The Supernova Effect

Chapter 8

Nova

Daisuke had texted me eleven times since this morning.

Three apologies.

Two "please answer."

One paragraph so long I refused to open it out of spite.

And somehow, that annoyed me more.

Downstairs, music played softly through the house while my parents cooked Sunday dinner together.

Their lighthearted bickering over seasoning was basically their version of quality time — a family tradition at this point.

Normally the familiar noise would've comforted me.

Today it just gave me too much time to think.

About this morning.

About his mother.

The doorbell rang downstairs just before I could scream into my pillow.

I sighed dramatically and pushed myself off the bed.

"I got it," I called out, heading downstairs before my parents could start yelling my name from the kitchen.

I pulled the front door open expecting literally anyone else.

Instead—

Daisuke stood there holding my bag.

For a second neither of us spoke.

The tension settled instantly.

His hair looked slightly damp like he'd showered recently.
All black fit, like usual.

"Hey," he said carefully.

My expression flattened immediately.

"What are you doing here?"

"You left this." He lifted my bag slightly.

"Oh."

I took it from him quickly.

"Thanks."

I started closing the door.

His hand caught it before it could shut completely.

"Nova, wait."

I looked up at him again reluctantly.

"Can I please explain?"

I almost laughed at that.

"I think your mother already handled the explaining."

His jaw tightened instantly.

"It's not what you think."

Before I could answer, my mom's voice carried down the hallway.

"Nova, who's at the—"

She appeared beside me mid-sentence.

Then gasped dramatically.

"Daisuke?"

His entire demeanor shifted immediately.

Polite.
Charming.
Dangerously good with parents.

"Mrs. Desir," he smiled.

"Oh my God, look at you." Mom grabbed his arm instantly. "You got so tall."

I blinked slowly.

Traitor.

"Mom," I warned.

"What? He did."

Daisuke looked way too entertained suddenly.