Nicole

Raine stopped by my locker the next day as I prepared for my next class. She looked formidable, with her short blond hair straightened to perfection, her uniform fitting her perfectly, and her lips colored in deep red. I automatically straightened.

"Need some help?" I asked warily. Raine and I do not interact whatsoever outside of dance class, where she bossed everyone around. Her sudden presence had my nerves skittering uncomfortably.

She slipped her hands into the pockets of her blazer. "Yeah, I have a question for you."

"Shoot."

"How do you know Travis?"

I was taken aback, and my question slipped out suddenly. "Why?"

She shrugged, attempting nonchalance. "We're neighbors, and I just got curious, that's all."

"Okay."

She bit her bottom lip and shifted from one foot to the other. "Are you guys, like, dating?"

I shut my locker and focused on her, doing my best to not let my nervousness show. "Why are you so curious?"

"I'm just wondering, that's all." Her flustered look had me wanting to bark out a stream of laughter despite myself. Raine Perkins looked flustered?

"Well, I have a class to attend." I gripped my books tighter against my chest. "See you around."

"You didn't answer me."

"I don't have to."

Her hand shot out, and she grabbed my shoulder, stopping me from walking away. My heart picked up its rhythm.

I looked at the hand on my shoulder, then at her face. "Let. Me. Go."

Raine shuffled till she appeared in my line of sight, not affected by my snarl and not letting me go. "If I were you," she said, eyeing me in a way that made my stomach crawl, "I'd focus on being a better dancer instead of cozying up with Travis."

With a sharp shrug, I jerked her hand off my shoulder. "How's any of this your business anyway?"

"Are you guys dating?"

"I don't owe you any explanation, Raine." My voice hardened. "Goodbye." I stalked away.

The uncomfortable feeling lingered over me till school ended. I wanted to tell my friends about the confrontation, but I couldn't bring myself to.

What was Raine's problem? What did she want?

***

After a physics session with Jahdiel, I changed into a shirt and shorts. Travis's clothes hang neatly in my closet, but I couldn't bring myself to return them. At least, not now.

We took an Uber together, and Jahdiel dropped off at her junction while I continued to the Connors.

A stillness greeted me as I entered after Frances opened the door. She looked put together as usual, but her makeup was wearing off, revealing dark circles were under her eyes, as if she hadn't been able to sleep properly the previous night.

"Nellie is upstairs," she said softly, closing the door behind us.

"Okay, I'm going to see her right away."

"Do you want me to fix you some snacks before practice?"

Why did she sound as if she was intentionally diverting my attention from Cornelia? I mustered a polite smile. "I ate not long ago, but thanks a lot."

"Just a bite of a cookie, Blue." Surprise took over me at the sight of Travis sprawled on one of the living room sofas, a book in his hand.

"Hey," I waved a little, ignoring the little trip my heart did at the sight of him. "I didn't see you earlier."

"Ouch." He pulled himself up and strolled over to me. "I've got this, Mom." He laid a hand on her shoulder, but his eyes remained on me. "You should go to bed."

She gave a jerky nod and hurried away. Concern engulfed me as I watched her odd movements. "Is she okay?" I whispered when she disappeared.

He took my hand and led me to the kitchen. "Not really, but everything will be fine. What do you want to eat?"

"I'm not hungry."

"Stop it." He pulled open a cabinet and carried out a jar of sweet-smelling cookies. "These are fresh."

My palms felt clammy as I studied them. "Just one."

"Yes, ma'am." He set the cookie jar against the counter. Turning to face me, he settled his hands on my hips.

My breathing snagged. It was difficult to focus on anything else except his touch and how close we were now. "What are you doing?" I sounded disgustingly breathless.

He hoisted me up and set me against the edge of the counter. Splaying my legs apart, he stood between my thighs and stared hard at me. My throat went dry.

"Travis..."

"I just want to feed you, okay?"

I looked down, avoiding the concern in his eyes.

"I barely see you eat."

The hairs at the back of my neck stood to attention. "I do eat."

