Stole My Heart 💕

19 - She likes him

As the days passed, Candice slowly returned to her usual routine, thanks to Hanna and Andrea, who never left her side for even a moment. Their unwavering presence was a source of comfort, but also a growing concern in the back of her mind. They were determined to figure out who was behind all the recent trouble, yet the absence of new threats did little to ease the weight on her chest. What if something happened to them because of her? What if they got hurt trying to protect her? The thought alone sent a shiver down her spine, filling her heart with an unbearable heaviness.

But amidst the lingering fear, another thought tormented her—Nick. She hadn't seen him since the night he had come to her rescue. The image of him holding her in his arms, strong and protective, played over and over in her mind. The way his body had shielded hers, the way his warmth had enveloped her—it was enough to make her blush uncontrollably every time she thought about it. A fluttering sensation stirred in her stomach, an unspoken excitement she couldn't shake.

"Could he feel the same way about me?" The question lingered in her mind, making her heart race.

She shook her head, forcing herself to push the ridiculous idea away. "What am I even thinking? Do I actually have feelings for him?" she muttered, stunned by the realization.

Denying it would be a lie. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't stop thinking about him. She missed him—his presence, his voice, the way he looked at her with that unreadable intensity. A part of her desperately wanted to believe that he thought about her too, but another part feared she was just a fleeting thought to him. Confusion and longing warred within her, yet she couldn't deny the thrill of this new, unfamiliar feeling.

The next day at college, Candice approached her locker, only to find an ominous note tucked inside. With trembling hands, she unfolded it and read:

If you don't want Hanna and Andrea to get hurt, come to the chemistry lab alone at 8 pm.

Her heart pounded wildly in her chest. She frantically glanced around, searching for any suspicious faces in the crowded hallway. Just then, Hanna and Andrea approached, their cheerful chatter filling the air. Candice quickly stuffed the note into her bag, masking the turmoil raging inside her. She couldn't let them suspect anything—couldn't let them get involved.

Her mind spun with a thousand thoughts. Should she go alone? Should she tell someone? What if it was a trap? But if she didn't go, Hanna and Andrea could get hurt.

A flicker of hesitation crossed her mind as she thought of Blake. His protective nature had always been reassuring. But before she could dwell on it, another face emerged in her thoughts—Nick. The memory of his unwavering presence, the fierce determination in his eyes, made her chest tighten. Could she ask him for help? What if something happened to him because of her?

No. She couldn't take that risk. She had to handle this alone.

After calling her parents to let them know she'd be late, she said her goodbyes to Hanna and Andrea, pretending everything was normal. To calm her nerves, she stopped by a nearby café, her hands shaking as she clutched her cup. Time crawled at a torturous pace until the clock finally neared eight. With a deep breath, she made her way back to campus, her heart hammering in anticipation.

Just as she reached the dimly lit corridor near the chemistry lab, a sudden force yanked her backward. Before she could react, a strong hand clamped over her mouth, muffling her startled gasp. Her body was pressed firmly against the cold wall, and sheer panic gripped her—until a familiar voice whispered against her ear, sending shivers down her spine.

"Shh... Baby doll... Don't shout."

Her breath hitched as recognition dawned. Nick.

Slowly, he turned her to face him, his hand still covering her mouth. His piercing gaze bore into hers, demanding answers without uttering a single word. Relief flooded through her, melting away the fear she had felt just moments ago. He had come for her.