"And I'm happy for them, but then again, I'm not."

FOUR IN THE MORNING AND STILL NO SLEEP, that's what was currently happening to me. I constantly turned around on my bed trying to find sleep in some way. From literally counting pigs, to making up scenarios on my head...but none of it worked.

My whole head kept on repeating what had happened yesterday. What happened to, Tate? Why did he left all of sudden? Why can't I stop thinking about, Steven? Those were the only questions rooming around my small brain.

A cold hand suddenly took a hold of my shoulder, making me turn around completely startled by the touch. As I looked back I was able to spot Conrad, looking down at me completely worried.

Nova: "Conrad? What are you doing here? It's four in the morning, you shouldn't be awake."

Conrad: "You're acting like you're not doing the same as well." -he whispered, taking a sit right beside me.

I sat up to be right beside him, seeing how his eyes looked puffed up. My face completely turned into a worried one, getting noticed pretty quickly by, the boy.

Conrad: "What?"

Nova: "Why were you crying?" -I asked, grabbing his hand in a hurry.

He interlaced it completely, pulling me into a hug carefully. His body was warm, something I had already gotten used to. Conrad, has always hated the coldness, he enjoys warmth way more then cold. To me, that sounds like an actual crime. His room once you enter turns into a literal heater, which makes us constantly have arguments over that.

Conrad: "I'm just sorry for being mean to you, I shouldn't be such an asshole to you."

Nova: "Hey, we're literally siblings...there's no way we wouldn't fight. You don't have to apologize, in fact, you were right."

Conrad: "About what?" -he questioned, pulling away from the warm hug to take a look at my face.

Nova: "Tate's an asshole."

Conrad: "What did he do?" -he asked in a hurry, quickly trying to stand up from my bed.

I took a hold of his wrist rapidly, pulling him down to my bed once again. My eyebrows raised up, almost warning him without speaking.

Conrad: "I won't fight him at four in the morning." -he said, making me nod in agreement.

Nova: "Thank you."

He stayed looking at me for a couple of seconds, almost looking for answers on my features. I couldn't help but look away from him, paying more attention to my window that was already starting to light up with the sun.

Nova: "What hour is it?" -I asked, tying my hair in a bun.

I heard ruffling from behind me, eventually feeling a tap on my shoulder. Looking back I noticed the boy, showing me the time on his phone.

Nova: "I gotta start getting ready for work, are you sure you're not gonna work at the club? They're still looking for more employees."

Conrad: "I'm good, Nova. I'll probably find a job sooner or later." -he reassured, rubbing my cheek gently.

He then stood up from my bed, zipping his hoodie slightly more up. His eyes darted towards my window, later on widening as if he had remembered something.

Nova: "You okay?"

Conrad: "I'm gonna go watch the sunrise, have a great first day of work." -he whispered, almost jumping excitedly while giving me a kiss on the cheek.

He then ran off, almost making me fear that everyone might've woken up over how loud his steps were.

Minutes later after finishing taking a shower, the sun had fully risen up. The ambiance was slightly warm thankfully, and I was also already hearing voices around the house.

I finished getting ready, deciding to quickly make my way downstairs. The voices slowly starting to get closer, instantly making me smile as I realized who they belonged to.

Laurel, sat on the kitchen bar, she was carefully reading something off of her computer. My eyes observed the rest of the kitchen, meeting with Jeremiah and Steven, who surprisingly tried making breakfast.

Nova: "This is weird." -I spoke, smiling over to Jeremiah, who was cracking some eggs.

Steven: "First of all, good morning. Second, why are you judging?"

Nova: "I'm not judging, Conklin. Y'all just look weird making breakfast, you've never done it before."

Jeremiah: "Correction...I look weird making breakfast. He's not doing shit, literally." -he laughed, signaling me to come towards him.

I walked towards Jeremiah, quickly being hugged by him. He then gave a death stare to Steven, who tried grabbing the plate with some of the cracked eggs.

Jeremiah: "Morning, starlight. I cracked those eggs for you."

Nova: "Aww, really?"

Jeremiah: "Of course! I'm currently making these but when I'm done I'll make yours." -he mentioned, twirling me around while seeing my work outfit.

Nova: "Stop you're gonna get me dizzy."