"I'm not saying you don't," he said softly. "But I barely see you do it. You're always refusing food."

I managed a shrug. "I don't have a big appetite, that's all."

His look said he didn't believe me, but he said nothing else and reached for a cookie. He brought it to my lips.

"Open up."

"I can feed mysel-"

The sentence went unfinished as he shoved the cookie into my mouth.

It was warm, crispy on the outside but soft on the inside, and I bit into it with relish. A vanilla and chocolatey taste bloomed on my tongue, and I let him put the other half in my mouth.

"Like it?"

I nodded, still chewing. "This is awesome."

"Want another one?"

"Sure."

He reached for the jar, picked another one, and carefully brought it to my lips. I took a moment to appreciate its buttery, chocolatey, vanilla scent. My mouth watered. I felt his hand trail gently against my spine as I eventually took a bite. My eyes fluttered shut. I chewed slowly.

He was caressing me while feeding me.

The feeling was unbearably amazing and comforting.

"Want me to get you another one?" he asked, sounding gentle.

My eyes were still closed, savoring the taste of the cookies and the peaceful bliss of his hand as it moved skillfully across my back. I nodded with a little hum of agreement, delirious.

"Do you want a milkshake?" he asked when I finished devouring the third cookie.

"Just a sip," I warned.

He agreed with a nod, trying unsuccessfully to hide a smile. "Just a sip."

I nearly protested when he pulled away and walked over to the fridge, missing his touch and warmth. He returned with a milkshake and brought the straw to my mouth. I took a testing sip and immediately sighed with contentment at its cool, thick, and creamy vanilla magic.

"This is so good." I looked up at him, squinted. "Hey, how did you figure I'm a vanilla girl?"

"It's because you're not a strawberry girl."

"That makes no sense."

"I think it does." He gestured to the milkshake. "Now, finish it."

My gaze dropped to the milkshake, suddenly wary. It was tasty as hell, and I was tempted to slurp all of its creamy goodness into my stomach. But I'd already made my way through three cookies. Was it wise to finish a milkshake, too?

"Go ahead, Blue." Travis's gentle voice invaded my anxious thoughts.

My stomach twisted into knots. I shook my head. "I think I've had enough."

"One last sip," he murmured. "Just one."

His hand went up against my back again, drawing soft circles. With a deep breath, I inched forward, drawing the straw into my mouth. His eyes fell on my lips as I sucked.

"Holy hell," he blurted after a minute. He closed his eyes, pressed a fist against them, and let out a puff of breath through his mouth. "Goddamn, Blue."

I watched him, a little confused as he stepped away. "Do you want a sip?" I offered.

He snorted. Then with a shake of his head, Travis leaned in, bringing with him a storm of sexual awareness. "Oh, you can offer something way better, don't you think?"

I didn't even have enough time to process the dangerous curl in my stomach at the sound of his low, husky voice.

Then his hands were all over me. Sweeping up my spine and upwards, the other brushed my cheek, trailing to the back of my neck.

Something within me stirred to life. I dissolved, wanting more.

His touch became more urgent. Demanding. One hand sneaked under my shirt. I let out a surprised gasp.

With a trembling hand, I set the milkshake far away from me, abandoning it as his other hand joined its twin under my shirt. Both hands palmed my naked back. I shivered, arching my back and pushing against him.

"Travis."

His hands were reaching higher and higher. With just a little sweep of his thumbs, they could touch the curve of my breasts. My breathing became harder, and I suddenly felt dizzy. I wanted him to, I realized with a wrecking shudder. I wanted... Oh hell, I wanted-

He retrieved his hands, dragging them over my stomach instead. My toes curled. My head lolled. With a shock, I registered the sound of my own, low moan.

My eyes darted to his lips; those soft-looking, pink temptations. I bit my own lip, saw as his eyes became more intense, the blue now stormy with desire. His hands dragged against my thighs. My body trembled. My eyes closed. I leaned forward.

He pulled back, immediately ceasing all activities. Surprise registered along with the rejection, and with an uncomfortable prickle along my skin, my eyes shot open.

