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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"When did a dragon ever die from the poison of a snake?" (Nietzsche)
|◁ II ▷|
I turn off the tv in my room, turning the Nintendo switch off as well. Nico's going to be here in ten minutes at the earliest. I pull out my phone.
I think back to the library, trying to remember what store it was that she picked out a dress from. Remembering, I open the app and go to the cart, seeing the beautiful green gown Nico picked out. I order it quickly, using the debit card Mom and Dad got me a few years ago. They always make sure I have plenty on there. I think it's a way to assuage them from the guilt of leaving their child alone so much.
I sit there for a moment, staring at the dress on my phone. I try to imagine Nico in it, and my heart beats rapidly. I'm actually excited for this gala.
A chime sounds from downstairs, echoing through the intercom system through the house. I bound out of my room, almost whacking my shoulder on the wall when I turn to go down the stairs.
I pause right before the door, grabbing a lighter from that piece of furniture in the foyer. I tilt it low, catching the wick of the honeysuckle candle with the flames. I want our huge, empty house to feel welcoming to her, and the candy is a scent she told me she finds nostalgic and comforting.
I look up in the mirror on the wall, checking and fixing my reflection like an egotistical cat. Then, I move to the two front doors, unlocking and opening the left one. Nico's bright smile greets me, and it brushes all the nerves away, leaving me with a content feeling that I display in a smile.
"Hey, Nico. Welcome in," I wave her inside.
She walks in, surveying the huge living room and connecting kitchen, her eyes wide. She's seen it all before, but it was only a brief peek. While she takes in the house, I drink in her figure.
My eyes trail along her side profile before she turns to look at something the opposite direction. Her dark, messy hair is pulled up into a lazy bun, a few pieces escaping to frame her face and tease the back of her neck. My eyes trail lower to the tight, black crop top hugging her body, and they linger for a moment on the couple inches of tanned skin between the black fabric of her top and the dark red of her shorts.
I clear my throat, pulling myself out of my reverence. "Here's the house."
She turns, her lips upturned as a playful look enters her eyes. "I thought it was the dog's playhouse?"
I shake my head, a smile weaseling its way into my face. "Nope, just my humble abode."
"More like a humble mansion, my good sir," Nico jabs, her smile lifting into a smirk.
