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...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
"Who last shall kiss the lips of love, when love is dead? Who last shall fold her hands and pillow soft her head? Who last shall vigil keep beside her lonely bier? I ask, and from the dark, cold height without, I hear The mystic answer: 'I , her mother, Earth, shall press Her lips the last, in my infinite tenderness'" (Alexander L. Posey).
|◁ II ▷|
The door to my room opens, and my backpack hits the floor. My body finds solace in my comfortable bed for a moment before my stomach forces myself up again and to the kitchen.
I relish the feeling of the quiet house. Mom is at work, Juli probably has a class right now, and West is... somewhere, I guess. Not home, though, because his car isn't here.
Today, school was exhausting for no reason. I need a good recharge. I call Amber and Rachel to come over, and I find myself humming while I prepare our snacks.
The front door opens as I'm walking the snacks up to my room.
"Hey, guys!" I welcome them. "I made some snacks!"
We hurry up the stairs to my room, and I chill on the floor as Rachel and Amber chill on my bed. Snacks are eaten, and Instagram is scrolled through.
Amber shows me a few reels, and Rachel finds me a new author to follow.
"Oh!" Amber bursts out. "Hey, Nico."
"Stay strong in... this world," I sing happily. "My girl..."
"How's Valen doing?" She wags her brows at me, a stupid grin on her face.
Rachel's head snaps to mine. "What?"
Amber's face morphs into one of apology. "Ah, sorry, Nico. They're dating, Rachel."
"No, it's okay, Amber," I decide. "Rachel?"
Rachel's wide, rich eyes turn to me. "Yeah?"
"Your eyes look gorgeous in this light," I interject.
Amber giggles. "Nico, babe. Focus."
"Rachel," I urge, my face serious. "What I'm about to tell you is absolutely top-secret. Can you keep it between us three?"
Rachel nods, her eyes still wide. They dart from me to Amber. "Of course. Yes."
"You swear?" Amber leans in.
Rachel looks uncomfortable. "Oh... I don't swear. My 'yes' means 'yes'."
