The library is quiet, illuminated only by the soft glow of desk lamps and the scattered light from the windows, where moonlight spills in, casting gentle shadows on the rows upon rows of books. I'm nestled in one of the cozy corners, surrounded by stacks of textbooks and notes. The faint rustle of pages turning and the soft tapping of keyboards create a calming rhythm that helps me focus on my studies. I take a deep breath, inhaling the familiar scent of old books and polished wood, trying to drown out the distractions swirling in my mind.
I've only been here for two hours, initially intending to head back to my dorm room to sleep earlier. But after finding Cat... indisposed, I quickly rallied my things and came back. I'd much rather deal with assignments than whatever Cat was up to right now. The thought irks me; I adore her, but with Robbie? I can't help but feel a shiver run up my spine.
I flick to a new page, pen in hand, ready to dive back into my notes when a familiar voice breaks through the silence. "Tori?" I lift my head to see Sam waving from a few tables away, a smile I've grown fond of since our first class together several weeks ago lit up their face.
"Hey," I say softly, feeling a grin spread across my lips.
Sam waves again and traverses their way around one of the tables to my sheltered corner. "You uh—what is all this?" they ask, rummaging through the many book titles and textbooks surrounding me.
"Studying," I answered half-heartedly before flipping my book shut. "But it's a pretty dead end."
Sam shrugs off their leather jacket and sits down, their thigh brushing against mine sending a little tingle through me. "What are you working on?" they ask, glancing at the now-closed textbook in front of me.
"Just trying to wrap my head around this poetry analysis," I reply, pushing a few stray strands of hair behind my ear. "It's tougher than I thought."
Sam hums and nudges my thigh playfully. "Ugh, poetry," they groan, leaning back against the bookcase. "That's a whole vibe I can't handle. How about a break?"
I quirk an eyebrow but don't respond, instead leaning to grab another book. Sam chuckles and snatches the book from my hand.
"Nope! Not until you answer me. You could clearly use it."
I pout but relent. "So what were you thinking?"
Sam climbs to their feet and offers me a hand, which I take. Our fingers interlock, and I struggle to my feet, my legs aching from sitting so long without moving.
"A party. One of the frats is hosting; it should be fun!" Sam chirps, already stepping around the mountain of books, wiggling their eyebrows.
I hesitate, the thought of a party stirring a mix of excitement and anxiety within me. It's exactly the opposite of my usual scene. Sure, I love singing, dancing, and my group of friends, but mixing that with alcohol and a bunch of strangers? "I don't know, Sam. A party?" I pause, sliding my hands into my pockets. "But I've got all this work to do," I say, glancing back at my notes and gesturing nonchalantly.
Sam sighs dramatically, leaning against the bookcase with a hand over their forehead, their band tee wrinkling at their waist. "Come onnnn, you can't let college stress you out like this," they urged, their eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "You need to unwind a bit! Plus, I heard it's supposed to be a great time. What do you say?" They drop their arm and step back, narrowly missing the corner of the table.
"Pleeeease. Just this once? And I won't ever ask you for anything ever," Sam grins and mumbles, "Or for the next twenty-four hours until we're getting coffee."
After a moment of contemplation, my resolve starts to waver, and a smile lights up my soft features. Maybe I do need a break. "Okay, fine." Sam fist bumps the air like a dork, making me giggle. "Just for a little while," I concede with an eye roll.
"Awesome! Let's get you changed," Sam says, reaching out a hand to me.
What? There's nothing wrong with what I'm wearing. I huff and open my mouth to argue, but they're already leaning over to grab my things.
So I sigh and help. With books in tow, we make our way back to my dorm room, Sam complaining the entire walk about how their arms are going to drop off. Because clearly, they're the heaviest things in the universe and how dare I put this amount of pressure on them and so on and so on.
I laugh at the remarks.
Thankfully, no one is in when we get there. Cat's bed is neatly made, with her stuffed animals all lined up again, but the place is oddly empty. I notice Sam's eyes go a little wide at the decor but quickly focus on me again.
Once inside, I rummage through my closet, tossing aside various clothes until I settle on a black crop top paired with high-waisted jeans and a light cardigan. "What do you think?" I ask, holding the clothes out to Sam. They frown.
"Anything else?" I frown back at them and drop the clothes onto the bed.
"But I like those clothes," I whine with a pout, sitting next to them on the crumpled duvet.
They smirk and leans over me to start rummaging through the wardrobe.
"You've gotta have something good in here, sunshine." My face flushes, and I lean back to watch them tug things out.