Jeremiah: "Sorry, you just look amazing." -he stated, receiving a quick kiss on the cheek from me.

Nova: "Thanks, Jere...also, once you get to work, please talk to my friend Ethan, he's new at the pool area."

Steven: "Isn't he that dude that's always had a thing for, Jere?" -he asked in between chuckles, receiving a glare from me.

He lifted his hands up in surrender, taking a hold of a cup filled with orange juice. I quickly took it from his hands, drinking from the glass as fast as I could. My eyes only grinned his way while seeing his shocked expression.

Nova: "That's for stealing both of my beers." -I whispered, making him smirk as he remembered.

Steven: "I'll pay you back, don't worry."

Nova: "Shut up." -I scoffed, walking towards the fridge in search for any fruits.

Thankfully, I was able to find a green apple inside. I smiled brightly by just the sight of it, later on once I turned around, I noticed Steven right behind, Jeremiah. He was practically on top of him while the blond one, cooked.

Jeremiah: "Do we really have to physically sit for our portraits? Can't she just, like, look at a picture on her phone or something?"

Nova: "Wait, today is portrait day?" -I asked, biting onto my apple while staring at, the two boys.

Jeremiah: "Yeah, Conrad's first.

Nova: "That means I'm second." -I said excitedly, smiling towards Jeremiah, who didn't look happy at all.

Jeremiah: "Okay, get out."

The blond one demanded, pointing at Steven who only smiled by how annoyed Jeremiah, was.

Steven: "What? Why?"

Nova: "Cause you're stinky ass is not letting him concentrate." -I teased, hearing Jeremiah's laugh resonate on the kitchen.

Jeremiah: "Yeah."

Steven: "Oh shut up."

Laurel: "She needs to see you in the flesh in order to capture your essence. While you're still young and full of hope." -she mentioned suddenly, but she sounded just like, Mom.

The two boys just stared towards Laurel, beginning to laugh mockingly over her comment.

Laurel: "Her words." -she smiled, glancing down completely embarrassed.

They only continued to laugh, looking over to me in search for a laugh or smile as well.

Nova: "Guys stop laughing, it's literally art."

Jeremiah: "Yeah I know. It's just that...well, Conrad, does not have hope, actually."

Nova: "What do you mean by that?" -I asked, while taking a sit on top of the kitchen's bar.

Jeremiah: "He's hopeless, but my hangover smoothie...it cures all."

We all smiled by the blond one's comment, later on hearing a scoff coming from the living room.

Conrad: "Can you please just hurry up?"

Jeremiah: "Just go back to bed, all right?"

Nova: "He was there this whole time?" -I whispered, receiving a nod from Steven who once again walked towards, Jeremiah.

Jeremiah: "All right, seriously, Steven, get out."

Steven: "Oh come on."

Jeremiah: "Get out. This is a delicate science, and your heavy breathing is gonna break the yolk."

Steven: "Okay, okay, okay." -he spoke, standing later on right beside me.

My eyes looked around the kitchen, admiring all of the paintings around the space. All of them done by Mom, who's extremely passionate about art. Thanks to her I got that passion as well, art has always been something I enjoyed. Mom, has always been an artsy and organized person, which I admire from her in so many ways.

Nova: "Why do you guys dislike portrait day so much? It's literally fun, and we get to know Mom, better as well."

Jeremiah: "I don't know, maybe cause it sometimes turns into a whole interrogating session." -he replied, instantly laughing while hearing Steven, holding in his laugh.

Laurel: "She hasn't painted you since you were little. I think I'd be nice to have these portraits for when you're older."

Nova: "Thank you." -I murmured while smiling at, Laurel.

Steven: "Old? No. When I'm older, I'm sure there'll be like holograms or something I can watch of myself, you know?"

The loud noise of the blender made me look over to Conrad, to make sure he was okay. He seemed startled but rested his head back still.

My hand was suddenly touched, making me glance back to Jeremiah's direction only to realize it was Steven, trying to gain my attention.

Nova: "What's up?" -I asked, pushing his hand away gently after feeling a nervous rush suddenly.

Steven: "Did you slept okay? Your eyes are a little swollen?"

I turned around to look at myself on the small mirror in the kitchen, soon after, noticing they were indeed slightly swollen but it's wasn't that bad thankfully.

