That was still happening?\u00a0<\/p>\n
Of course I hadn\u2019t seen a dime. His secretary and my aunt were thick as thieves. I was willing to bet every cent went straight to Riley\u2019s purse collection. But I couldn\u2019t tell him that.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I just nodded and smiled. \u201cYes. I forgot to thank you. Thank you, Uncle.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He smiled and patted my head. \u201cYou don\u2019t need to thank me. It\u2019s my duty. You\u2019re family.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Family.\u00a0<\/p>\n
What a lovely word to say out loud. Even if the reality didn\u2019t match.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He got in the car and drove off. I stood there and watched the sleek vehicle disappear around the corner.\u00a0<\/p>\n
When they were gone, I looked down at the stone near my foot and kicked it down the sidewalk. The echo of it skipping down the street was the only sound around me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t worry,\u201d I whispered. \u201cI\u2019ve got this. I\u2019ll figure it out. I won\u2019t let anything happen to you, Seb. Even if it means making a deal with the devil, I\u2019ll protect you.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
ENJOYING THE BOOK?\u00a0<\/p>\n
Give it a rating to show your support!\u00a0<\/p>\n
3\/4\u00a0<\/p>\n
That working Armani ad of a boyfriend\u00a0<\/p>\n
That walking Armani ad of a boyfriend\u00a0<\/p>\n
Violet\u00a0<\/p>\n
I opened the classroom door and stepped inside.\u00a0<\/p>\n
+25 Bonus\u00a0<\/p>\n
I stepped into the usual mix of chatter, clicking phones, and someone snoring quietly in the back. It felt like a typical college morning. Except, something was off.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The moment I walked in, every head turned. I froze, my fingers tightening around my bag as dozens of eyes locked\u00a0<\/p>\n
on me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I wasn\u2019t used to this. Normally, I was invisible, the quiet one. The scholarship student. The girl who always sat near the window with her nose in a book.\u00a0<\/p>\n
People only knew me as Penelope and Kai\u2019s friend, and only when they were around. The moment they left, I faded into the background. And I didn\u2019t mind. Being invisible was better than dealing with unnecessary drama. I had enough going on in my life, I didn\u2019t need more stress.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I looked around, trying to figure out what was happening, and then my eyes landed on her.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Riley.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She sat casually at her desk, legs crossed like a queen on a throne, that awful smirk on her lips, just like her mother\u2019s. Her arms were folded, and she was watching me like she was proud of something.\u00a0<\/p>\n
My stomach dropped.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She must\u2019ve told them everything.\u00a0<\/p>\n
They didn\u2019t even try to lower their voices. People were already talking around me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s her.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWho?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe girl whose boyfriend let her drown to save someone else.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWait, she was dating Matthew Sinclair? Didn\u2019t he graduate, like, two years ago?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, she was his girlfriend.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThis one? She\u2019s just a nerd.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah. And he saved Nora at the Sinclair\u2019s party. I mean, come on, Nora\u2019s gorgeous and delicate. I\u2019d save her too if I were him.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I didn\u2019t react to their words. I just stood there, my face calm, and unreadable. This wasn\u2019t the first time Riley had tried to humiliate me, and it wouldn\u2019t be the last.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She had spread rumors, tried to bully me, cheat me, twist everything she could. Give it a week or two, this would pass, just like the rest. There was no point wasting my time on any of them.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I turned toward the window seats, preparing to make my way to my usual spot, when a voice stopped me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou people must like running your mouths. If you used more of your brain cells than your mouths, the world might actually improve.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
1\/4\u00a0<\/p>\n
That walking Armani ad of a boyfriend\u00a0<\/p>\n
+25 Bonus\u00a0<\/p>\n
Everyone froze.\u00a0<\/p>\n
That voice.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I turned my head toward the doorway.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Penelope leaned against the wall, her black bob tucked behind one ear. A small tattoo peeked out from her neck, and another curled around her wrist. She wore a cropped white top, tiny black shorts, and a bomber jacket. Her arms were crossed, and the look in her eyes could\u2019ve set someone on fire.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Behind her, lounging like he hadn\u2019t a care in the world, was Kai. Hands in his pockets, sleeves rolled up to reveal full ink down both arms, hair messy like he just got out of bed and didn\u2019t give a damn what the world thought. His dark gaze scanned the room lazily.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAnyone want to say that shit again?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Several people looked down at their phones. Others shifted awkwardly in their chairs. No one said a word.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Riley frowned at them, rolled her eyes, and looked away.\u00a0<\/p>\n
If I had to describe my friends in one word?\u00a0<\/p>\n
Crazy.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The kind of crazy you don\u2019t mess with. The kind of crazy that makes even the boldest bullies shut up and back off.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Penelope was what people liked to call a psychopath with eyeliner. Beautiful, terrifying, and always one second away from throwing a punch. If she picked a fight, she\u2019d probably win it. And if she didn\u2019t?\u00a0<\/p>\n
Well, she had Kai, her boyfriend, a man who would burn down the world for her.\u00a0<\/p>\n
People at school called them the Psycho Couple.\u00a0<\/p>\n
We\u2019d known each other since we were kids. Our parents were close, so we spent a lot of time together growing up.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Even after I lost my parents, Eleanor\u2019s mom wanted to take us in, but my aunt wouldn\u2019t allow it. She made herself look like the perfect guardian in front of the court. Behind closed doors was a different story entirely. But there was nothing anyone could do. And besides, I didn\u2019t want to burden anyone.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cNow you\u2019re all quiet, huh?\u201d Penelope snarled at the frozen classroom, cracking her knuckles. \u201cYou better start apologiz-\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I grabbed her wrist gently and gave her a small smile.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s talk outside.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She frowned, annoyed. \u201cWait, wait, I still have a lot to say-\u00a0<\/p>\n