He was breathing hard, jaw clenched. His hands left my body to grip the counter at either side of me, caging me in his arms. His voice was a low and husky breath along the side of my neck as he spoke near my ear. "You want me to kiss you?"

Yes!

Shit.

I focused on anything except his face, trying to even my breaths. "No." I was still reeling, and my shaky voice betrayed me.

"Liar. You wanted me to." His hand came to my neck, wrapping around it with a gentle force. My breath hitched as he tilted my neck to look at him.

I licked my lips nervously, and his eyes darted downwards to follow the quick action. "So what?"

Tilting my neck another inch, he swooped his head downwards. A soft gasp escaped from me as his silky hair brushed against my skin, the gentle scent of his familiar cologne and fruits from whatever shampoo he used drifting.

I could feel his warm breath against my neck, his nose and lips slightly trailing the length but never making contact with my skin. It was torture. "I refuse to kiss you outside of any committed relationship."

Oh, god.

I whimpered a little at his unfairness. Even as he said those words, his other hand had resumed its journey across my bare back. I bristled at the hypocrisy, but I was completely at his mercy here, and he knew it.

"Travis."

"Yes, honey?"

I tried clenching my thighs together, but even that was impossible since he stood between them. I clenched my teeth instead, biting back a groan as he ran a thumb downwards along my neck.

"You're evil."

He answered with a chuckle. "I refuse to let you use my body for free. I don't want you bragging to your friends how easy I am."

I reared back, sputtering. "That's the most ridiculous, sneakiest, lamest...! What the hell?"

He shrugged at my outburst, looking amused, and delivered a tantalizing touch that had my knees going weak and my body turning to lax. "I'm merely using my weapons to aid me in this battle," he drawled lazily.

"Oh, I can see that all right!" I couldn't help another shudder.

"So what's it gonna be, sweet girl?" He cocked his head. "Will you let me take you on a date and accept being my baby?"

A shaky breath released when his finger dipped into the waistband of my shorts. "You're being so unfair," I groaned, resting my forehead against his shoulder.

He hummed. "So, yes or no?"

I jolted, crying out a little as his hand brushed my clit tentatively over the fabric of my shorts. My eyes snapped to him sharply as a violent shake ripped through me. His intense gaze was already fixed on me, studying the play of emotions across my face.

I knew I was vulnerable, and I knew he could see it. I couldn't hide it even if I tried. My lips parted, wanting to tell him to do it again, just one more time. Just once, and I would shatter. I wanted to beg him to.

"No," was what came out instead. It sounded distant, as if I was in a dream.

He didn't push it. With a heaving chest and a sigh, he pulled back and ran his hands through his hair. "Take your time."

I didn't want to, but it had been only a day since the agreement to be friends first, and I had to stick to the goal.

***

"Who is there?" Came the annoyed grunt as I rapped on Cornelia's door later.

"It's Nicole."

There was a bit of shuffling, and after five minutes, the door opened to reveal a very grumpy sixteen-year-old with tousled hair, blazing eyes, and rumpled clothes.

"You're late," she snapped hotly. "I have things to do, you know? I hate my time being wasted."

I swallowed. It was difficult and also very unwise to tell her I'd been here right on time but had gotten carried away as her brother seduced me on their kitchen counter.

I took the coward's way out. "I'm really sorry."

She rolled her eyes. "Let's just get this over with." When I entered, she shut the door so hard the sound echoed.

Practice was hell. Cornelia barked orders and acted irritably throughout. I grew agitated. From how she'd acted yesterday, I thought we'd progressed a little bit, but I was obviously wrong. We were back to square one.

"Oh my goodness, you can't do this simple thing?" she bit out angrily when I missed a step in the middle of a drop and roll. "What can you do then?"

I sucked in a frustrated breath, closed my eyes, and counted to five.

"I'll be back tomorrow," I finally said with a calmness I didn't feel.

She bared her teeth in a sneer. "You're running away because you can't take criticism? Yeah, go ahead and run, and don't bother returning. Because you know what? I'm done with you! We're done!"