Nova: "I couldn't sleep cause it's been a while since I had last slept on my bed here. It's kinda hard to get used to it once again."

Steven: "Okay." -he replied, nodding a couple of times while keeping eye contact with me.

I could've sworn he knew I was lying but decided not to confront me about it, one thing Steven's good at, it's figuring if someone is lying or not. How does he do it? I genuinely don't know.

Laurel: "Just sit for your portraits...I don't see Conrad, complaining." -she spoke, cutting off the silence surrounding the kitchen.

Jeremiah: "He'll complain when he's conscious. Hey. Here."

I watched how Jeremiah handled Conrad, the green smoothie. But I instantly got distracted by reading some of the stuff written in Laurel's computer.

Nova: "That looks pretty good." -I mentioned, smiling at the woman, who only scratched her temples out of frustration.

The other boys spoke amongst each other, allowing us to talk without being payed attention to. She glanced over to me with a shy smile, beginning to delete part of what was already written.

Laurel: "It's just an old draft, I hate it."

Nova: "What? No, that was beautiful!" -I insisted, fully opening my mouth while everything was being deleted already.

Steven: "Those old country club boomers are gonna tip me so hard, man, they won't know what hit' em."

My face instantly cringed by the sight, followed by a fake gagging noise made by me. Laurel, only sighed fully disappointed, continuing to roll her eyes.

Laurel: "Steven, I swear."

Steven: "What?"

Nova: "That was probably the most cringiest shit you've ever done." -I said, receiving the middle finger from, the boy.

Laurel: "She's right."

Jeremiah: "Come on, Laurel. My boy's got to get that bread."

Steven: "Thank you!" -he laughed, winking my way soon after.

I then looked away towards the house's entrance after hearing footsteps approach, quickly spotting Belly, making her way inside the kitchen.

Nova: "Belly!" -I cheered, running towards the girl, quickly.

She embraced me into a quick hug, looking over to Laurel, instantly. Her face had already a bruised formed just like I assumed, it was pretty obvious it was gonna happen.

Jeremiah: "Good morning."

Laurel: "Belly, where have you been? Is that a bruise?" -she asked worriedly, grabbing the girl's face gently.

Belly: "Um, I-I bumped into someone."

Laurel: "You bumped into someone?" -she questioned, looking over to me confused.

I shrugged my shoulders pretending like I didn't know the actual truth, seeing how the rest also stared around while acting completely oblivious.

Conrad: "Doesn't look that bad."

Nova: "It looks...badass." -I whispered the last part, making the girl, smile.

We then glanced Jeremiah's way, seeing how he was already staring at, Belly.

Jeremiah: "Um, cereal?"

Belly: "Yeah, hit me." -she agreed, swinging side to side nervously.

Jeremiah: "Sure."

We all suddenly heard rapid footsteps approaching downstairs, everyone just stared around the house confused.

Susannah: "Oh, my God!"

We then looked towards our right, seeing Mom, peek through the hallway with the brightest smile I've ever seen on her face.

Susannah: "Belly, is gonna be a debutante."

Nova: "Oh, my God! You said yes?" -I exclaimed, hugging the brunette one, quickly.

She only laughed by how happy we were, quickly getting hugged by Mom, as well. Everyone else just stared at us with different expressions, some seeming happy others disappointed.

Belly: "It's really not that big of a deal." -she chuckled, staring at me embarrassed.

Steven: "I'm sorry. Like, Belly? Like, my sister? Like, that thing right there?"

Nova: "No shit, Sherlock. How many times are you going to say "like" too?" -I argued, making him roll his eyes while laughing.

Steven: "She doesn't give debutante vibes to me, that's all."

Belly: "Shut up, cretin!" -she snapped, while grabbing a spoon to eat her cereal.

I then glanced over to Mom, seeing how happy she looked. I kept wondering why was seeing Belly, as a debutante so important to her? She wanted this to happen so bad, and her dream was coming true. I couldn't help but feel happy with her as well, seeing Belly, all dressed up will be beautiful just like her.

Susannah: "Okay, this is gonna be so much fun. Just you wait. There is, uh...there's the tea, the auction, the ball, of course, the rehearsal."

Nova: "Mom, calm down. You're going to stress Belly, out." -I joked, making Belly, laugh while she continued eating her cereal.

