Sixteen-year-old Yasmine Emori Sanders was getting ready to start at a new high school. She recently moved in with her sister Charlie after her mother's death. The death ultimately took a toll on her. She didn't eat or sleep for weeks. Her mother wa...
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Noah watched Yasmine disappear into her house before he leaned back in his seat, exhaling sharply. The moment they shared had felt electric, alive with possibility. But Kataleya's message lingered like a shadow, creeping back into his mind. He knew he couldn't avoid her forever; besides, it was better to keep her close, to make sure everything stayed under control. Pulling out his phone, he sent a quick text:
On my way.
Minutes later, he pulled into Kataleya's driveway, barely noticing the flickering porch light as he stepped out of his car. Kataleya was waiting just inside the door, her arms crossed tightly across her chest, her expression tense. Noah gave her a soft smile as he walked in, but her gaze remained sharp.
"Hey," he started, keeping his voice light, hoping to smooth things over before it escalated. But Kataleya was quick to respond, her voice edged with frustration.
"Noah, we need to talk," she said, her eyes narrowing. "Something's been... different. I feel like I barely know where we stand anymore."
Noah sighed, rubbing the back of his neck as he thought of the right words, carefully choosing the ones he knew would keep her close. He stepped forward, softening his expression, trying to look as sincere as possible. "Kat... you know how much I care about you. Things have just been a lot lately. I'm sorry if I made you feel any less important."
She shook her head, her voice faltering. "It's not just that, Noah. It's like... there's this distance between us. I see the way you look distracted, and I can't help but wonder if there's someone else."
The accusation caught him off guard, but he didn't let it show. Instead, he sighed deeply, stepping even closer to her, reaching out to take her hand. "Kat, I don't know what you're seeing, but I'm here with you now, aren't I?" He brushed his thumb over her knuckles, his gaze steady, almost pleading. "I'd never do anything to hurt you."
Kataleya's gaze softened a little, but she still looked uncertain, as though some part of her didn't fully believe him. Sensing this, Noah moved closer, cupping her face gently. "Hey... let's not waste tonight fighting, okay? You mean too much to me."
Her eyes filled with tears, and she let out a shaky breath. "Noah, I don't want to feel like I'm second choice, like I'm not enough for you."
"You're not second choice, Kat," he whispered, lowering his voice to a soothing tone as he leaned in, brushing a gentle kiss against her forehead. "You're everything I need." He tightened his arms around her, feeling her relax, letting him in again.
He leaned down, tilting her chin to meet his gaze, his words laced with intensity. "Do you trust me?"
She hesitated for a moment, but then she nodded, her eyes glistening. "Yes."
Noah smiled, brushing his thumb over her cheek as he leaned in, his lips capturing hers in a kiss that was soft, but insistent. His hands moved along her back, drawing her closer as he deepened the kiss, feeling her resistance fade, replaced with trust and desire. He knew exactly what he was doing, and the way she clung to him, the way she looked at him, told him she had already forgiven him, even if she couldn't shake her suspicions entirely.
