Nico Vaughan, the junior class "Nice Girl" wants to be free from her abusive and obsessive ex-boyfriend.
Valen Henford, the school's resident "Rich Guy meets Bad Boy" wants to spend his senior year with the girl he's been in love with for years.
W...
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"Love is what makes a person human, as well as what makes a monster." (Won-pyung Sohn, Almond).
|◁ II ▷|
Nico is moving slowly. Very slowly.
As soon as her bag is zipped, I stand straight and silently offer to take it. She regards my outstretched hand with a cute confused look.
"I can—do you want me to take your bag for you?" I question stupidly.
Her eyes meet mine, and I try to convince my lungs to stop sleeping on the job as she responds. "Um, I've got it, but thank you."
I follow her out of the classroom, feeling like one of those golden retriever puppies with attachment issues. My heart is beating hard and loud.
The halls are crowded, and I wonder if Nico will decide the conversation isn't worth having if we can't find a spot to talk. An unwanted pang of disappointment fills my chest.
And then, she glances behind her at me and motions for me to follow her. Hope blooms again as I follow her like the puppy I am.
She waves at so many people as we pass, and I get the honor of seeing their faces change from genuinely happy and bright at seeing her to confused and then dislike at seeing me. I settle my best glares on each of them until they all look away.
Nico stops at the end of the hall near the emergency exit door, pushing a few pieces of hair from her face. I pause and stand across from her, not knowing whether to prepare myself for rejection or prepare for her agreement.
"I think it's a good idea," she begins.
I hear the "but" and wait patiently, steeling myself. This wasn't the only plan, but it's the first one. Well, after the tutoring thing. I guess this is Plan B.
No "but"s reveal themselves as she looks at me. Staring. Watching. Waiting? Maybe, reading? I stare back, hoping my face isn't displaying any weird emotions.
She continues, a more settled look slightly relaxing her face. "I'm up for this deal. I think it'll be interesting, and, obviously, this benefits me more than you can imagine."
I'm sure it does. Nico's problems with Hunter are starting to circulate the rumor mill. I bet Hunter is the one who started them.
I'd like to punch Hunter's dick so hard he can't see straight for weeks.
"Valen," she speaks, her voice snapping me out of my violent fantasies. I nod at her sheepishly, and she smiles. "What's in it for you?"
