I swept my hair up into a haphazard top knot, a habitual morning ritual that felt almost robotic. It was too early to contemplate anything beyond the messy bun. The dreaded school uniform clung to my frame—the black skirt riding just above my knees, its fit both too loose and too snug. A navy-blue button-up shirt neatly tucked in, its sleeves rolled to my elbows. I stood before the expansive mirror that dominated my bedroom wall, noting my averageness. Average height, hair cascading to my lower back, eyes a subdued gray, and a smile perfected by years of braces in middle school. Not strikingly beautiful, nor the center of attention. I hadn't ventured on any real dates yet.

Skipping downstairs, I found the kitchen deserted—mom already off to work. I sipped hot coffee, nibbling on a bagel, my gaze drifting to the calendar. Only 58 more days until freedom. I swallowed two small blue pills, grabbed my keys, and headed to St. Bernford High School—a place that felt more like a labyrinth for the intellects. School mornings were a struggle; the monotony and rigidity grated on my nerves.

Navigating the bustling halls, I felt like a ghost as people jostled past, oblivious to my presence. I held my breath, weaving through the crowd, until finally exhaling as I slipped into the back of my English class. Today's lesson on Shakespear failed to capture my attention; my mind was consumed by the bombshell my mom dropped yesterday.

"He's back."

Cade Wilson. He'd been a thorn in my side since toddlerhood, three years my senior and relentless in his mission to aggravate me. Sent off to some strict, high-priced military academy during his sophomore year, courtesy of his parents' tough love approach. Before that, he'd been wild—partying, disappearing for days, and sinking into the wrong crowds.

As the day dragged on, each class a tedious blur, I found myself sitting in my car after school, staring out the window without focus. As the day dragged on, each class a tedious blur, I found myself sitting in my car after school, staring out the window without focus. My mom told me that tonight we have to go have dinner with his family. His mother and mine have been best friends since they were kids. They lived on the same block back then. Lucky for me that means I see him way more than I would have liked. The impending dinner with Cade's family loomed like a dark cloud. My mom's insistence on maintaining her lifelong friendship with Cade's mother meant I couldn't escape his presence.

Turning the key, I started the car and took the scenic route home, stalling for time. Parking slowly in the driveway, I noticed my mom's absence—she must still be at work. Perhaps this was my chance to concoct a convincing excuse to skip dinner.

After rushing upstairs, I shed my clothes and stepped into the shower, letting the ice-cold water send shivers across my skin. A cold shower always calmed me down, leaving me feeling refreshed. Reluctantly, I finally coaxed myself out and began to get ready. I slid into a white set of panties and a matching bra, the water dripping from me onto the marble floor.

As I exited the bathroom, I heard the door open—probably just my mom, I thought. But in my room stood a tall figure near my desk, eyes fixed on the scattered college paperwork. Instinctively, a blood-curdling scream escaped me, and I hurled the closest thing at hand—a pillow. It smacked him square in the face before falling to the floor.

The tall, muscular figure turned, wide-eyed, as I took in his messy brown hair and piercing light eyes scanning my body.

Cade.

There, in my room, stood Cade. I froze as his gaze lingered on me. It suddenly dawned on me that I was only in my bra and underwear. Panicking, I swiftly turned and dashed back into the bathroom, locking the door behind me. Leaning against the cold marble, I struggled to catch my breath, trying to calm my racing heart.

"No, not now," I whispered to myself, fighting off the familiar signs of a panic attack that threatened to overwhelm me. The soft knock on the bathroom door made me flinch, but I closed my eyes, steadying myself against the fear gripping my chest. Cade was still outside, waiting.

"Vien," his deep, husky voice broke the tense silence from the other side of the door. I remained silent, hoping he would leave. A string of curses muttered under his breath followed, and then heavy footsteps receded down the hall. I sat on the cold floor for what felt like an eternity, unsure if my legs could support me if I stood.