Susannah: "I got to write this down."

She then gasped out loud, making everyone look to her terrified over something bad currently happening but she still looked completely excited.

Susannah: "We need to go shopping."

Laurel: "That sounds...expensive." -she mentioned, scratching her neck awkwardly.

My eyes darted towards my Mom, seeing how her expression changed. She instantly flicked her hand off, walking towards the kitchen bar.

Susannah: "Oh, don't worry, Laur. It's on me. It was my idea after all, and we still need to style you for your book party, so..."

Laurel: "Belly, are you sure you want to do this? It doesn't seem very you."

Conrad: "It's not." -he spoke after a while, making everyone glance his way.

Susannah: "Conrad, could you please be a little more supportive?"

Nova: "She's right, I mean, this is a good opportunity for Belly, to explore Cousins more."

The boy, only stared towards the distance, making me look at Belly, noticing how nervous she seemed. I took a sit beside the girl, gently rubbing her back to comfort her without speaking and worrying everyone else. Her eyes instantly gave me a "thank you" making me smile at her reassuringly.

Susannah: "Now, which one of you is gonna be Belly's escort to the ball?"

Nova: "Can I be her escort? Please, please, please!"

Susannah: "Aren't you working that night, sweetheart?" -she asked, later on drinking from her coffee cup.

Nova: "Shit, you're right. Conrad, what about you?"

Conrad: "Not me, I already went last year."

I sighed out loud, glancing at Jeremiah, begging for him to be the right option. But his expression gave it away before he could speak.

Jeremiah: "Yeah, and I swore off balls."

Nova: "Ew...why do you guys keep saying such cringy and disgusting words?" -I questioned, making the two boys, laugh in front of me.

Jeremiah: "The dances, dude."

Belly: "Wow, guys. Stop fighting over me." -she joked, almost choking with her cereal soon after.

Nova: "Be careful."

She nodded continuing to laugh, only for her to glance back after swallowing her cereal carefully.

Belly: "Um, I'm not going with either of you. I am going to find my own date."

Nova: "So you wouldn't have gone with me?" -I asked, pretending to be offended.

Belly: "You would've been my only option if you were available." -she winked, making me chuckle.

Nova: "All right, I'm gonna start heading out. I'll see you two there later, right?"

Steven: "Yeah. Good luck, Merl." -he said, waving goodbye at me.

Nova: "Don't call me that."

Steven: "Okay, Merl." -he teased, receiving a glare from Jeremiah, who slapped him with the kitchen's spatula.

Nova: "I love you, Jere."

Jeremiah: "I love you more, sunshine." -he replied, flashing me a smile.

I kissed both Laurel and Mom, on the forehead. Eventually I headed out of home while waving goodbye to, Conrad.
________________________________
Hours and hours had passed and I was already thankfully on my break. There was a lot of people hanging out by the club due to today being "tea time" for the debutantes. I knew Mom and Laurel must be buying stuff for Belly, in a total hurry.

I walked around the pool area in search for Jeremiah or Steven, pretty much hoping to find my brother instead of my current heart enemy.

Ethan: "You won't believe what happened to me."

I looked to my right, seeing the pink haired boy, walk right beside me with the biggest smile ever.

Nova: "What happened to you?" -I asked, stopping in between my tracks, adjusting the boy's glasses that were currently lopsided.

He pulled me into a small corner, looking around the pool area cautiously. He then smiled towards Jeremiah's way, making me frown my eyebrows.

Nova: "Did you guys talked?" -I questioned completely excitedly, grabbing his shoulders abruptly.

Ethan: "We did, and guess what?"

Nova: "What?" -I asked, smiling brightly at the boy, who jumped filled with excitement.

Ethan: "He wants to take me out sometime."

My mouth opened widely, almost beginning to drool over how shocked I felt. He took a hold of both of my palms, beginning to force me to jump with him. We both looked stupid probably, but this was on our "to do list" for way too long and it was finally happening.

Nova: "When is he going to take you out though?"

Ethan: "I don't know, maybe on the fourth?"

Nova: "That is not going out, that's spending time on our house." -I complained, rubbing my temples annoyed.

Ethan: "Well, I'm not sure if it's actually that day. Hopefully it's not...I want to take him to the gardening cafe."

