Eleven years ago…Drake hadn’t spoken to me since the incident with the mayor. He had been quiet the past few days, and not even our classmate could talk to him. He was distant from Jason too, and my brother knew he shouldn’t bother him. I had the urge to approach him since I thought we’d finally become close, but I didn’t want to make anything worse, so I kept my mouth shut.The bell rang after the PE class while Arianna and I went to the girls’ locker to change.“Do you think Drake is okay?” Jenny abruptly asked, interrupting our current conversation.My senses were automatically on high alert after hearing his name.Arianna glanced at Jenny, then pulled her t-shirt off her head. I continued peeling off my tops, trying not to let my curiosity show.“Drake Mallory is transferring to his rightful class if that’s what you’re talking about.” Peach, our class president, joined in. “I’m sure he’ll be fine.”“What do you mean?” Mae asked.“I mean, he’ll be a senior starting next week,” Pea

Brandon isn’t on his side of the bed when I wake up. He isn’t anywhere in the penthouse, either. The restlessness I feel heightens more from last night’s conversation, knowing it ended in a complete misunderstanding.He would misinterpret everything. That was a given, I admit it. I can’t tell him everything because I’m afraid of losing him.He’d think I’m dirty if he knew about Drake and me. I’m not proud of what I did, especially if it concerns Drake.Leaving only a small note on the breakfast tray, I know Brandon has already left for New York before I even look at the notice."Don’t stay out late"I crumple the paper and toss it away. I’m not upset that Brandon left me a message on a note, but I’m mad at myself. I could’ve tried to talk to him more when I felt the bed move last night. I wasn’t able to sleep. I should have been more open.I just couldn’t.I’m such a coward.And he even prepared breakfast for me. I was supposed to do this for him.Crying, I eat the food on the tray. I

“You didn’t have to go through that by yourself. As you have said, it’s all in the past. I think it’s time to tell your boyfriend. He doesn’t really love you if he leaves you because of this. Don’t you think so?” Rexy says positively, and her gaze doesn’t falter. She looks at me like everything is completely normal.Brandon loves me. I know that for sure.“Or maybe I’m afraid because I’m ashamed of what we did. I’m ashamed that I’m not good enough for him.”“That’s a lack of self-confidence coming from you, Alayna,” Dennis remarks. “And you are not that type of person.” He gives me a half-smile.Rexy hooks her arm around my shoulder. “You know, I was shocked, but it’s okay. You were the victim here.”I guess it wouldn’t be that bad if I’d be honest. If my friends could be open-minded about my past, Brandon could do the same, right? He always had before. Why would he stop now?“That’s—” I inhale plenty of air, “—reassuring.”“We all need a friend sometimes. You can’t keep something lik

“So, care to tell me what’s going on?” she asks as Jason walks away from us.“I’ve never shared this with anyone before.” I press my lips. “I can’t even see myself recalling that nightmare, so I wanted to tell Brandon first.”Her shoulders relax, and she touches my face. “It’s okay. How about you tell me about your unfortunate reunion with Drake?”“It was… a disaster.” I give in. “He paraded himself in front of Brandon, and he showed up today, and he will again, I’m sure. He’s not going to stop, A.”“He’s obsessed with you, I know. We didn’t know what was going on, but there wasn’t a day that passed that he didn’t mention you.” Her face turned concerned. “At first, I thought he just loved you so much, until Chris noticed something was wrong. He hurt you, Laynie. That was one thing Jason and I knew, but I didn’t know there was more to it, whatever it was.”And I hate that after everything the devil did to me, whenever he was near, I found myself submitting. “I don’t know how Brandon wi

Arianna has already set the table when we come to the kitchen. We prepared an entire course of French dinner tonight since I assumed everyone wanted something else. I’ve always cooked Italian at the restaurant, and I’d always love to try something new.Brandon quietly sits at the head of the table, and I settle on his right side, so I’ll be close to the prep area and if he wants me to get something else.I ask Arianna to sit with me because I don’t wish to be more awkward, and having her here and Casey makes me feel less anxious.We silently start putting food on our plates and then begin the feast. It also doesn’t help the tension with Arianna since she sits across from Cassius, so I opened up a subject.“Guys, um, how’s the dinner?” I ask.“Delicious as always.” Ollie smiles at me as he chews, then takes another bite. “And you’ve improved even more.”“We made seventeen percent more of our monthly proceeds in the restaurant, Ollie,” I inform proudly. “And more patrons for us.”“Wow.”