: ̗̀➛ 𝐈𝐍 𝐖𝐇𝐈𝐂𝐇 Victoria Miller's world is upended when she learns her life as the Pogue Princess is over. No longer surrounded by her group of friends, she's forced to adjust to a new, unfamiliar reality as a Kook. After a year of her not so...
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ANXIOUSLY BITING HER LIP, Victoria hesitated outside John B's door, her heart pounding in her chest. She lifted her hand and knocked softly, then stood still, waiting for a response. A muffled voice from inside called, "Come in." She took a deep breath and pushed the door open, stepping inside.
John B sat on his bed, his arms crossed tightly over his chest as he leaned against the wall, his gaze fixed on the floor. The weight of the silence between them hung heavy in the air. Victoria closed the door quietly behind her, then stepped further into the room. Her fingers trembled as she took a few steps forward, unsure of how to begin.
She pointed to the spot next to him, silently asking if she could sit. John B looked up, meeting her eyes for a moment before raising his brows. "Yeah, of course," he muttered, his voice low and guarded.
Victoria sat down next to him, but the space between them felt wide, despite the physical proximity. Her hands fidgeted nervously, picking at the dry skin around her nails, trying to focus on anything other than the flood of emotions that seemed to overwhelm her. The silence in the room was deafening, broken only by the sound of their breathing.
"I fucked up," she blurted out, her voice barely above a whisper. She couldn't bear to look at him, her gaze fixed firmly on her fidgeting fingers.
John B turned his head to her, his expression unreadable. He stared at her, but didn't speak. His eyes flickered to her face, noticing the smudged makeup under her eyes—he wasn't sure if it was from the rain or from crying. His stomach twisted with concern, but he stayed silent, letting her speak.
She took a shaky breath before continuing, her voice trembling as the words spilled out. "I'm sorry for abandoning you, for abandoning the Pogues, and leaving without any explanation. I'm sorry for treating you like shit, for the past year..." She finally looked at him, her eyes glassy with tears. "And most of all, I'm sorry I wasn't there for you when your dad went missing."
John B's gaze dropped, and he shrugged slightly, trying to keep his emotions at bay. "It's okay," he said, his voice flat, though there was a trace of sadness in his eyes.
"No, it's not okay!" Victoria's voice cracked, and before she could stop herself, tears began streaming down her face, hot and uncontrollable. Her cheeks turned red as the tears fell freely. "What kind of best friend does that?!" she cried, her body trembling as she fought to regain control.
John B's lips twitched, and a small, almost imperceptible smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "You..." he muttered under his breath, as if reminding her.