I smiled by his comment, taking a hold of his hand as he continued to watch around the pool area. He then glanced up right beside me, making me turn around to see what he was looking at.

Steven: "Hey, sunshine." -he whispered, placing his arm across my shoulders.

My eyes shut annoyed, later on darting to Ethan, who just stared at the both of us completely confused.

Nova: "What do you want? Aren't you supposed to be working or something?" -I asked, pushing his arm off so I could face, the boy.

Steven: "I'm on break right now, I assumed you were also on break so...I decided to come hang out."

Nova: "What a cleaver idea." -I smiled filled with sarcasm, proceeding to walk towards the lifeguarding area followed by, Ethan and Steven.

As I approached the pool I noticed Jeremiah, heading our way with a giant smile. He instantly hugged me while laughing, pulling me away to take a look at, Steven and Ethan.

Nova: "How was work?" -I asked, interlacing my arm with his.

Jeremiah: "It was fun, very fun."

The boy gave a wink to Ethan, making me roll my eyes while laughing. Steven, on the other hand just cringed by the sight.

Ethan: "Hey, I'll catch up with you later. I gotta go clean something up." -he whispered, grabbing my shoulder gently.

Nova: "Yeah, I'll see you around."

I watched how the left quickly, approaching a couple who was now ordering some food to him probably.

Jeremiah: "Oh, Steven, you see that girl over there?"

Steven: "Yeah?" -he answered, while being held by, Jeremiah.

Jeremiah: "Hooked up with her."

Steven: "Mm-hmm." -he replied, giving a smirk to, Jeremiah.

My eyes darted to Ethan, who was obviously no longer here anymore. He was walking towards his working area now, already writing the different stuff he was gonna serve later on. I could still hear Jeremiah, giving out some names of the different people at the pool. My face had turned into one covered with disgust, quickly turning around to see both of the boys.

Steven: "Dude, you're such a slut, man."

Jeremiah: "Okay, I just like to kiss and be cozy with people."

Nova: "Well you better not be using Ethan, for that only." -I stated, crossing my arms while approaching them.

Jeremiah: "What?"

Nova: "He really likes you, Jere. Don't take someone's love for granted." -I mentioned, beginning to walk away.

Just as I was a couple of steps away from them, I heard something that made me stop my tracks instantly.

Jeremiah: "Never kissed her, though."

Steven: "Yeah, keep it that way." -he finished, making me look over to where they were glancing at.

Instantly I spotted Shayla Wang, she was dressed beautifully with her debutante outfit. Her walk was literally amazing, she looked like an actual model walking confidently through the runway.

I couldn't help but feel jealous even though I didn't wanted to. Shayla, has always been such a nice girl towards me and everyone she knows. She for sure deserves Steven, and I hate accepting it.

They continued to talk about the girl, which only made me walk off cautiously. I didn't wanted them to see me still being there, looking sad over something I shouldn't be sad for.

I walked all the way back to the tea room, which was already filled with all the debutantes inside. They all laughed within each other, drinking and eating from all the foods scattered around the table. Some stared my way with judgment covering their expression, this making me glance to the ground slightly feeling ashamed of being there.

Nicole: "Nova, hey." -she greeted, coming from behind me.

I smiled at the girl shyly, handling her a cup of tea from my tray. She took it gracefully, drinking later on from the cup.

Nicole: "This is pretty good, thank you."

Nova: "No problem." -I grinned, readjusting all of the drinks on the tray so they wouldn't look disorganized.

I could still feel her staring at me, it was making me uncomfortable due to me not knowing what to say. We used to be kinda close before, there was sort of a friendship, but not the one where you consider us "best friends."

Nicole: "How's Conrad, doing?"

Nova: "He's fine, I guess." -I replied, looking over to her.

Nicole: "You knew we were together, right?"

Nova: "No...Conrad, didn't say anything about it." -I explained, receiving a nod from the girl, who then walked off towards one of the tables.

I then made my way towards Mrs. Paige, who watched all of the girls carefully. She guided them all through everything pretty much, she was very educated which terrified me most of the time. When I became a debutante last summer, I was afraid of even sneezing in front of her over how strict she was.

Nova: "Mrs. Paige, everything's done here. If there's anything else you'll like, let me know." -I mentioned, smiling at the woman, while picking some leftover food.