"Vien!" My mom's voice suddenly rang through the house.

"What!?" I yelled back, hastily pulling on a hoodie before slipping out of the bathroom.

"Hurry! Get ready, we leave in 20 minutes!" Her urgency sent a jolt of panic through me. I didn't want to be anywhere near him. I threw on some faded jeans and headed downstairs, finding my mom bustling around the kitchen. She turned to face me, her expression stern.

My mom had been a single parent, pregnant at 19 after my father had abandoned her. I resembled her closely—blond hair, nondescript colored eyes, dimples, and high cheekbones.

She was in her late thirties, with faint wrinkles around her eyes, but otherwise, she was flawless. She had always been there for me, my best friend who helped me through the panic attacks and anxiety. I hated seeing her worry about me, but I knew it came from a place of deep care. That's what mothers do—they worry and love you unconditionally.

"You can't go like that," she insisted, gesturing disapprovingly at my outfit. She looked immaculate in her pencil skirt and floral blouse from work.

"Why not?" I protested, frowning. The last thing I wanted was to dress up and attend some fancy dinner.

"It's a formal dinner at a high-end restaurant. Most of the Wilson family will be there," she explained firmly, guiding me back up the stairs. There was no arguing with her, was there?

She was in her late thirties, with faint wrinkles around her eyes, but otherwise, she was flawless. She had always

"You can't go like that," she insisted, gesturing disapprovingly at my outfit. She looked immaculate in her pencil skirt and floral blouse from work.

"Why not?" I protested, frowning. The last thing I wanted was to dress up and attend some fancy dinner.

"It's a formal dinner at a high-end restaurant. Most of the Wilson family will be there," she explained firmly, guiding me back up the stairs. There was no arguing with her, was there?

"Which dress?" I asked softly, and my mom gave me a warm smile.

"The black one from that wedding we went to," she replied. I groaned inwardly but headed to my room obediently. Slipping into the dress and matching heels, I emerged reluctantly.

"You look beautiful, Vee," she complimented with a bright smile. I returned the smile, not wanting to escalate any tension. If it were up to me, I'd have chosen jeans. After all, the Voss family was practically our own. Why dress up for a dinner welcoming back Cade?

"I get it from my mom," I joked lightly. She chuckled as we got into her car and drove off to our destination.

Cade's POV

I sat at the dinner table, absentmindedly kicking my feet under it. I hadn't wanted to come out tonight, but my mom insisted. It seemed ironic, considering she was the one who pushed for military school in the first place. Now that I was back home, she wanted to make a spectacle of it, inviting the whole extended family.

Mom chatted animatedly with Dad, while my older sister leaned against her husband, his hand gently resting on her pregnant belly. Meanwhile, I sat there, feeling disconnected. Aunts and uncles exchanged stories I struggled to follow, while my cousins droned on about school dramas that seemed trivial to me. My mind kept drifting back to Vien. Three long years had passed, and she still occupied my thoughts more than anything else.

When I left, Vien was just a kid I enjoyed teasing—short, with braces. Now, though, she was something else entirely. Not that she had ever been unattractive, but now she was stunning. Her curves, that perfect smile, and those eyes—wild gray and captivating.

Damn it, Cade, snap out of it. She's just a girl. A girl who's practically family, like an annoying little sister I never had.

The clicking of heels interrupted my thoughts, and I looked up to see Nova and her mom taking their seats at our table. The waiter appeared, but I couldn't stop staring at Vien. She avoided my gaze, and for some reason, it irritated me. Was it because of what happened earlier at her place? It was accidental—she walked in on me, then I walked in on her in her room. But I couldn't shake her perfect image from my mind since.

"Cade look at you, you're all grown up" her mom said smiling at me. I smiled back at her; she was always there when I was growing up. She was my mother's best friend. Both her and Vien were there for family holidays, or just normal Sunday diners. They were part of the family.

"Thanks mam, you look beautiful as always" I told her, and she smiled at me.