Eventually, they pull out a loose plaid skirt with a black crop top, and I gasp as Sam starts taking off their leather jacket and holds it out to me.
"It's supposed to rain, so here." I glance at the clothes, then back at them. They're avoiding eye contact, and I gratefully take it.
"Thank you. Now turn around, hm?" They wiggle their eyebrows but face the door, keeping their back to me. I watch their muscles tense under the white vest and notice how firm they look. The lines in their back and slightly toned arms, all the way up to the little star tattoo they have on the back of their neck.
"Nearly done?" They inquire, tilting their head.
I lean forward and smack their ponytail, knocking their black hair over their shoulder.
"Eyes front." Sam chuckles and focuses back on the door.
I slowly slip out of the jeans and tug on the skirt, not failing to slide on some fishnets as well. I swap out my top, then finally pull on their jacket. It's a little big on me and drops to my thighs. My face is beat red when I finally let them look. I give them a little twirl, and they grin at me, eyes shining.
"Perfect." their eyes linger on my form, and drag slowly up before landing on my face.
"Give me one more sec." I walkover to Cat's mirror and line my lips and eyes. Doing the bare minimum, but it looks pretty.
Feeling more confident, I glance at the pink mirror one last time. I look... Pretty? I remark. With a quick spritz of my favorite perfume, I grab my phone and keys, and we head out.
As we walk across campus, the night air is cool, carrying the distant sounds of music.. The Theta house stands out among the others, adorned with twinkling lights that cast a warm glow over the lawn. Students mill about, and more than one of them are throwing up on the grass. I wrinkle my nose, lock arms with Sam and walk up the steep steps into the ancient building.
My heels click on the stone, which is immediately hidden as we step through the doors.
"Let's go!" Sam exclaims, dragging me forward, through throngs of people towards the drinks. I follow, of course.
The atmosphere is electric, and my heart races.
Inside, the music thumps loudly, and the rooms are packed with people dancing and chatting. A wave of nervousness washes over me, but Sam leads me deeper into the crowd, weaving between familiar faces and new ones.
I step up to the makeshift bar, and Sam is behind me, towering over me with ease. They grab us drinks and happily take the little plastic cups. I take mine nervously, and hold the cup.
Not saying I'm a prude or anything, I've just never had alcohol.
Sam leans down to my ear after downing theirs, and tries to talk to me. Shouting almost as the music vibrates through us. I lean back with a laugh, holding onto their bicep with my left hand.
"I can't hear you!" I yell, having to get impossibly close to their face for them to understand.
Their smile is bright, and their wandering eyes confuse me. They linger in places before I'm being pulled along. I stumble and my gaze starts to wander around the room. That's when I spotted her - Jade, standing in a small group with Beck. Jade's hair falls effortlessly over her shoulders, her laughter ringing out like music as she engages with those around her. Beck leans in, his expression soft, and I can't help but feel a pang of something. Jealousy, maybe? Jade leans into him, and kisses his cheek, he in turn wraps a firm arm around her waist.
Yep.
Definitely jealous.
A laugh bitterly. Feeling foolish thinking anything would be different.
I quickly shake the thought away, forcing myself to focus on the fun surrounding me.
"Hey, you good?" Sam asks as they press their cheek against mine, obviously noticing my distraction.
I nod.
"Yeah, just... taking it all in," I reply, trying to sound casual.
"Alright, let's dance!" Sam says, pulling me toward the dance floor, and I follow, allowing the rhythm to pull me in. As I move to the music, I steal another glance at Jade and Beck, and for a moment, their laughter feels like a bittersweet reminder of everything that's changed.
The music pulses around us, a steady beat that vibrates through my bones as Sam pulls me onto the crowded dance floor. The atmosphere is electric, with colorful lights flashing in sync with the rhythm, casting playful shadows on the walls. I can feel the heat rising as bodies move in unison, lost in the rhythm, the air thick with the scent of sweat, cologne, and excitement.
"This is what you needed, Tor!" Sam grins, their enthusiasm infectious as they twirl me around. I can't help but laugh, letting the joy of the moment wash over me. Their energy is contagious, igniting a spark in me that I didn't know I was missing. Their hands find my hips, pulling me in, and I notice how good they smell. Like pine and sandalwood, mixed with a tang of something. I blush, their larger hands find home on me, keeping me close as I sway back and forth. Sure we're getting looks from strangers, but who cares? This is the most fun I've had since arriving here.
