His soft hum vibrates through the space between us, the quiet chuckle he lets out against my earlobe sending a shiver down my spine. His voice is low, dangerous, as he leans in closer, his breath warm against my skin.
"You can keep lying to yourself...
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Song :Stay | Rihanna ft Mikky Ekko
𝐀𝐋𝐄𝐗𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐑𝐀 • 𝐅𝐄𝐑𝐍𝐒𝐁𝐘
••••••••••••
I feel out of place.
Standing just outside the sprawling resort hotel, I squint against the glare of the midday sun. My hand hovers like a visor above my eyebrows, though it does little to dull the brightness that beats down on my face.
The place looks like something pulled from a luxury vacation ad- cream-colored stone, glass doors that shimmer, wide steps that stretch out like an invitation I'd rather ignore.
"Okay, guys!" Kaia chirps, bouncing on the balls of her feet. Her pink sunglasses rest perfectly on the bridge of her nose, shielding her from the sun I'm currently losing a staring contest with. "The other group should be here any time, and then a chaperone'll read out the room assignments!"
A wave of tired hums and nods passes through the group.
"Hey- Kai?" I ask, stepping closer.
She tilts her head toward me, mouth already quirking. "Yeah?"
"Who made the arrangements?"
She waves a hand lazily, still scrolling through her phone. "Mmm, I think one of the teachers? Callahan maybe?"
Perfect. Just my luck.
I exhale sharply, dragging a hand down my face. Watch me end up stuck with Lucy Hills or someone equally soul-sucking.
I barely have time to spiral further before Kaia lets out a squeal, a sound so high-pitched and excited it scrapes at my already-fried nerves.
My eyes follow hers, and- yep.
Morgan. Fucking. Vales.
He strolls up beside Theo Lawson, typing something into his phone with one hand, sunglasses low on the bridge of his nose. He looks like he walked off a magazine spread for "Douchey Vacationers."
His black button-up is casually unbuttoned at the top, sleeves rolled to the elbow, exposing inked arms that look like they could kill. His hair's slicked back- cleaner than usual, with a few defiant curls hanging loose over his pierced brow.
Smug and effortless.
I don't realize I'm staring until Harrison elbows me.
I shove him back hard.
The group starts moving toward the lobby in clusters. Teachers wrangle stragglers, kids peel off in search of friends.
Harrison veers off toward Nico. Kaia's already vanished into a sea of shrieking girls. I'm left half-blinded by the sun and still vaguely nauseous from the hellish car ride.