"Charming as always." she said and went back to talking with my mom. Soon our food came, and I watched as Vien picked at her food. Eating bite here and there. It seemed like she felt my gaze and slowly looked up at me. Her cheek turned bright red as soon as are eyes connected. I smirked and watched as she squirmed in her seat. She looked back down at her food, slouching even more.

"How was Law school?" Alex asked me as he poured a drink for my sister. My sister and he have been married for two years now. But I feel like they were together for ever before that.

"It was fine," I muttered, focusing on my food. Law school had been a drag, but at least it landed me a decent-paying job and got me in stressful state due to papers and documents being thrown at me.

"Where are you planning on college?" Dad's question came with that look—answer carefully.

"Somewhere here" I replied

"Honey, Vivienne, what college are you planning to go to?" My mom's question aimed to shift attention away from me. I glanced over at Vien, curious about her response.

"Um, maybe Halcyon University ," she replied, stumbling over her words and nervously playing with her fingers, cracking her knuckles absentmindedly. She always did that—cracked her fingers, her hips, legs, and spine. When we were younger, I used to tease her about it, telling her she'd break her bones or they wouldn't work when she got older. She believed everything I said back then; I was older, and she trusted me.

"Halcyon University? Don't you have to be smart for that?" The words slipped out before I could stop them. It's a problem I've always had—speaking before thinking. I blurt out whatever thought pops into my head, especially around Vien. She just makes me so nervous.

"GPA of 4.6. I don't know if your brain works, but I'm pretty sure that's smart," Vien fired back. I heard groans from around the table, and I smirked at her, ready with a retort, but my sister smacked my arm. We always bantered like this—it was our thing.

The rest of dinner passed in silence from Vien's end. She picked at her food, taking occasional bites. Soon, dinner was over, and we stepped out into the cold, late-winter air. I noticed Vien shivering, goosebumps rising on her skin. Part of me wanted to wrap my arms around her, shield her from the cold, but I resisted the urge.

"Cade, stop thinking like this," I scolded myself internally. "She's just the girl who's annoyed you all your life, the one you teased and picked on. Whatever this is, it's not feelings. It's probably just because I haven't seen her in three years."

"Cade, it's nice to have you home," Dina said warmly, giving me a hug. As we pulled away, she nudged Vien, who stood nearby.

"I'm not hugging him," Vien muttered to her mother.

"Have some manners," Dina insisted, gently pushing Vien towards me.

"Mom," Vien hissed, which only made me smirk.

"No goodbye, Vien?" I teased, meeting her fiery glare with amusement.

"Bye," she replied curtly, turning away. Her hair flicked over her shoulder as she walked toward her mom's car, hips swaying in a way that tightened my chest with a familiar sensation.

"Bye, Dinklehead!" I called after her, relishing in her muttered response as she slammed the car door shut. Dinklehead—my nickname for her since she was five and I was eight. She despised it, which only made me love using it even more.

"Ah, just like the old days," Dad remarked, and I shot him a quizzical look.

"What do you mean?" I asked, feeling their eyes on me as if I were missing something obvious.

"You know, teasing her because you like her," my sister chimed in, earning a glare from me. She'd always teased me about Vien.

"I don't like her; she irritates me. It's just fun pushing her buttons," I insisted before heading to my motorcycle and riding back to the house. I was temporarily staying in my parents' basement to settle in after returning home, but I planned to move out soon.

As soon as my parents arrived home, I intended to leave.

"Where are you going?" Mom asked, concern evident in her voice. She probably worried I might be reverting to old habits.

"Out," I replied, not wanting to worry her. I had no intention of getting wasted like I used to; I was simply going out with some friends. There would be no drugs, and probably no alcohol.

"Out where?" she persisted, not letting me off so easily.

"With some friends I haven't seen in a while," I assured her, and she sighed. I knew she was concerned that I might revert to my old partying ways, but I was determined not to.