As I find my groove, I let loose, swaying my hips to the beat. Sam mirrors my movements, matching my energy with their own, their laughter bright against the backdrop of the music. The way they move, unrestrained and carefree, draws me in even more.
"I'm glad you brought me here!" I shout over the music, my heart racing and not just from the dancing.
"Best decision ever!" Sam replies, their eyes sparkling with excitement as they lean closer, their voice rising above the thumping bass. They spin again, and I follow suit, our movements becoming more exaggerated as we get lost in the moment. I swear the music gets louder, and the seconds get faster with every beat. I swallow drink after drink, every movement flowing so damn easily. I can't help but get lost amongst everyone.
The beat shifts to a faster tempo, a heady mix of rhythm and bass that makes my heart race. I grab Sam's hands, pulling them closer as we leap into a more energetic routine. Which probably looks a lot more awkward than it feels. With my head starting to feel fuzzy I cling onto them even more. Forgetting about she-who-must-not-be-named. We bounce on our feet, letting the music guide us, and I can't help but let out a squeal of delight. The floor feels like our stage, and I'm more than ready to perform. I'm in my element.
"Let's show them how it's done!" Sam shouts, their face lighting up with mischief. I nod eagerly, our playful competitiveness kicking in. We break into a silly dance, throwing our arms in the air and twisting our bodies in exaggerated motions, drawing amused glances from those around us.
I laugh, so free and carelessly as their arms wrapped around me. Strong, strong arms, so secure, powerful. I lean into them.
With every laugh and every spin, I feel more liberated, the worries slipping away. I'm here with Sam, who makes me feel like I can truly be myself. The connection between us deepens as we share this joyful moment, a dance floor where all our insecurities melt away.
We weave through the crowd, moving like we're the only two people in the room, the chaotic energy of the party swirling around us. The bright lights flicker in a kaleidoscope of colors, illuminating our faces as we dance. I spot a few friends from my classes, their surprised faces morphing into wide grins as they recognize me.
We find ourselves stumbling out into the hallway, our breath coming in short, ragged bursts, mingled with laughter. I lean against the cool wall, trying to catch my breath, while Sam presses themselves against me, their body warm and firm. I chuckle, still riding the high of the dance, and lean into their shoulder, feeling the weight of the night's excitement. But as I pull back slightly, Sam's face is suddenly closer—closer than I expected.
Before I can fully process the shift, their lips crash into mine in a heated kiss, stealing the air from my lungs. I gasp softly against their mouth, but it quickly turns into a whimper as their hands slide down my sides, pinning me in place. My heart races, a mix of surprise and desire, and I instinctively wrap my arms around their shoulders, fingers tangling in their hair. At some point, their ponytail must've come loose because I can feel the silky strands slipping through my hands, and I tighten my grip, pulling them closer.
The world around us seems to disappear, the noise of the party fading into the background as I lose myself in the intensity of the kiss. It's needy, raw, and I can't get enough. I want more. More of Sam's taste, more of their touch, more of everything. My mind is a blur of heat and adrenaline as I arch into them, the pressure of their body against mine igniting something deep within me.
But then—a loud cough cuts through the haze.
We break apart, breathless and dazed, our lips lingering as if reluctant to let go. Sam tries to lean back in, but another cough interrupts us, this time sharper, more insistent. Confusion flits across Sam's face, and they pull back fully, a frustrated groan escaping their lips. I blink, slowly pushing Sam away as my eyes adjust to the sight before me.
Jade.
Wait—Jade? And Beck? My heart skips a beat as I glance between them, trying to make sense of their sudden presence. Just a minute ago, they were on the other side of the room, laughing together. Now they're here? And Jade... oh no. She's angry.
Jade's sharp, emerald eyes are fixed on me—or maybe on Sam—no, definitely on both of us. Her expression is a perfect storm of fury and something else I can't quite place. She stands with her arms crossed, her posture rigid, and her lips pressed into a thin line. Beck is standing behind her, looking uncomfortable, his hands shoved deep into his pockets as he glances away, clearly not wanting to get involved. He rubs the back of his neck awkwardly, as if trying to pretend he didn't just witness what he did.
Sam's hand comes up, resting casually against the wall by my head, their body still close to mine. "We're busy," they say coolly, not even bothering to look at Jade as they lean back toward me, their eyes full of mischief, ready to pick up where we left off.
Before they can kiss me again, though, there's a sharp shove, and Sam stumbles back a step. Jade is suddenly right there, so close that I can feel the heat radiating off her. She smells like lavender and honey, an intoxicating mix that clashes with the sharpness of her presence. It's dangerous. She's dangerous. There's something about her that feels like a knife, sharp enough to cut with just a look, and right now, she's directing all that sharpness at Sam.