I didn\u2019t let her finish, I was already dragging her out of the classroom. Kai was still standing there, staring at everyone like he was posing for a picture.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I rolled my eyes and grabbed his arm. \u201cYou too.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
We reached a quiet hallway near the east wing, far from curious eyes. I sighed, finally letting go of their hands. Before I could say a word, Penelope stepped forward and pulled me into a tight hug.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHuh?\u201d I mumbled, frozen for a second.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I glanced at Kai. He just tilted his head like, really? You\u2019re surprised?\u00a0<\/p>\n
2\/4\u00a0<\/p>\n
Powide Acases at of a ly\u00a0<\/p>\n
+26 Bonus\u00a0<\/p>\n
Oh. So they already knew about it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I smiled faintly, returning the hug. Penelope, for all her wild temper, had always been soft with me.\u201cHey, I\u2019m okay.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kai leaned against the wall, arms crossed, watching us with a calm expression. Penelope pulled back and looked me in the eye\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been calling you, why didn\u2019t you answer your phone. I was so worried.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cSorry, I left my phone at the party. And I\u2019m okay, Pen, you don\u2019t have to worry about me.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cBullshit,\u201d she said instantly, \u201cYou were almost drowned, and that walking Armani ad of a boyfriend chose someone else over you.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I looked down. \u201cEx\u2013boyfriend.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She huffed. \u201cGood. He should\u2019ve been dumped years ago.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kai spoke up. \u201cYou want me to break his legs or something?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I waved Kai off. \u201cIt\u2019s not worth it. I don\u2019t want you getting involved with him. The Sinclairs aren\u2019t people you just mess with. Your dad would kill you if he knew you even tried.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He frowned, and Penelope\u2019s arms crossed tightly over her chest.\u00a0<\/p>\n
They got the message. As impulsive and insane as Pen and Kai could be, they weren\u2019t stupid.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Penelope exhaled sharply, tugging on the sleeve of her jacket. \u201cI called your brother last night. He told me you\u2019re staying at your uncle\u2019s. Why? That family is literal hell. That witch Riley and her Stepmom are going to make your life miserable.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kai nodded in agreement. \u201cJust stay with us. We have the space.\u00a0<\/p>\n
>>\u00a0<\/p>\n
I shook my head, scratching the back of my neck. \u201cIt\u2019s fine. I can deal with them for now. It\u2019s only temporary.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Penelope raised an eyebrow. \u201cYou don\u2019t want to stay with us?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I hesitated, not knowing what to say.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She stared at me for a second, then looked down. \u201cYou\u2019ve been like this ever since your parents died. You keep thinking you\u2019re a burden. When are you going to realize there are people around you who will never see you that way?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her words hit harder than I expected.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I looked at her, at Kai standing behind her with that lazy gaze of his that missed nothing. And I knew she was right. They would never see me as a weight to carry, but I was still scared.\u00a0<\/p>\n
When I was younger, my aunt drilled it into my head that people would always get tired of me. That I was a stray clinging to scraps. That anyone who cared for me would eventually walk away. I didn\u2019t want to lose them too.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll leave when I find a place,\u201d I said. \u201cI promise. It won\u2019t be long.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Penelope searched my face and nodded. \u201cOkay. Just make sure you take care of yourself, if that aunt of yours touches you again, I swear I\u2019ll end her.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d prefer if you didn\u2019t go to jail on my behalf.\u201d My eyes flicked to my phone. \u201cCrap. I\u2019m going to be late.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
3\/4\u00a0<\/p>\n
Th\u00a0<\/p>\n
www\u00a0<\/p>\n
Amante of boyfrend\u00a0<\/p>\n
+25 Bonus\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re always so uptight,\u201d Kai said, placing a hand on my head and ruffling my ponytail. \u201cDon\u2019t run, shorty. You\u2019ll trip and bruise your already ugly face.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I swatted his hand away. \u201cYou deserve a punch to the face.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you threatening your best friend?\u201d he grinned.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cTry me, dumbass.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Penelope pulled me into another hug. \u201cWe\u2019ll see you later, okay?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I nodded, squeezing her tightly before letting go. \u201cGo to class before you get kicked out again.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Then I turned and sprinted down the hall. I was almost at the corner when my foot caught on something, and I stumbled forward. I didn\u2019t fall. A hand caught my waist, steadying me. My breath hitched, and I looked up into familiar brown eyes.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Mr Roman.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cM\u2013Mr. Roman\u2026\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He tilted his head slightly, his hand still firm on my waist.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is the second time I\u2019ve had to catch you, Miss Violet,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019m beginning to wonder if you\u2019re doing it on purpose.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
ENJOYING THE BOOK?\u00a0<\/p>\n
Give it a rating to show your support!\u00a0<\/p>\n
P\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Nights Burn With Regret \u2014 by Nathan Perez 30 That was still happening?\u00a0 Of course I hadn\u2019t seen a dime. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[83],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-27946","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-craving-the-guardian-novel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27946","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27946"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27946\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27946"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27946"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27946"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}