"Which friends?" she asked, her brow furrowing.

"Don't worry, Mom, it's just Lionel and Richie," I reassured her, and she smiled.

"Be back before morning," she instructed firmly.

"If anything changes, I'll call you, even though legally I don't have to," I added, and she chuckled.

You'll always be my baby boy," she said fondly. I smiled and waved goodbye. I understood why she worried. There had been a time when I'd gotten myself into some pretty stupid situations.

One whole week had passed, and I hadn't seen Cade, which I was more than thankful for. It was Saturday, and I was supposed to hang out with my friend Nicole—well, my only close friend. Leggings and a baggy old hoodie were my go-to outfit. I didn't feel like dressing up because Jenifer and I were just going to slump around her house, probably watch a bunch of scary movies all night, and eat a bunch of junk food.

As I got ready, a song lyric popped into my head, "IM YOUR LITTLE BUTTERFLY~~" setting the mood for a chill day ahead.

My phone went off again. I scrambled around the room looking for it and finally found it on my bed. It was Jenifer calling. Her caller ID picture was one of us from a Roleplay we did—me as Juliet from Romeo and Juliet in a dress that was Royal-like, and Nicole as Romeo. We've been friends since first grade, ever since my first panic attack on the first day of school. Despite being complete opposites, we’re incredibly close.

Jenifer is a tall 5'8", thick dark-haired beauty with olive skin and perfect chocolate eyes framed by long lashes. She’s outgoing and friendly, able to walk into a room full of strangers and make friends within ten minutes. In contrast, walking into a room full of people makes me stop breathing, avoid all eye and skin contact, and hope not to freak out. Jenifer has loads of friends, but she still chose me to be her best friend. I have no idea why she did, but somehow, our friendship works.

"Hey, Hottie!" Nicole's voice blared through the phone speaker.

"Hi, Jen," I replied, continuing to get ready.

"It's like 8 p.m. and you're still not here," she whined, sounding like a little kid.

"Sorry, I was just about to leave," I told her, though I wasn't quite ready yet.

"I'll be waiting! look cute, okay?" she yelled before hanging up. I sighed, grabbed my keys, and headed out. The drive to her house was a quick 15 minutes. When I arrived, I parked in front of her huge ranch. Jenifer is an only child and her mom remarried a guy named Todd

I walked into their house like I always did, feeling at ease because they were all like family to me.

"Hey, Nic!" I yelled through the ranch. I heard loud footsteps as Nicole came running, a big smile on her face.

"Hey Hottie, Guess what I got us!" she shouted, jumping up and down like a kid on a sugar high. But honestly, she always seemed overactive, bursting with energy that never seemed to run out. I often wondered how she managed to have so much energy all the time.

"What?" I asked, following her to her bedroom

"The new The Avengers movie!" she yelled, still bouncing as she turned on the streaming service. "It is rumored they will revive some characters" she declared with a serious face.

I smiled, agreeing with her. "I wish," I said, while settling on her bed

"I'll get the snacks; you get the blankets!" Jenifer said, darting off to the kitchen. I ran to her room to grab her  blanket, and as I did, I noticed her wall covered in pictures of us from when we were young till now. I smiled, Something also caught my attention...A picture of me with a paper on the back as I was about to grab the paper Jenifer came and told me "Hey, got the snack lets go"

As we hurriedly went up stairs

I plopped onto the bed, just like Jenifer. During the movie, my legs ended up draped over Jenifer's, and we both yelled at everything that happened in the movie. The inner fangirls in us couldn't stay quiet. I had a huge Snickers bar, taking pieces off and munching on them.

Suddenly, there was a commotion as people barged into the house, shouting and yelling about something.

"Vivienne!" a deep voice called out. I looked up to see Lucius, flashing his cat smile at me.

"Get out luc" Jenifer said in annoyance

"Cade, you know—" Lucius began, but Cade cut him off.

"Vien," Cade said, looking at me with a mix of anger and guilt in his dark eyes.

