~Summer~ I fell asleep on our way back to Mountain and did not wake until someone carried me. The gentle sway of movement and the familiar scent of sandalwood enveloped me, signalling that Sebastien had scooped me up. The clock had long struck past midnight, and the party's festivities had drained me thoroughly. Sleep, it seemed, was inevitable. Refusing to open my eyes, I snuggled into Sebastien's arms, nestling my head against his chest as he effortlessly carried me into the house. The thumping beat of his heart against my ear resonated through me, and at that moment, I couldn't decipher whether it was the lingering excitement from the night's events or something more profound. Though technically awake, I chose to keep my eyes shut. There was an unspoken understanding that if I were to open them, Sebastien would likely insist I walk into the house and up the stairs on my own. Logically, I was perfectly capable, but something about being in his arms felt undeniably right. As he

~Winter~ Summer had fallen asleep when we got home, but I couldn't. I just couldn't. Noah's words rang in my head, and honestly, I was excited and nervous at the same time. I also didn't miss his conversation with his brother on our way home. They said something about trouble and were planning to call Ethan, who I later learned was their younger brother. I just hoped it was a false alarm. When we arrived, Summer knew, but she continued to pretend she was asleep. I almost called her out on it because it was too damn funny, but I let the matter rest seeing how Sebastien decided to carry her bridal style into the house. I guess that was what she wanted. I really hoped for her sake they would work out and not end up in the mess I ended up in with Brandon and Leslie. "Want me to carry you too?" I heard Noah say, snapping me out of my deep thoughts, and I smiled and shook my head. "I can walk," I said, and he chuckled. "Not for long," he said and walked ahead of me into the house. I

~Winter~ "Leaving?" Noah said, eyes boring into mine. I swear he made me feel like running and hiding. He had a way of staring so deep that I'd feel naked in his eyes. I shook my head, speechless, hoping that summer would come to my rescue, but she was as tongue-tied as I was as she did not utter a word. "Where are you two off to?" Sebastien asked, and Noah stepped forward, making me and Summer back away into the house. Honestly, the truth was we were trying to escape meeting their mother. "To..to the orphanage to ensure things are running smoothly." I managed, and Noah smiled, knowing my reasons were otherwise. "Is that why you didn't bother to eat lunch? You should eat after everything," He said, reminding me of what we did. It was as if he had triggered something because the memory of what he did and said flooded my mind, and I pressed my thighs together. It was subtle, but he noticed, and it made him smirk. "Come on, let's eat and then we will go to the orphanage, after wh

~Noah~ It all happened fast. I casually spoke the truth, and I didn't anticipate the profound impact it would have on Winter. In the blink of an eye, her expression transformed from curiosity to disbelief, and the shock was unmistakably written across her face. I had assumed it was just another piece of information, something that wouldn't mean much to her, but I was wrong. As the gravity of the revelation settled in, Winter's eyes widened, and before we could grasp the severity of her emotional response, she fainted. The suddenness of it all left me momentarily frozen, but instinct kicked in, and I rushed to her side. Meanwhile, Summer, who sat by her side and held her in those brief seconds, let go and stepped back, her eyes reflecting a mix of concern and surprise. My parents, equally taken aback, stood up, their expressions a mix of worry and confusion. I knelt down beside Winter, gently cradling her head in my hands. It was surreal to witness someone so composed and collected

~Noah~ "Come on, let's head back home for now. We can catch up with my family later," I said to Winter as I cradled her in my childhood bed. She met my gaze. "You're not off the hook yet. There's still a lot of atonement on your agenda," she remarked, sitting up. I chuckled. Rising to a sitting position, I embraced her from behind, securing her close to me by the waist. Planting a tender kiss on the nape of her neck, she let out a sweet moan. "I do not like to owe, Conejita. I will pay up, I promise," I said, and I felt her body shiver under my touch. It was good to know I had that effect on her. As stubborn as Winter could be, she felt fragile in my arms. She got out of bed, and I did the same. "I want to go to the orphanage instead," She said, and I frowned. I intended to take her home and pay up, but how would I do that at the orphanage? "To pack your stuff?" I asked her, and she chuckled. She looked so pretty, and something was different about her laughter. I could see i