Nathan snickers at her.“Mac n’ Cheese?” He chuckles. “I can make other stuff, ya know! Steak, burgers-”“But I like Mac n’ Cheese,” Halsey murmurs, feeling crestfallen. It’s a simple dish but she loves anything with cheese in it, especially Mac n’ Cheese.“Fine!” Nathan groans. He was planning to cook something elaborate for her but he is puzzled by her simple request. Taking out a pan, he boils some water and starts to cook. Halsey watches him in wonder, her eyes gaping at his hidden talent.“You never said you like to cook!” She frowns. “I cook for myself most of the time,” he shrugs. “What about the maids or servants?” Halsey inquires. Surely a mansion that big should have a few household staff, right?“There aren’t any,” Nathan reveals. “It’s just me. I’ve been cooking since I was twelve.”Halsey is surprised. He’s been cooking all along? Why?“What about your dad? Does he cook?”Nathan’s jaw hardens at the mention of his dad. Halsey doesn’t understand why he’s so cold towards

The car ride is tense. Halsey is sitting in the back seat while Nathan and his father are at the front. She can sense the tension between the men which keeps on increasing with every second. Nathan keeps on glancing at her through the rearview mirror as if making sure that she’s safe back there.He doesn’t trust his father one bit and he’s sure that Daniel is trying to think of a way to hurt Halsey, if not today then in the future. “So, Halsey,” Daniel begins. “How long have you been dating my son?”“Uh…today was our first date,” Halsey mumbles.“Is he treating you right?”“Yes, he is.”&ldq

“Hales, you look lost!” Lincoln’s voice brings Halsey out of her reverie. She’s startled and gapes at him. They’re at the library where Lincoln was talking but Halsey is barely paying attention. “The captaincy is gonna be announced today!” He exclaims. “Aren’t you excited for me?” “Oh, yes!” Halsey smiles. “I’m really happy for you.” She’s sincere with her words. Seeing Lincoln happy makes her happy as well but Nathan’s actions are still bothering her. Ever since he admitted his withdrawal to her, she can’t help thinking if she’s responsible for his decision. She tried to ask him during their date last night but he avoided the topic. “It’s gonna feel so good to see the smirk being wiped off of Jacobs’ face!” Lincoln claims. “I know how badly he wants this but the rest of the team isn’t happy with him, especially after he got himself kicked out before the interstate championship. They blame him for the loss.” “But he wasn’t even there,” Halsey frowns. “Doesn’t matter. He was su

The players are scattered all over the basketball court. Nathan is dribbling the ball all the way towards the opposite end but one of the opponents blocks his way. He swerves around to dodge the player and aims for the hoop. Taking a position, he shoots.Lincoln jumps forward and furiously slaps the ball away. It’s a regular practice match and the Eagles have been divided into two teams where Nathan is leading one team while Lincoln is leading the other. Another opponent jumps forward to take the ball but Nathan manages to snatch it and passes it to his teammate. The player dribbles the ball forward and passes it to another teammate but Lincoln suddenly appears, elbowing the player hard. The player falls to the ground while Lincoln takes the ball to dribble.“Foul!” Nathan calls. Nelson also notices the foul and blows on his whistle. “Penalty shot!” Nelson announces. Lincoln looks furious and glares at Nathan. The latter ignores him and takes the penalty shot. The other players gath

A long silence ensues. Halsey is nervous while Lincoln tries to process her revelation. Charlotte approaches her son. “I’m sorry you had to find out this way,” she says gently. “But Halsey is really happy and she didn’t want to hurt you either. So she was waiting for the right time to tell you-” “You knew?” Lincoln whispers. “You knew about this?” Charlotte purses her lips. Halsey isn’t sure why but her hands are shaking and she recalls how Lincoln hit her with the ball when he was angry. Then she shrugs the thought away. That was an accident, she tells herself. He won’t hurt any of us. Lincoln doesn’t say anything for a while. For a moment, Charlotte and Halsey are relieved but in the next second, he picks up a glass and smashes it against a wall. Both the women are shocked and startled. Lincoln’s eyes are filled with a fury which they’ve never seen before. Even Charlotte is scared of her son’s reaction and she instinctively reaches out for Halsey as if shielding her. “You two