"Jade, come on. Leave them alone," Beck says from behind her, his voice soft and pleading. I catch his eye for a brief moment, and he looks as lost as I feel. He gives me a small, apologetic shrug, like he's been down this road before.
But Jade isn't listening to him. She's standing between Sam and me now, her body tense and her eyes locked on Sam, glaring at them with such intensity that the air feels thick with unspoken tension. My heart is pounding, confusion swirling in my chest. What the hell is going on?
Sam straightens up, brushing off the interruption with a cocky smirk. "Problem, West?" they ask, their voice laced with challenge. I can feel the tension rising, the room closing in as the air between them crackles with animosity.
Wait West? They know each other? The thoughts rocket out of my head as Jade takes a step closer to Sam, her hands balling into fists.
Jade doesn't answer. She hasn't said a single word to me all semester, despite our shared classes and the few awkward encounters in passing. But now, now she chooses to get involved? Now she chooses to interfere, and for this?
I force myself to push past her, my shoulder brushing hers as I step closer to Sam. My brown eyes lock with Jade's emerald ones, and for a moment, I can feel the tension rolling off her. There's something intense in the way she looks at me, like she's trying to say something without words. But I don't have time to figure out what, nor do I care with the cold shoulder she's been giving me.
I link arms with Sam, feeling the steady presence of their warmth next to me. As I pull Sam with me, I notice the flicker of anger that flashes across Jade's face, her eyes narrowing as her lips curl into a sneer.
"Are you fucking kidding me, Vega?" she spits, her voice dripping with venom. "This?" She gestures toward Sam with a mocking wave of her hand, as if this—whatever this is—means something. As if it's supposed to make sense to me.
I freeze, the words hanging heavy in the air. What does she mean by this? Why does she care? The confusion in my chest deepens, twisting into something sharper, something that feels a lot like hurt. I stare at her, waiting for an explanation that never comes. Jade's glare hardens, but beneath it, I catch a glimpse of something else—something raw and almost vulnerable. It flickers in her eyes for just a second before it's gone, replaced by her usual mask of indifference and disdain.
Sam shifts beside me, their body tense, clearly ready to snap back with some sarcastic retort. But I'm too caught up in Jade's words, too caught up in trying to make sense of what's happening.
"Let's go, Sam." We make a move to pass the infuriated Jade when she grabs my arm.
The memory hits me like a wave, sudden, vivid, and completely uninvited. It pulls me back to that day, a few years ago, in the cramped janitorial closet at Hollywood Arts.
It was late afternoon, and the school hallways were deserted. We had been paired for some group project, which was already tense enough considering Jade's constant glares and my awkward attempts at breaking the ice. Somehow, during a break, Jade had stormed off, and I'd stupidly decided to follow her. She ducked into a janitor's closet, and before I knew it, I was standing in the doorway, unsure if I should leave or push my luck.
"What do you want, Vega?" she snapped, her voice sharp as ever. She stood there, arms crossed, bathed in the dim yellow light from the single bulb that flickered above. Her black hair was pulled back in a messy bun, and her dark eyeliner made her emerald eyes stand out even more in the shadowed space.
I don't know what possessed me to step inside. Maybe it was the challenge in her voice or the strange, magnetic pull I always seemed to feel around her.
"Jade, I just—" My voice faltered, unsure of what I was even doing there.
"You just what?" she interrupted, stepping forward until there was barely any space between us. Her presence was overwhelming, and in the tight confines of the closet, it felt like she was everywhere. "You're always... following me around. You drive me insane, Vega."
Her eyes were burning into mine, and for a second, I forgot how to breathe. It was like every word, every interaction we'd ever had was building up to this strange, electric tension. I wanted to explain myself, but words failed me.
Instead, I did something I didn't fully understand until it was too late. I reached for her, my fingers barely brushing her wrist. It wasn't meant to be much—a small, hesitant gesture—but the effect was immediate.
Jade's breath hitched, her eyes widening just a fraction before she pushed me hard against the wall, pinning me in place. My heart pounded in my chest, both from fear and... something else.
"Do you have any idea what you're doing, Vega?" she asked, her voice low, a mixture of anger and something more. Her face was so close now, her lips only inches away from mine.
I opened my mouth to respond, but the words were stuck in my throat. The air between us felt heavy, charged with an intensity I wasn't prepared for.
