Kingsley Academy

Chapter 26

I stood in front of the mirror, smoothing down the last curl of my hair. I had gone for soft waves tonight, letting them cascade down over my shoulders. My makeup was bronzed, warm tones to complement the natural glow I wanted to keep. A little shimmer on my eyelids, a touch of blush on my cheeks, and a swipe of gloss on my lips.

It was a subtle look, but I liked how it brought out the warmth in my skin, making me feel more confident. I took a step back, eyeing my reflection one last time. I wasn't nervous—I wouldn't let myself be. But there was a little flutter in my chest, something I couldn't quite shake, knowing Kade was about to show up at my door.

Just as I finished adjusting the straps of my dress, there was a knock. I grabbed my small clutch and took a deep breath before walking over to the door. When I opened it, Kade stood there, leaning casually against the frame, but the moment his eyes landed on me, his usual cool exterior slipped.

His gaze swept over me, his expression softening as he took me in. For a moment, he didn't say anything, and I could feel the intensity in his eyes.

"Beautiful," he whispered, his voice low, almost reverent. "You are so beautiful."

A warmth spread through me at his words, my heart racing a little faster. He wasn't teasing, wasn't being cocky. He was just... honest.

"Thanks," I said softly, a small smile tugging at my lips. "You don't look so bad yourself."

He smirked, that familiar playful glint returning to his eyes.

"You ready?" he asked, offering me his hand.

I nodded, slipping my hand into his, and the moment our fingers intertwined, the nervous flutter in my chest disappeared. It was just Kade. The guy who made me crazy, but in all the best ways.

"Let's go," I said, feeling the excitement build as we stepped out into the night together.

The warm ambiance of the Italian restaurant surrounded us as we walked in, the smell of fresh pasta and garlic filling the air. Kade had picked the place, and as we were led to our table, I couldn't help but feel a mixture of excitement and nerves. 

As soon as we sat down, Kade leaned back in his chair, his smirk already in place as he scanned the menu. "You know," he said, glancing over at me, "you can't just eat a salad here."

I gave him a playful glare, trying to keep my tone light despite the anxiety building in my chest. "You promised no pizza."

He chuckled, setting his menu down and leaning forward. "Yeah, I did. But we're in an Italian restaurant, and you can't leave without trying something good. How about some ravioli? Or risotto? They're amazing here."

The tension in my stomach tightened. I glanced at the menu, my fingers brushing over the words, but it felt like they were swimming on the page. Everything sounded heavy, too rich, too much.

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to smile as casually as possible. "Okay, fine. I'll get the risotto," I said, my voice more confident than I felt.

Kade grinned, satisfied, and leaned back in his chair. "Good choice. You'll love it."

As he turned to flag down the waiter, my stomach churned with anxiety. I tried to calm myself down, reminding myself that it was just one meal. It's fine, I told myself. You'll throw it up later anyway. The thought brought a strange sense of comfort, a way to control the panic rising inside me.

I forced a smile as the waiter came to take our order, determined not to let my nerves show. Kade was being sweet, and I didn't want to ruin the night.

But deep down, the familiar struggle gnawed at me, reminding me that no matter how much I tried to push it away, it was always there.