My Unrequited Love For My Guardian

Harper Miller I was just ten years old when I watched as my parents' coffins were solemnly lifted, their faces hidden from view forever. Their lives ended abruptly in a plane crash while en route to a meeting. Meanwhile, I found myself in the care of Mr. Benjamin Cooper, a close friend of my father's from childhood. Initially intended as a short stay, my time with Mr. Cooper stretched into several years as he became my legal guardian following my parents' tragic passing. In my youthful naivety, I clung to the hope that my parents might one day return, but as the years passed, reality sank in. I slowly came to terms with being the lone survivor of the Miller family. I was never formally adopted by Mr. Cooper, though the reasons remain a mystery to me. Nevertheless, his love for me was unwavering. He was a kind-hearted man, much like my own parents. A successful businessman, his days were often consumed by work, but he always made time for us – for me, Amanda, and Atlas. Atlas, the e

I’m not entirely sure how I ended up in the same bed as Patrick. Neither of us intended for it to happen, but we were both in need of affection, and the drinks we had earlier certainly played a part in our decision. I’m still uncertain if I’m happy about what transpired between us, but at that moment, it felt right.I shuddered as his fingertips caressed the exposed skin of my back, tracing a tantalizing path from the base of my neck down to the small of my back. With eyes closed and teeth gently biting my lower lip, I lay prone, my hands gripping the crisp white sheets beneath me.His touch wandered further, his palm grazing my bare bottom before settling on my thigh, eliciting a sharp intake of breath from me. As his hand inched closer to my most intimate parts – still aching, dripping, and sensitive – anticipation hung heavy in the air, mingling with the remnants of our earlier passion.Leaning in close, his voice husky with desire, he murmured, "One more time?" With a weak smile,

The Impact of Childhood Adversities on Criminal Behavior. I wrote this title at the top of my register, underlining it twice for emphasis. This was the topic I had chosen for my final semester capstone research. It felt both daunting and exhilarating to take on such a significant subject. I tapped my pen against the notepad, contemplating the weight of the words I had just written. This would not be an easy journey, but the importance of the research propelled me forward.As I mulled over the title, Jess, who was sitting beside me, glanced at the notepad and smiled. “That topic sounds very interesting,” she remarked, her eyes gleaming with curiosity. “Do you have any supervisor in mind? There are only a few professors who specialize in forensic psychology, and you’ll need someone with the right expertise to guide you.”Her question lingered in the air as I considered my options. The university’s forensic psychology department was indeed small, and the competition for supervisors was f

The next morning, I dragged myself to class feeling utterly worn out and famished. Sleep had been elusive, my mind consumed by perfecting my proposal. I had been so excited about my ideas, but as I pored over them again and again, flaws emerged like cracks in a fragile facade. I was too tired to fix them properly.The idea of facing Dr. Lawson after class made my stomach churn with nerves. What if he didn't like my proposal? The thought of having to redo everything under Dr. Thompson's critical eye made me shudder. Dr. Lawson was the one I wanted to impress, the one who could truly understand and support my research.My stomach growled loudly, a painful reminder of my neglected hunger. I hadn't eaten since who knows when. With my first class not until ten, I had managed to snatch a few hours of sleep before waking up to the presence of Atlas and Eva in the house. I stayed hidden in my room, unable to bear the sight of their affectionate moments. Each glimpse felt like a knife to the h

As Atlas mentioned, Eva did leave on Friday, and her absence somehow made me feel free. Since she moved in, I haven't left my room without a reason. I used to enjoy strolling through the garden behind the house, but since she arrived, I've mostly stayed locked in my room. Today, Atlas came home early because he had to drop her off at the airport. He asked if I wanted to join them, but I politely declined. I wasn't going to waste my time dropping her off when I could savor every second of my newfound freedom. Besides, I would have been intruding on their moment. It's bad enough that I live with them. I'm sure Eva didn't want me to go either. She didn't ask me to join them—only Atlas did.I know I’m painting her as the villain in my story, even though she hasn’t done anything to deserve it. She has been nothing but civil to me. It’s me who ignores her. I can’t stand her because she has what I’ve always wanted: Atlas. Knowing that I never stood a chance hurts, and maybe that’s why I harb