Without warning, she closed the distance, her lips crashing into mine with a force that left me breathless. It was messy, unplanned, and entirely Jade—intense and consuming. Her hands gripped my waist, fingers digging into my sides as if daring me to pull away. But I didn't. Instead, I kissed her back, harder, my hands instinctively tangling in her hair, pulling her closer.
It felt like everything and nothing at once—a whirlwind of confusion, frustration, and something that felt suspiciously like longing. But before I could fully process it, Jade pulled away, her breath coming in short, uneven bursts. She stared at me, her expression unreadable, before quickly straightening herself out.
"This never happened," she muttered, not meeting my eyes. And with that, she slipped out of the closet, leaving me alone in the dark, my lips still tingling from the unexpected kiss.
I stood there for what felt like hours, my head spinning. What the hell had just happened?
I come back into my body with her hand still gripping me.
Now it's my turn to glare.
Her grip tightens around my arm, and for a moment, I can feel the heat radiating off her. Her nails dig slightly into my skin, but it's not the discomfort that makes my heart pound harder, it's the intensity in her eyes. That raw flash of emotion I caught earlier is back, but this time it's closer to the surface, barely hidden beneath her fury.
"No, Jade," I repeat, my voice stronger this time. "No." I pull my arm free from her grasp, and the space between us feels like a battlefield. I'm not backing down this time. I've spent too much time trying to figure her out, trying to understand why she gets under my skin. But this? This is ridiculous.
Sam stands next to me, arms crossed, watching Jade with a mix of amusement and irritation. I can feel the tension building in them, but I place a hand on their arm, silently asking them not to escalate things. Not yet.
Jade's chest rises and falls quickly, her breath sharp and shallow. "You're really doing this? With them?" she snaps, her eyes darting to Sam and then back to me, like she can't believe what she's seeing. Like I've crossed some invisible line that only she's aware of.
"Why do you even care?" I ask, my voice softer now, confusion and frustration bubbling to the surface. "What does it matter to you?"
She scoffs, rolling her eyes like I've just asked the dumbest question in the world, but the bitterness in her expression falters for a split second. "It doesn't," she mutters, but even as she says it, I know it's a lie. The way she's standing here, seething, tells me that it matters a whole lot more than she's willing to admit.
I take a step forward, closing the distance between us. "Then stop acting like it does."
Her jaw clenches, and for a second, I think she's going to snap back with another cutting remark, but instead, she just stares at me. Her eyes are dark and conflicted, as if she's at war with herself over something she can't quite put into words. And I don't get it. Why is she so mad? Why is she always mad?
I glance at Sam, who's watching the exchange carefully, clearly ready to jump in if Jade tries anything. But I can tell this isn't about Sam. This is about something deeper, something between Jade and me that's been simmering.
The hallway feels suffocating now, the noise of the party muffled behind the thick walls, leaving the three of us in this strange, tense silence. Jade opens her mouth like she's about to say something, but then she closes it again, her lips pressing into a thin line. She looks away, her gaze flickering over my shoulder before settling back on me.
"You don't get it, Vega," she finally says, her voice quieter now, but still laced with that familiar edge. "You never get it."
I blink, taken aback by the sudden change in her tone. There's something in her words that stings, but I don't know why. What don't I get? What am I missing?
"Then explain it to me," I say, my frustration giving way to something softer. "Because all I see is you getting wazzed off over nothing."
Jade's eyes narrow, but this time it's not in anger. It's something else. Hurt, maybe? No, it can't be. She doesn't let people get to her like that. Not Jade West.
But she doesn't explain. She just shakes her head, her face hardening again. "Forget it," she mutters, stepping back and breaking eye contact. "Do whatever you want."
The words hang in the air, heavy and loaded with all the things she's not saying. I want to push her, to make her tell me what's really going on, but at the same time, I don't know if I'm ready to hear it.
Sam tugs gently on my arm, pulling me away from the tension that's still crackling between us. "Come on, Tori," they murmur, their voice calm but firm. "Let's go."
I hesitate for a moment, my gaze lingering on Jade, who's staring at the floor now, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. She's shutting down, retreating into that cold, untouchable version of herself that I've seen a hundred times before.
I turn to leave with Sam, but I can't shake the feeling that something important just slipped through my fingers. Something I wasn't supposed to miss.
As we walk down the hall, the music and laughter from the party slowly growing louder again, I steal one last glance over my shoulder. Jade is still standing there, frozen in place, her expression unreadable. Beck by her side, as per usual.
