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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"she was everything real in a world full of make-believe" (atticus).
|◁ II ▷|
I finally make it home, at peace and grinning like a fool. I wait in my car for a second, still smelling the remnants of Nico's vanilla perfume.
I should call Rikkard. He'll be happy for me.
I quickly type his number in, not bothering to turn my phone off do not disturb. The line rings. And rings. And disconnects.
What?
I'll text him.
My heart drops when I see the messages.
Rikkard: /gwprj/
Rikkard: /oka/
Rikkard: /gejo/
No.
I call Jake immediately. He may be a dick, and I may be realizing more and more how much I dislike him, but he knows about Rikkard, and I'm going to need help. It might be an accident, but historically, it won't be.
'Hey, dude.'
"Meet me at Rikkard's," I hurry, already putting my car in reverse. "He sent me some weird texts. He's not okay."
'Damn it,' I hear shuffling on Jake's end and a girl's voice. 'Okay, I'll be there.'
I drive fast, confident Jake will still beat me there, girl or not. He lives closer, and he'll be on his motorcycle. I still have to put up with traffic in this car.
I finally slide my car into Rikkard's driveway and jump out of the car, slamming the door shut. Jake is pulling his helmet off, but as I pass his bike, I grab the helmet. He looks back at me, his face scared and confused.
"Just in case," I mutter.
Jake opens the door quickly and quietly. He peers in, and I wait anxiously behind him.
"Clear," he whispers. He pauses a few steps into the rundown house. "On the couch. He's out."
I peer into the living room. Rikkard's father is lying on the couch, the tv on and a beer barely staying in his grip. I move past Jake as he stares at him in disgust. I pause in the kitchen doorway to the right, a large figure drawing my attention from my march towards Rikkard's room.
