pockets and a deeply satisfied, boyish grin playing on his lips. I couldn't even find my voice to speak, I just shook my head in pure disbelief, a massive, emotional smile stretching across my face. He had been planning this the entire time he was away, working behind the scenes with my friends while letting me believe he was just doing routine wardrobe cleaning thousands of miles away."Come on, birthday girl, don't just stand by the door!" Killian ca
NicoleA sharp, involuntary scream tore from my throat, echoing loudly through the hallway. I didn't care if I woke up every single student on the entire floor. My backpack slipped from my shoulder, tumbling to the carpet along with my keys, but I didn't even glance down.It was Zach.He was actually standing right there, leaning against my apartment door frame in a casual jacket, a soft, familiar smirk playing on his lips as he watched my jaw drop. The digital screen from our FaceTime call earlier was completely gone, replaced by his real, solid presence. Before he could even say a word, I launched myself forward, my feet moving on pure instinct. I threw my arms tightly around his neck, burying my face into the crook of his shoulder as the absolute reality of him hit me all at once.Zach caught me instantly, his strong arms wrapping around my waist and lifting my feet completely off the ground for a second. He held me so tightly against his chest that I could feel the rapid, steady t
NicoleThe relief that washed over me in the days following that disastrous dinner was almost palpable. I had spent forty-eight hours bracing myself for a barrage of angry text messages, defensive phone calls, or worse, Marcus showing up at my campus building to demand a second chance. But to my immense surprise, my phone remained completely silent. No notifications, no spammed calls, no extra gestures. He had simply gone cold turkey. It seemed my final words at the restaurant had actually done the trick, and I was incredibly grateful that he hadn't tried to pressure me into changing my mind or drag out an uncomfortable situation. I could finally walk across the track field without constantly looking over my shoulder."Oh my gosh, Nicole, are you even listening to me?!"A sharp, high-pitched squeal shattered my train of thought, dragging me abruptly back to reality. I blinked, focusing on Bella, who was practically vibrating with excitement across our shared library table. She had aba
Nicole’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 smir
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 b
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
Nicole’s Pov Marcus remained quiet, his dark eyes locked directly onto mine. He was looking at me with the exact same intense expression he had worn when he first walked into the venue. The same heavy stare that had drawn my attention from across the crowded room. That stubborn silence made me fee