"Cade," I whispered, retreating back to the couch next to Jenifer.

"Well, didn't you miss Dinklehead over there?" Lucius joked, flashing a smirk.

"So much," Cade replied sarcastically, As he turn to lucius looking angry "and I'm the only who can call her that"

"Okay dude, chill" Lucius said while raising his hands looking like a scared cat

"No," I said firmly, giving him a stern look, which only seemed to amuse him.

"Come on, Dinklehead," he teased, As he sat down next to me.

"Why are you here?" I asked, trying to push him away.

"Why are you here?" he countered, pushing himself closer to me.

"I'm here to watch a Movie with Jen," I said, glaring at him. "And you're ruining it."

"Relax, I'm just messing with you," he said, leaning back. "Can't I hang out with my friends too?"

"Not if you're going to act like this," I shot back.

Jenifer, sensing the tension, jumped in. "Cade, Leave or behave."

"Fine, fine," he said, raising his hands in mock surrender. "I'll behave."

Lucius laughed. "Alright, let's all calm down. Cade, if you can't be nice, you're out."

Cade sighed but nodded. "Okay, I'll be good."

I gave him one last skeptical look before settling back in. Jenifer restarted the movie, and I tried to focus on the Movie, hoping Cade would keep his word and not ruin our night.

"What's up with you and Lucius?" Cade asked, his lips brushing against the skin of my neck. The touch sent shivers down my body. I had never had a guy this close to me before.

"Why does it matter?" I asked, but being the dumb girl I was, I tilted my face up to look at him. I didn't realize how close he was, and my lips brushed against his as I turned. I jumped, almost falling off the couch if he hadn't had his arm around me.

"It matters because you're too innocent for him," he said, smirking down at me. He seemed to find amusement in the situation. My brain couldn't wrap around his words. What did he mean by too innocent?

"So, what are we watching?" Lucius asked, sitting down next to me on the left side as Cade remained on my right.

"Avengers," Nicole said, munching on chips. Nothing fazed her; she was still absorbed in the Movie.

I shifted uncomfortably between the two guys, trying to refocus on the screen. "We're on the first 15 minutes," I added, hoping to steer the conversation back to the show.

"Ah, okay cool," Lucius said, settling in. "Mind if I join?"

"Sure," Jenifer said, waving a chip in the air. "Just don't talk during the good parts."

"Got it," Lucius replied with a grin.

Cade, however, didn't seem as interested in the show. He leaned closer to me, his breath warm against my ear. "You know, Lucius's not the right guy for you," he whispered.

"And why is that?" I asked, keeping my eyes on the screen.

"Because he doesn't see you the way I do," Cade said softly, making my heart race.

I didn't respond, feeling a mix of confusion and curiosity. Jenifer laughed at something on the Movie, breaking the tension. I tried to focus on the episode, but Cade's words lingered in my mind, making it hard to concentrate.

Jennifer glanced over, raising an eyebrow, and said, "If both of you are just going to hover, then just leave." She signaled for me to move next to her.

As I was moving toward Jennifer, Cade grabbed my hand and said, "How about by my side?" His smirk annoyed me.

"No, come here," Jennifer insisted, standing up and pulling me next to her.

"Come on," Cade said, but Jennifer shot him a look that said she wasn't backing down.

I sat next to Jennifer, feeling a rush of relief to escape the tension. Jennifer wrapped an arm around me protectively. "Let's just enjoy the show, okay?" she said, giving Cade a pointed look.

Cade rolled his eyes but stayed silent. As the episode continued, the atmosphere relaxed a bit. Jenifer , still absorbed in the Movie, handed me a bowl of popcorn.

"Thanks," I whispered, taking a handful. Jennifer squeezed my shoulder reassuringly, and I leaned back, finally feeling a bit more at ease.

Cade kept his distance for the rest of the night, and I focused on the episodes, grateful for Jennifer's intervention.