Semua Bab Never Mine To Love: Bab 1 - Bab 10

River’s POV“Good morning, I'll be your new professor since the previous one taking you on this course has been laid off” His voice brought my eyes to the man who stood in front of the podium to address the student. The blonde slicked hair, those sky like blue eyes, sharp jawline and most of all, the muscular build. Two years didn't do him any justice, it only made him more attractive.And when his eyes found mine and a knowing smirk appeared on his face, it pulled me back. Back to when I had silly teenage dreams, of loving him and being loved by him.Back to seventeen…..Growing up, everyone knew: if you were looking for me and I wasn’t home, I was at Elliot’s. His house wasn’t just a second home; it was my real home half the time.And honestly, I liked it better. His parents were divorced, his mom off living her best life in Italy, and his dad, Dr. Daniel Wellington, well… he was a masterpiece. The kind of man you couldn't help but notice, even if you were just a kid chasing frog

River’s POVI knew it the moment I walked into class.His eyes were on me again.I could feel them, like a lion stalking his prey. I kept my eyes glued to my notebook, pretending not to notice. Pretending not to care.Over the past week, I had avoided him like my life depended on it. Sitting at the far end of the classroom, slipping out as soon as the lectures ended, skipping the optional office hours he somehow kept holding for "extra credit." It was exhausting, pretending Daniel Wellington wasn’t even there, but it was the only way I knew how to survive.It was supposed to get easier.It didn’t.Today, it got worse."Alright, everyone," Professor Greene announced, pushing her glasses up the bridge of her nose as she came forward from the line of professors that entered the class. "The department has assigned each of you a mentor for the semester. You’ll be working closely with them for your final project."She started calling names, pairing students off with faculty professors. I w

River’s POVThe sun was already up when I opened my eyes.But I didn’t feel rested.I didn’t even remember falling asleep.The sheets were warm around me, but my chest felt cold. Empty.Daniel wasn’t in bed anymore. I could hear movement from somewhere else in the house — the quiet clink of a cup, the soft sound of water from the kitchen sink.I stared at the ceiling, trying to feel something.Anything.But I felt confused.Everything from last night rushed back like a wave crashing into me. His touch. His mouth. His hands on my skin. The way we didn’t speak when it was over. The way he looked at me like I was something he shouldn’t want.I sat up slowly, wrapping the sheet around my waist.I didn’t know what I was supposed to say now.“Thanks for the sex?”“Sorry we crossed every line?”“Should we act like strangers again?”I hated how quiet it was.Like we were both afraid to face it.Like silence would make it disappear.I got up and pulled on my clothes from the night before. My h

River’s POVI was halfway through wiping down the kitchen counter again, when my phone buzzed.Noah: soccer practice. 5pm. community field. don’t make that “I’m busy being sad and hot” excuse.I rolled my eyes and dropped the sponge into the sink.Me? Sad and hot?Well. Maybe just sad.The house was too quiet. Like it knew Ethan was gone.I looked around. The bookshelf was missing his comic book collection. The kitchen didn’t smell like his awful burnt popcorn. Even the couch cushion he always sat on had a weird dent I couldn’t fluff away.I had cleaned everything twice already. Maybe three times. The dishes. The bathroom mirror. I even dusted the top of the fridge. I’d never done that in my life.I sighed and leaned against the counter.There wasn’t anything left to clean.And nothing left to say.I walked into the living room. That one photo frame still sat on the shelf. The one from the beach last fall—me and Ethan, both sunburnt and smiling. I stared at it for a long time, thumb b

Daniel’s POV The airport was loud like it always was. Horns. Engines. Rolling suitcases. A baby crying in the distance. The automatic doors opened and closed every few seconds, letting in cold air from outside. I stood beside the car, leaning on the door with my hands in my coat pockets. My eyes moved through the crowd. People rushed by—some excited, some tired, all heading somewhere. Then I saw him. Elliot. He walked through the doors with a suitcase dragging behind him and a wide grin on his face. He looked older than when I saw him last. Taller maybe. Or maybe just more grown-up. But he wasn’t alone. Beside him was a girl. She was small and soft-looking. Her black curls bounced gently as she walked. She wore a pale green coat that looked too thin for the weather, but she didn’t seem cold. Her smile was quiet. Her eyes were dark and warm. She didn’t talk much as they walked, but she looked around with curiosity, like everything was worth noticing. They reached me, and Ellio