the face. My eyes fly open, and I groan in irritation as I come face-to-face with Lina, standin
e and wiping the dripping water from my cheeks. My voice i
ing my misery. "You ignored me like a corpse, so drastic measures were necessary.
bed, pushing me toward the bathroom with exaggerated enthusiasm. "Go
tion in the mirror confirms what I already feel-drained, hollow, and visibly sleep-deprived. My eyes are bloodshot from the restless nigh
iting, holding up a light blue crop top paired with high-waisted black jeans l
skeptically, glancing at the outfi
s as if it's the most obvious thing in the world. "Not that you need any h
t want to make friends or stand out. I just want to quietly finish my junior year withou
sister to me. You are my little sister in every way that matters. I didn't get a chance to live the life I dreamed of because of my parents. I was dragged into this world before I could ev
glistening with unshed tears, and the weight
y regret sna
een-year-old should have faced-and yet, h
e about you too, more than I can say. But you need to understand, Lina...
the outfit in her hands, I sigh and add with a small smile, "But I guess
hts up again
gh to hide the worst of the dark circles. I sling my bag ov
e at the b
Damon, and Brandon-arms crossed, expressions
amon quips dramatically.
pping forward, "I'm reminding you one last time-no socializi
lowered, his voice st
tting to school
ess?" Percy mocks, his tone l
d and murmur,
stepping past them witho
lding is enormous, with clusters of students scattered across the lawn like a sea of chaos and color. I grip my
me, some staring longer than necessary, and the low hum of whispers trails behind me li
eone's chest, stumbling backward. Two stro
gasp, bending down to ga
watching either," a c
t brown eyes that are so vividly alive it almost hurts to look at them. His face is chiseled like it was craft
ip over themse
a
his brow slightly rai
my throat as I see him-Percy-walking through the front doors. His voice from e
abruptly, turning on my heel and rushing
ows, but I don't turn around. I k
ary books, and then make my way to homeroom. I quietly slip into a seat
eacher starts calling att
lee B
kwardly raise my hand in ack
barrel into the room-laughing and panting dramatically. One is a redhead with
ident on the road and we stopped to help. I mean, we cou
instantly. "That was very kind of you
edhead and one boy settle there while the third-a brunette gu
abe," the boy behind m
this month," the girl
," the brunette
That's my boyfriend, Wesley." She gestures to th
flashing a grin and
but shake i
sks, his voice warm and c
st class?" Evele
e," I answ
too. He can take
ur next class too," W
e smirks. "Nah, let me. I'
," Eveleine mutters. "He's
it," Blake
s her eyes. "We
is alread
a quiet laugh
. "So, what do you say?
e class. One walk. What's t
ke he just
e I got here, I don't feel