All Chapters of A Yearning Beyond Years: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

Stacey’s POV: “He what!?” Chloe’s voice echoed through the phone.“Yup, that’s pretty much what happened so far.” I answered.I was updating Chloe about Michael's sudden whirlwind confession, and she just couldn’t believe it. If we were being honest, had I not been the one living it, I wouldn’t have believed it either.“So he did all of that so he can get to you?” She questioned.“Yes. He really wants something serious here, Chlo, what should I do?” I asked her, grabbing the towel I had thrown on the floor after bathing. I hung it and started packing some papers on the study table.“I mean, coming from your reaction, it seems to me that you don’t feel the same,” Chloe commented from the other end. “Even though this seems like the perfect scene where the heroine with massive denial issues falls for the guy that has been stalking her.” A laugh escaped my lips. “Yeah, maybe if this was you and he was Joe Goldberg.”I heard her giggle. “True. Joe is really cute.” I mentally rolled my e

Stacey’s POV:“Gather up, everyone,” the coach stated as we all gathered in the stadium. “Today is our last day here, so we’ve decided to mark it by all going out to see the city one last time.” The entire place erupted in cheers. I couldn’t help but smile at their enthusiasm. My eyes skimmed through everyone until I caught a glimpse of him.He was surrounded by his friends all cheering, but his eyes were set on me. He didn’t even flinch, just gave me a knowing smile and turned.For some reason that seemed to scare me.“Okay, so I have a brochure and a wallet filled with the school’s money. We leave in five minutes.” Coach announced, and with that, we all dispersed.I found Michael sitting in the bleachers, so I decided to go sit next to him. “Someone doesn’t seem like he’s ready to have fun.” I nudged him a little by the side.He chuckled, a low, sad sound. “Yeah, just not my morning, I guess.” I felt bad that I was responsible for making him this way. “Oh, come on, let’s show the

Stacey’s POV:I waited until the final voices had receded from the dining room, until the hotel itself seemed to exhale into silence. My heart was pounding so loudly that I knew someone would be able to hear it. I bolted back to my room, shed my rigid dinner clothes, and crawled into the first things I could find: loose sweatpants and a loose crop top that left my stomach bare. It wasn't sexy. It wasn't supposed to be. I just had to move to breathe.I cracked the door and peeked both ways down the hall—clear and good. I slipped out, my heart racing against my chest, every step swift and quiet. When I reached Noah's room, I found that it was already open. I’m not even going to ask how on earth you knew where his room was. No hesitation. No time to think. I slipped in and closed it softly behind me in one motion.And then… shit!.Noah stood there. Virtually naked, only a towel clutched precariously low around his hips, holding on to his buttocks. Water sparkled on his skin, small d

Stacey’s POV:“Heyy, I’m home.” I yelled out, tossing my shoes as I closed the door behind me. Soon I saw Tessa running towards me.“Mummy, you’re home!!” She jumped on me, squeezing my waist. I carried her up, kissing her forehead.“Sweetie, how was school?” Just then, Chloe came in behind her with a smirk on her face.“You’re late today. Anything exciting happen?” I looked at Chloe, giving her a warning look, hoping she got the message.“Tessa, why don’t you go play?” I dropped her down, and she ran back to her room.Chloe slowly walked to the kitchen, grabbing a soda from the fridge. “You’re glowing,” she said, taking a sip. “Like, suspiciously glowing. That post-kiss glow? Or maybe it’s the ‘I just saw him without his shirt on’ glow?”I rolled my eyes and walked past her toward the sink, pretending to be busy rinsing out a mug. “Don’t start.”“I’m just saying,” she went on, her tone cheesy now. “You’re all smiley and floaty. You were basically humming when you came in. That’s not

Stacey's POV:The city lights blurred as I sped through the night, my hands gripping the wheel tighter than necessary. I was late. Late to see Noah. Late to ease the guilt clawing at my chest. I could still feel his blood on me. Even after three showers, I swore it was still there. The rusty crimson hue haunted my palms. He bled for me. He almost died for me.A honk jerked me back to reality. I blinked, realized I’d missed a red light, and forced myself to breathe. Inhale. Exhale. I had to pull it together. I had to be strong, for Noah. I glanced at the flowers lying on the passenger seat beside me, petals trembling with each bump in the road. Would he like them? Would he even want to see me?He shouldn’t be lying in a hospital bed. He should be out there on the court, practicing his shots, laughing with teammates, and preparing for the interstate championship. Not nursing bruises and a bullet graze because he chose to protect me. I should be the one in pain. Not him. Never him.I par