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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"what good are wings without the courage to fly?" (Atticus).
|◁ II ▷|
I stare at Nico while she works on her homework in the library, the both of us ensconced together in our beanbag.
There's two weeks left until Christmas break.
Even though we just got a week off for Thanksgiving, I still wasn't ready to come back today. Usually, I'd just skip today and maybe tomorrow, but I have a reason to come to school now.
Nico.
I smile as I stare, unashamed. My smile grows when I think back to our Thanksgivings.
Nico came to my family's impromptu lunch, officially meeting both of my parents and winning them over with her charm and kindness. That prompted some fun conversations about our future together, which we both bulled, red-faced and, at least for me, somewhat content.
I went to her family dinner with Rikkard, and it was much more at ease than my lunch had been. The food was amazing, and the Vaughans treated us like their very own. West did make us go around the table and say things we were thankful for, and I said Nico which made everyone lose their sanity for a good five minutes, but, hey.
Another great thing about the Vaughan's Thanksgiving is their game night. They are very competitive.
But, best of all, Rikkard and I finished the library over break. It's just waiting on me to confess.
But Livia, my cousin, is coming for Christmas, so maybe I just wait until I can get her input. Just a little longer. I just need to be sure Nico shares my feelings enough to say yes when I ask her to be my real girlfriend.
Gosh, I'm nervous.
Nico smiles at me, setting her homework to the side. "Why the stare? You like the way I look, or somethin'?"
"'Or somethin'," I quip with a grin.
She thumps my hand. "Dude, start working on your homework. I know you're swamped. They always swamp everybody before the semester ends. You are no exception."
"But I have good grades this year," I whine, unzipping my backpack. "I don't have to do anymore work."
Nico gives me a look, and I frown dramatically as I pull out my stupid homework.
"You're a bad influence," I poke her with my pencil.
"'Badinfluence'?" She laughs. "For making you do your homework?"
