Heaven Sinclair is almost too good to be true, with a pure heart and a smile that shines through. However, beneath her sunny disposition, she still bears the scar of Orion Calloway's past betrayal.
Forced to work together on a college project, the t...
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"I hate Mondays."
My glasses slide down the bridge of my nose as my gaze lifts from the screen of my laptop, meeting with Naomi's over the rim of hers.
"Can I ask why?"
She raises an eyebrow. "I need a reason to hate the worst day of the week?"
"It's not the worst day of the week," I say as I reach for my takeaway cup of iced coffee, a ring of its condensation beading on my side of the table between us. I wrap my fingers around the cup, feeling the coolness seeping into my skin.
"It's the day that signals the end of the weekend, ergo the worst day of the week."
Taking a sip of my coffee, I say, "I actually like Mondays."
"Of course you do," Naomi rolls her eyes, then leans in to whisper, "You're not human."
I lean in, too. "What am I then?"
Naomi shrugs, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "An alien from a planet where cotton candy falls down from the sky?"
"Winner winner, chicken dinner!" I wink as I lean back in my seat.
Shaking her head at me with a chuckle, Naomi turns her attention back to her laptop, while I glance around Apex University's The Pawfect Grind.
The walls are a soothing shade of creamy yellow, adorned with whimsical dog-themed artworks. All the pieces of furniture are modern and rustic, and the smell of coffee and pastries in the air goes well with the warm lighting spilling from the vintage-style pendant lamps.
As I glance over at Naomi, I just have to stop to admire her beauty. She's gorgeous, and she knows it. It's obvious in the way her bright hazel eyes shine with a quiet confidence, and the way she keeps running a hand through her straight black hair that falls like a waterfall down her back. Her delicate features are a testament to her Japanese heritage, with high cheekbones and a small nose.
Even though we've only been roommates for three days, I feel like I've known her my whole life.
"Take a picture," Naomi's voice snaps me out of my thoughts. "It'll last longer."
I roll my eyes, taking one last sip of my now-lukewarm coffee. "Don't flatter yourself."
She grins at me, then clinks her cup of chai latte against mine. We settle into a comfortable silence after that, the next few minutes flying by as we continue to work on our respective class schedules.
The coffee shop's cozy atmosphere is interrupted by the insistent beeping of my phone's alarm.
"Time to get moving! First class awaits," Naomi does a drumroll on the table as I stand up and gather my belongings.
"Yours is in thirty minutes, yeah?" I ask for clarification.
"Yep. Art History. Boring stuff."
"I'd trade with you if I could. I hate Chemistry," My nose scrunches at just the thought of it. I've hated the subject since highschool, and I don't think my hatred will ever go away.
"I know the feeling," Naomi sighs. "Text me when you're done."
I give her a quick nod, then rush out of the coffee shop when the second alarm I set goes off.
The sun is hidden behind the fluffy white clouds in the sky, and the quad is littered with streams of students. As I pass beside the fountain, I notice the leaves scattered around the oak trees, their faded grandeur a testament to the passing of autumn and arrival of winter.
My chest rises and falls as I speed walk down the spiral walkway and head into the Science Center.
There are students everywhere—from seniors wearing lab coats, to freshmen like me looking utterly lost. I'm slightly intimidated, but I keep my head high as I try to navigate the map I've pulled up on my phone.
After a few minutes of bumping into shoulders and squeezing through the crowded hallways, I finally arrive at my class.
I take a deep breath before opening the frosted glass door, my bracelets clanging against the metal of the door knob.
The room is bright and modern, with sleek white tables and stools arranged in neat rows. The walls are adorned with minimalistic diagrams and charts, adding a touch of colour to the otherwise clean and simple space. A large, state-of-the-art screen dominates the front of the room, flanked by two smaller whiteboards.
There's only one person in the room, and she doesn't notice me until I've fully stepped inside. She's sitting in one of the middle row seats, and her long, ginger waves sway as she locks eyes with me.
"Hi, I'm Genevieve Walters," she gives me a small wave.
"I'm Heaven Sinclair," I say with a smile. "It's nice to meet you, Genevieve."
"Likewise," she replies, then goes back to the book she was reading.
Out of habit, I make my way over to a front row seat, my arms thanking me once I drop my backpack on the table.
My phone buzzes as I pull out everything I know I'll need for the class. I spare it a glance, the corner of my lips tilting up when I see that it's a message from Naomi.
Roomie <3: good luck! :)
The room starts to get filled with a gentle hum of chatter as students rush in. My nerves subside a bit when I recognize most of them from the tour we were given last week Thursday.
Some girls bump into my table, causing one of my pens to fall off. I wait for them to pass before bending down to pick it up. As I'm sitting back up, my eyes fall on the person about to come into the class, and my pen slips from my fingers like a dropped secret.
I feel my heart squeeze in my chest as something between a gasp and a sob escapes my lips.
Standing a few feet away from me, with a look of pure shock on his face, is the only person that's ever been able to make me feel a thousand things at the same time.
Orion freaking Calloway.
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well, hello there :) it's been a while, hasn't it? i hate to sound like a broken record, but i really am sorry for the inconsistent updates. the writer's block i had this time around was absolutely terrible. but luckily, i was able to pull through it. three months later... lol.
moving on, what did y'all think of this chapter? let me know in the comments!
also, thank you for 300+ reads and 50 votes. those might seem like small numbers to others, but they mean everything to me. i appreciate and love you all so, so much. thank you!
that's all for now. as the colder weather approaches, remember to stay hydrated and keep warm. don't forget to vote, comment, and share. until next time!
