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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"I fell in love with his soul before I could even touch his skin. If that isn't true love, then please tell me what is" (OurmindfulLife.com).
|◁ II ▷|
Nico's house has always seemed calming to me. Their townhouse is in a nice neighborhood, surrounded by other cute townhouses. It's peaceful, but not quietly so. My house is deathly silent at most times, but Nico's neighborhood is alive with mowers, loud birds, and neighbors conversing happily.
It's so tranquil.
When we first pulled in, I even spotted an area near the entrance to the neighborhood with pavilions, a pool, and a small building. It had been alive with kids and adults, the fire pit blazing and a nice smell wafting through the neighborhood.
I would've loved this place growing up.
I've just pulled my bike into her drive way when I hear Nico undo the helmet and hop off the bike. She pulls out her keys from her backpack while I kick the kickstand up and set the helmet on the seat. I walk up to the door, and she gets it unlocked, waving me proudly inside with a laugh.
I can't help my smile as I walk inside, that warmth I get when I'm with Nico streaming through my body and mind.
My smile slips away nervously when I see a tall, dark-haired girl standing in front of the door and staring into my soul.
"Hello. Who are you?" She demands.
Nico places a hand on my arm. "Juliette, this is Valen. He's come over to work on a project for school."
"The English project?" Juliette questions curiously.
Nico nods.
Juliette turns to the stairs and yells, "West, there's a boy in the house!"
No response is heard. Juliette just shrugs. "Oh, yeah. Probably out with Sam. Mom isn't home, so I guess I get the honor of babysitting you guys."
Juliette plops down on the couch and turns on the tv. Nico dismisses herself, saying something about snacks. I stay put, unsure what to do.
I move over to the couch slowly, wary of the older, boisterous girl in the living area. I sit on the other side of the couch, my eyes on her. Her eyes snap to me, and we stare at each other for a moment.
"I like the purple streaks in your hair," I offer.
She smiles. "Thanks. They're new from my recent breakup."
