GwenAfter the school closed, I found Leo and we got on the school bus together. I took my usual seat, next to the window, while he sat beside me. Leo was so focused on playing a board game on his phone. I nudged him. "Can't you stay away from this game for even a minute?""I can't. I think this game's my mate.""What!" I laughed loudly. "Are you for real? You must be in love with it then.""You can't imagine. I love the way it forces one to think." "Good for you. At least your affections for it are genuine." "Uhm," he answered, still on his phone and not looking up. "Can I join you guys?" A high-pitched voice asked. Leo And I lifted our faces in unison to see who was asking. "Josh!" Leo's mouth dropped. "Why not? Sit please." Leo moved while I adjusted as well. The seat was meant for two but it could take three and we didn't mind sharing. Josh is Katherine's brother. I remember he used to be nice to me when we were kids. He was the kid who helped me when I fell close to a web of
Jasper Why does he have to come back? I was so pissed. He thinks he can come back and begin to poke his nose into my affairs. I didn't drive home. I needed a place to cool off. "What's up, man? Why is your face fucking red? Who got your face fried? " I walked into Orion who was having a chilly time in the pool with some girls in their swimsuits. His olive skin was warm and golden under the sun. His blond hair darkened as water plastered over it. On a good day, I wouldn't mind joining them.I dropped onto the lounger laying my head on the headrest. The shriek the ladies made was like pins being poked into my brain. I came here because I wanted quiet. Not this. They clamored around Orion. I couldn't take it anymore. "Would you all shut the fuck up and stop screaming like an alien ship?" I growled, loud enough to make the wine glass next to me rumble. The girls didn't think for another second before running out of the house with their clothes in hand.Orion gasped. "What the hell
GwenI dropped my hood, staring at my face in the mirror. Regularly looking in a mirror to check myself out wasn't my thing. But I couldn't stop but appreciate how glowy my face has become since faking a mate bond with Jasper. Being near him is enough to make me merry and notice little changes. What happened after I dropped off the School bus confirmed to me that he would want us to go to school and go back home together. The thought of being with him in the car five times a week was thrilling. Today while he drove me to school, his scent caused me pleasurable shivers. I caught myself leaning in to take in more of his scent. I couldn't help but continue to love his scent. It was giving off a mixture of cedarwood and a hint of musk. I could do anything to smell this earthy and woody mix every day. A loud sound in the bathroom startled me."And who do we have here? PMP's soon-to-be Luna!" Lisa kicked the bathroom door with her feet again. She scowled. "I told you to reject him but y
Gwen"What happened to you?" Jasper asked. He looked dazed.I was waiting for him close to his car after the school bell rang. "I fell. Yeah—I fell.""Fell? What kind of fall will leave you with bruises on those parts of your face." He leaned closer. Maybe he could smell my lie. "I don't believe you. It looked like you were in a fight." "I didn't fight. "I said, "I fell through a flight of stairs." He narrowed his eyes. Not saying another word, we got into the car. I thought he had let the issue slide. "Who laid a hand on you?" I hear him ask. He stared ahead while he drove. "No one." "Don't lie to me!" He growled. He was driving fast now. "Tell me the truth. What did I tell you about anyone who threatened you, huh?"I cowered on the passenger's seat, too close to the door. I could force the door open right now with the way my weight leaned on it. "You said I should report to you.""Do you take me for a fool? That I wouldn't be able to recognize wounds from a fight or a beating o
JasperI pulled a chair from the terrace beneath the large tree just beside the house. I needed to clear my head after today's drama at Lisa's colony. I just had a good swim in the pool but I needed some fresh air on this side of the house. A kid ran in my direction. "Hey, Jasper.""Ethan, hey." He gave me a high five. "Being a while. What have they been feeding you?" I hugged him. He's all grown now. When he left he was ten but now he looked bigger than a twelve-year-old. He laughed. "Good to see you, Jasper. I missed you.""I missed you too," I said. He was my favourite kid, I liked him so much. Whenever Katherine was coming over to my house, she brought him along. That's how we got so close. Even after what his sister did and her death, my affection for Ethan remained. "How are your parents?""They are fine. I have tried visiting you several times but Josh stops me." His shoulder quaked. "He said he would punish me if he ever saw me with you.""Don't worry about that. Let me give
Gwen When I discovered that the book Leo took was the one with the paper containing the terms and conditions of Jasper's arrangement, my heart was in my mouth. This was not good. Although I felt bad that I was keeping the truth away from Leo, I didn't want him to find out like this and it was too soon for him to know.The more time I waste thinking of how to retrieve my book, the greater the risk of the truth being discovered. I grabbed my clothes and now here I am at the Ember Twilight colony. I hoped Leo hadn't started copying the notes. I greeted his parents and flew up the stairs, surprised that I could run despite being punched badly in my belly today. There was no time to knock on the door. I barged in. "Leo, have you started copy—"No one was in the room. But my eyes quickly darted to his reading desk. There it was. I moved quickly in that direction. I opened the book and discovered the paper wasn't there. My heart began to beat fast. I could feel sweat gather on my cheeks
Gwen Jasper would kill me for being sloppy.I walked as fast as my leg could carry me. I start to run but my belly hurt. I had to slow down. The medications I had taken must have worn out and I was too distracted right now to think of them. I increased my pace again. When my house came into view, I stopped in my tracks and immediately turned backwards. I ran in the opposite direction hiding behind a tree. I hope he didn't see me. Jasper was on his phone. The hair on my nape and arms lifts. Why was he in my house? And he didn't even call me? I watched him put his phone away in his pocket and walk on the route that would lead him home. Perhaps he's found out! This is not good. I tried to breathe but found no breath. This is a pure hot mess. I just messed myself up. Thanks to my carelessness, my life just got worse. I remained behind the tree, hitting my forehead on its bark repeatedly."You would ruin your pretty face at this rate." Although not in the mood for pleasantries, I ha
Gwen Apart from the bruises on my face. I looked much better than yesterday. I waited for Jasper to come pick me up. But he didn't show up. It was getting late. There was no way to follow the school bus because it had already left. I contemplated whether I should check up on him or use a cab to school since I was running late. I picked out my phone to message him. Hi. Hope you're good. Waited for you but you didn't show up. I tapped on send. There was no blue tick. Indicating that he wasn't online to see it. I decided to check on him. I was worried. Not hearing from Jasper got me more concerned about what my mother said yesterday. She said he looked distressed. "Gwen!"I was surprised to see Josh coming my way. "What are you doing here?" I asked. He smiled. "I should be asking you. Aren't you supposed to be in school? ""You as well."He nods. "Okay me first. I got back home to pick up Ethan's Atlas. He forgot it. I told him not to worry, that I was going to get it for him. Wh