But something tells me this isn't over.
Not by a long shot.
As Sam and I make our way down the hallway, the energy of the party starts to creep back into my awareness—the music pulsing through the walls, the distant sound of laughter and conversation. But my mind is still stuck in that moment, replaying Jade's words over and over. "You never get it."
I don't get it. I don't get her.
Sam leads me through the crowded living room, dodging people with an ease I admire. Their hand rests gently on the small of my back, guiding me toward the door. But as we step outside, the weight of what just happened presses down on me harder. Feeling like a million tonnes on my chest. I heave a breath and stumble down the steps.
"You okay?" Sam asks, their voice soft but cautious, like they're not sure how I'm feeling after the confrontation with Jade.
I nod, but the motion feels mechanical. My mind is still racing, trying to make sense of Jade's reaction. Why did she care so much? What was she trying to say? It's not like we're close or anything. We don't talk. So why was she so angry?
Sam stops walking, turning to face me, their dark eyes searching mine. "You sure?" A concern twinge to her voice gets me to smile.
I sigh, rubbing my forehead as if that'll somehow clear my thoughts. "Yeah, I just... I don't know what her deal is."
Sam scoffs, rolling their eyes. "Her deal is that she's a jealous control freak who can't stand seeing anyone else happy."
I flinch at the word jealous. Jade? Jealous? Of what? Me and Sam? That's ridiculous. Isn't it? She has Beck.
"Do you think that's what it is?" I ask, my voice quieter now, unsure.
We walk around the side of the house, to a quieter area.
Sam shrugs, leaning casually against the brick wall of the house. "I mean, it's not like she's subtle about it. The way she was looking at you? She might as well have had it written on her forehead."
I blink, processing what they're saying. The thought seems almost laughable, but the more I think about it, the more that flicker of vulnerability in her eyes starts to make sense. My heart beats louder.
"Doesn't matter," Sam says, pushing off the wall and stepping closer to me. "She's not worth your time, Tori. Let her stew in whatever messed-up drama she's got going on."
Sam's words are meant to comfort me, but they don't. Not entirely. I've always written off her attitude as just part of who she is, but what if there's more to it?
"Yeah," I mumble, but I'm barely listening to myself anymore. My mind is still back in that hallway, still locked on the look in Jade's eyes when she said, "You never get it."
We continue walking, the campus paths mostly empty now except for a few late-night stragglers heading back to their dorms. Sam keeps talking, trying to lighten the mood, but my focus is scattered. I appreciate the effort, but my thoughts keep drifting back to Jade—her mean words, her anger, the way she grabbed my arm like she couldn't let me go.
Sam stops suddenly, pulling me out of my reverie. "Okay, spill."
I blink, confused. "What?"
"You're not listening," they say, crossing their arms. "And you've been in your head ever since we left that stupid party. So, what gives?"
I hesitate, not sure how to explain the mess of emotions tangled up inside me. "It's just... Jade. I don't understand why she acted like that."
Sam raises an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. "You're seriously still thinking about her? After all that?"
"I don't know," I admit, running a hand through my hair. "It just doesn't make sense. She doesn't talk to me, and then she's suddenly pissed because I'm—because we're—" I trail off, the words feeling awkward on my tongue. "You know what I mean."
Sam sighs, shaking their head like I'm missing something obvious. "Look, Tori, I like you, okay? But if Jade's gonna mess with your head like this, maybe you need to figure out what's going on between you two first."
The honesty in Sam's voice catches me off guard. They're right. As much as I hate to admit it, there's something unresolved between Jade and me.
"I'm sorry," I say, feeling a weight settle in my chest. "I didn't mean to drag you into... whatever this is."
Sam softens, offering a small smile. "Hey, it's fine. I'm not mad. I just want you to be sure about what you want."
What I want? I look at Sam, their easy smile, the warmth in their eyes, the way they've been there, supportive and understanding. And yet, there's this pull, this gravitational force that keeps tugging me back toward Jade, no matter how much I try to fight it.
"I'll figure it out," I say, more to myself than to Sam. I have to. Because Jade's words, her anger, her jealousy—it's all pointing to something I've been too scared to confront.
And it's about time I face it.
Upon that realisation, rain starts to pour.
I decided to update again today! It's written and I was too happy with it to not post, so here you go! Another chapter! I got a little carried away so It's nearly six thousand instead of the four lol.
I'll post the next one when I get hmm 10 reviews! I'd love to hear back from any of you, comments, criticism, anything!
Thanks a lot for reading it this far :)
