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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"Be patient and tough; someday this pain will be useful to you" (Ovid).
|◁ II ▷|
The waiter leaves the table after taking our orders. He didn't question the fact that we didn't order food and just got ice cream.
"Vanilla?" Nico smiles teasingly across from me, her body leaned forward and her hands settled the edge of the table as she tries to scoot her chair closer. "So basic."
"Hey," I wag my finger playfully at her. "I also got cookies and cream. Not so basic."
She gives me a "really?" look.
"Nico, you got weird ice cream because you're a weird person," I poke at her.
She glares at me, her hot gaze softened by the smile her lips are fighting. "Stracciatella is perfect. There aren't many places I can get it, either. And aren't we all a little weird?"
"You're saying I'm weird, not basic?" I ask to confirm, my own smile appearing at the sight of hers.
"You're somehow both," she decides, nodding to seal my fate.
"I think you're the weird one," I mutter just loud enough to make sure she hears, glancing to the side. I catch sight of a group of guys from school who hang in my kind of crowd. They're somehow less known than I am, but all the more notorious in ways.
"Fine," she sighs. "But this weirdo is going to find the bathroom. Be back in a second."
She leaves, and I catch the group of guys staring. I nod at them. They nod back, glancing at each other but keeping their eyes mostly on me.
I glance down at my phone for a moment until I hear my name. I look up. The group of guys calls my name again, waving me over. I hesitate for a moment until I give in, too curious to not see what they have to say.
"Hey," one of the guys starts. I pick him out to be the leader. His dark eyes scan my face for a moment, black brows pinched in thought. "You know us?"
"I know of you," I respond lightly, letting my eyes show my confidence.
The guys glance at each other again before collectively looking back at me.
The dark skinned, dark eyed, dark haired leader from before holds out his hand. "I'm Dravian."
I nod at him, and his hand goes down. His eyes clear in understanding, and he clears his throat, brushing off his ego. "How's your girlfriend doin', man?"
"She's perfect," I reply honestly. "You didn't call me over to ask about Nico."
Dravian shared another stupid glance with the rest of the guys. "No. Hey, man. Jus'—Jus' be careful wit her, okay? She got some heavy baggage."
