All Chapters of Never Look Back Again: Chapter 1 - Chapter 9

At the end of the hallway, laughter slipped out through the crack in the door.The second I made out the words, I froze where I was standing."You're something else, Nathan. Using a rich heiress as practice? That's wild."Nathan Gildon laughed."Well, she was practically begging me to sleep with her. But she's had a crush on me for years, and I was her first. Guess that's a win for her."I got caught up in the romantic mood last night. She looked like she really wanted it, so… I helped her out."The room exploded in laughter.My nails dug deep into my palms, cold sweat soaking my hands. Every sweet word Nathan whispered in my ear last night now cut through my bones like blades.Footsteps came closer.I stumbled back, then bolted down the stairs, as if I was running for my life.Back home, my tears broke loose, and they streamed out faster than I could stop them.The shame, disgust, and fury I felt made my whole body tremble.Last night, I thought it was love. Today, I learn

Before bed, I ran a bath, wanting to scrub myself clean.But the second I took off my clothes, the bruises on my skin showed up, bluish and sharp against the light.And just like that, the memories from last night came rushing back.I still remembered the heat of Nathan's body pressed against mine and the way he whispered sweet words in my ear, making me believe every single one. It all echoed as if he were still right there.I kept scrubbing my skin until it turned red.As I was stuck in my misery, the phone rang, making me jump.I was scared it might be Nathan. I wasn't ready to face him.When I picked it up and saw Andrew's name, I let out a breath and steadied myself."Hey, Andrew."He sounded worried on the other end. "Charles said you came home and locked yourself in your room crying. What happened? Who hurt you? Tell me, and I'll deal with them."Hearing his concern broke me all over again, and my tears slipped out before I could stop them."I'm fine. I've decided tha

When Phoebe and I started traveling, I made sure to keep myself busy with packed schedules and new places—anything to stop me from overthinking.I didn't unblock Nathan like he asked. But Phoebe and a few of my other friends would sometimes update me on him anyway.Nathan, who used to be too lazy to post anything for months, was suddenly posting every single day.I didn't want to know where he and Claire were going. But somehow, my friends kept sending me updates on him.People asked why I wasn't with him. Everyone was used to seeing me by Nathan's side, so now, they seemed hesitant every time they brought him up.I could tell they suspected something between him and Claire. I mean, a guy and a girl traveling together? People talk. And Nathan wasn't even hiding it—Claire showed up in his posts, as if she belonged there.I told myself that I was fine and that it didn't matter. But every time I saw it, something inside me hurt, like a little stab to the heart.After all, he was so

This party was a complete nightmare for me.Nathan's mother, though, couldn't stop smiling when she saw me. She held onto my hand, as if I was family."College is starting soon. I told Nathan to take care of you there. If he ever dares to pick on you, just tell me. I'll make sure he gets what's coming!"She turned to Andrew as well. "Thank you for guiding Nathan in business. Without you, he'd still just be an ordinary student."Andrew looked a little awkward but kept the polite small talk going.Meanwhile, Claire stood off to the side, her smile stiff and her eyes dark.Then, out of nowhere, she jumped in. "Mrs. Gildon, don't worry. I'm going to a college in Redwood, too. I'll take good care of Nathan."Oh, did you know? Mavis didn't even apply to Redwood Business School. She got a full scholarship to Westwood Tech."The second the words left her mouth, Nathan's whole expression changed."Westwood Tech?" he snapped.Claire covered her mouth, acting as if she had misspoken. "W

It was a guy I had met through one of my campus clubs, a classmate from Barlandy named Elbert Cross.He was very good-looking—in certain angles, he even reminded me of a young Tom Cruise. But more than his looks, it was his personality that drew me in. He was cheerful and funny, always making me laugh until my stomach hurt.When I didn't immediately deny having someone in mind, my mother's eyes lit up, full of curiosity.I bit my lip and smiled, embarrassed. "Yeah, but we're not exactly dating yet."Hearing that, my bubbly mother didn't act awkward at all. She leaned in and kept asking about him, wanting to know everything.Nathan, sitting off to the side, suddenly went quiet.After a long pause, he finally spoke up. "Guys with a sweet tongue aren't always reliable. It's better to be with someone you really know."I nodded politely. "You're right. Sometimes you only see the surface of a person. I'll take my time and get to know him better."Then I added, "Thanks for the reminde