A pang shot straight through my chest so painfully I swear I staggered. "Thank you, Cornelia."

She huffed and stomped away.

I ignored the erratic beating of my heart and the lump that had wedged itself in my throat as I looked for my sneakers. This was my last meeting with her, and I had three more days to prove myself to the coach.

I found my sneakers, slipped my feet into them, and dropped to a squat to lace them.

I knew enough, but not everything. Well, I thought with an internal pat on my shoulder, I could make it nevertheless. I didn't need her anymore. I could make it.

A big lie. I couldn't make it. I still needed extra help. I needed her.

My heart constricted painfully at the thought. I yanked on my lace unnecessarily tighter. Tears stung my eyes. I wanted to beg her, but I couldn't. Cornelia's bitchiness exceeded its regular doses today, and I knew no amount of pleading would change her mind.

When I was done, I stood carefully. Then with a straight back, I walked away. At least I was keeping my dignity.

I heard a little sniff just as I turned the doorknob. Stunned, I halted and turned.

The sight that met me was so shocking my mouth dropped open. Cornelia Connor was sitting on the floor, her back against a wall as she cried hard, trying her best to not make a sound.

"What the-"

She glared ferociously at me through her tears. "Go away!"

Ignoring her order, I hurried over and huddled in front of her. "Are you okay?"

"Never been better, as you can see." A sob ruined the effect of her sarcastic drawl.

I reached out to touch her hand. She didn't jerk away and burn me with a glare, so I took that as a good sign. "You had a bad day, I assume."

A wobbly nod was the response.

"Wanna talk about it?"

She sniffed and angrily swiped a tear away. "Hell, I hate crying in front of people. Ruins your goddamn aura."

I gave a little chuckle. "We have that in common, I guess."

She looked at me with eyes that were wide with bewilderment. "You cry?"

"A lot, but when no one's looking."

"Damn. And here I was thinking you were a robot."

"Totally understandable."

"Until you saved Huxley. Your robotic nature reduced by three percent."

I chuckled again. "Wow, then I guess I have a very long way to go."

"You do." Silence fell, and another round of tears rushed down her cheeks.

"Aw, Cornelia..."

"Go away. You're just sucking up to me because you still want me to help you."

"I'm not sucking up to you," I said firmly. "I don't suck up to anybody."

"Well, I don't need your damn pity."

"It's a luxury I can't afford to offer either."

The moment my arm slipped around her shoulders, she burst into uncontrollable sobs that racked her whole body. "I don't want them to break up." Her whispers were a little choked with tears. "I want my mommy and daddy. I don't want to end up like the kids with divorced parents. It's my biggest nightmare."

"They won't divorce." I pulled her closer, rubbing soft circles at her back. It worked when Travis did it to comfort me, so I hoped it would work on his sister, too.

She shook her head, disagreeing with me. "But they will. My mom said it yesterday. She wants to leave him."

"Why?"

"He's a cheat, and he's an absent father." A tear trickled onto the front of my shirt. I felt its warmth as it soaked and came in contact with my skin. "My brother tries to be there for my mom and me to make up for his absence, and I'm not saying that's not good; it's great, really, but..."

"It's not the same," I finished for her. "You still want your father."

She pulled back, eyes shiny. For the first time, Cornelia looked like a broken little girl. "Am I horrible for wanting that despite my brother's efforts?" She looked so guilty I felt heartsick. "Am I asking for too much?"

I shook my head vehemently. "No, your feelings are perfectly valid."

Her head bowed. "Travis will be so hurt when he hears this. He'll feel as if he's not enough, but that's not true, I swear. He's the best of the best. It's just-he's my brother, and I want my father, too. I want my family to be intact."

I fell quiet as I processed everything. The truth was clear, and there was nothing I could say to comfort her. So I simply held her while she cried.

Minutes later, the door creaked open, and Huxley trotted to join us, placing his head in Cornelia's lap. She automatically reached out to stroke him.

When I lifted my eyes, I saw Frances at the doorway, a hand pressed to her mouth and tears in her eyes. She dashed away as soon as our eyes met.

***

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