Gray Areas | Englot | GxG

10. Lose Control

Upper East Side, Manhattan, NY
9 years ago, senior year

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POV ENGFA

I really liked Charlotte. Actually, it felt like more than just like. I didn't understand it fully, but it was stronger than anything I'd felt, even more intense than what I had with Nick. It felt like it went beyond everything. I was always looking forward to seeing her. My heart would race every time I thought about being with her, and when we were apart, my mind was always on her.

For the first time, I consistently arrive at school on time every day, even getting there early-so eager to see her. I can't believe how obsessed I've become.

Months had passed since we'd been together, and now it was our first day back at school after winter break. I'd spent the last three weeks in Europe with Snack and my parents, but today, finally, I was back with Charlotte. Seeing her again after that time apart felt incredible.

After an intense make-out session in my student council room, she had gone back to class, while I stayed behind, still riding the high from the time we'd just shared. My smile felt like it was permanently stuck to my face. But then, without any warning, my door swung open, wiping the smile right off. I frowned immediately.

The room designated for the student council president was separate from the main council room, and everyone was supposed to knock before entering. Except, of course, for Nick. He strolled right in and made himself comfortable on the couch across from me.

"Nick. You're supposed to knock. Be a little considerate," I said, frowning. "What if I were in the middle of something important, huh?"

He chuckled and gave me a look, his face carrying that familiar smirk. I'd known him forever-since we were in diapers. I could tell instantly when he was about to launch some strategy, one he'd cooked up specifically for his opponent.

"Fa, does 'something important' include making out with that stunning scholarship student?" he smirked, leaning back casually. "Charlotte Austin."

Damn it. How did he find out?

Charlotte and I had been hiding our relationship at school and outside for months now.

It was my idea-something I insisted on in the beginning for privacy's sake. Charlotte had argued about it, pointing out how open I'd been with my relationship with Nick, but I managed to convince her in the end.

The truth was, even though Nick and I had broken up, I didn't want him telling our parents. There were too many reasons why.

For example, our families had practically arranged our future together since we were kids, considering Nick's background. His family was "old money"; every man in his family held high-ranking positions in this country or was a multinational business mogul. And my family? They had just as much influence. My mother was probably the strictest person on earth, carrying on an unbroken lineage of wealth from my grandmother, who owned a top real estate company. My dad owned this school, along with several other elite private schools in Europe and the U.S.

Our parents were practically steering our futures, guiding our destinies.

Nick and I had tried dating officially during freshman year after years of being best friends. Honestly, I'd had feelings for him, and I think he did, too. But everything changed when he went to Madrid for junior year. He started hanging out with people who pulled him into partying, drugs, and other girls. I was disgusted. When I confronted him, his excuse was that it was all just "casual fun."