Mrs. Paige: "Thank you, sweetheart. I'll let you know of course."

I nodded beginning to leave the tea room, suddenly bumping into Jeremiah and Belly, who were making their way to the room.

Nova: "Oh...my...God. You look so beautiful, Bells." -I gasped, seeing how Belly, scratched her head nervously.

Belly: "Thanks, today's been...stressful."

Nova: "Yeah, I know. You'll have fun now, I promise." -I reassured, rubbing her shoulder gently.

Jeremiah: "Hey, your boss told me to let you know he needed you downstairs."

Nova: "Thanks, I'll see you guys later."

They both nodded, entering soon after the room while laughing within each other. I knew Jeremiah was gonna embarrass Belly, inside somehow. He did it to me last summer, when he decided to steal some of the Brie and fig jam sandwiches right in front of everyone.

I continued to walk downstairs, being as careful as I could over the tray I was holding onto. The whole place was decorated so nicely that I was scared to touch and break something.

Mrs. Paige: "Jeremiah, those are for the girls!"

Nova: "Of course." -i mumbled, walking inside the kitchen that was right under the tea room.

My whole body was already cramping over all of the walkthroughs I had done all over the place. At least I was exercising, just without actually trying to. The kitchen was already cleaned, no employees around which allowed me to play some music inside of the kitchen without worrying.

I walked towards the sink, grabbing some of the kitchen supplies that needed cleanup. The music still played right behind me, which was motivating me to continue working.

Steven: "You did all of the tea room stuff?" -he asked, suddenly startling me over how focused I was on cleaning the kitchen tools.

Nova: "Jeez, you scared me!"

Steven: "Sorry." -he apologized in between laughter, grabbing a tray with the tea and cups placed.

Nova: "That was supposed to be taken by me."

Steven: "It's okay, I'll do it. I saw you struggling with some back pain earlier."

I slowly smiled by his comment, glancing up to him while raising my eyebrows.

Nova: "Wait, were you spying on me?" -I asked, still smiling jokingly to the boy, who only rolled his eyes.

Steven: "No, I wasn't. It was right when I came in...get your head out of the gutter, Nova."

Nova: "Yeah, right." -I mumbled, getting my hair ruffled around by him suddenly.

Steven: "Okay, I'll deliver this and come right down. I'm on a mission today, okay?"

I glanced up towards the boy, with frowned eyebrows, seeing how he adjusted the tray better on his shoulder.

Nova: "What's your mission?"

Steven: "Getting asked out by, Shayla Wang. Wait, do you know her?" -he asked, making my smile fade away instantly.

He continued to stare at me, filled with hope of me being able to tell him something about the girl. I could only feel my hear beating really fast over how weird I felt, I didn't wanted to consider myself feeling jealous...but it felt like I was.

Steven: "Nova?"

I looked over to him seeing how my vision was completely blurry, instantly making me glance down avoiding to get seen by him.

Steven: "Holy shit, are you okay?" -he worried, placing the tray down rapidly.

He then approached me, placing his hands on my shoulders carefully. I avoided  to look up to him, fearing that he might catch on to what I was feeling. I was never sure if Steven, knew about my feelings towards him, the whole house knew...but him...that was another story. He never gave signs of knowing, he never told me he knew, so I didn't knew or know the answer to that.

Steven: "What's wrong? Why are you crying?"

Nova: "Nothing, I'm just feeling kinda stressed out. I feel like I'm doing a shitty job already." -I lied, wiping away some of the tears rooming through my cheek.

Steven: "Hey, it's okay. You're doing amazing, trust me. Don't put yourself down, ever again."

I smiled at the boy gently, getting pulled into a hug later on. Then all of a sudden, we both were forced to pull away as we heard knocking on the door. And just as I looked towards the kitchen's entrance, my eyes fully widened by the sight.

Nova: "Tate?"

Tate: "Hey, can we....can we talk?" -he asked, glaring at Steven, who quickly grabbed the tray of tea.

Steven: "I'll leave you two alone."

Nova: "Go get your girl." -I mentioned, hearing how he laughed while leaving the room.

I didn't wanted him to do that though, I wanted him to stay there with me. I don't care if the conversation me and Tate, were about to have would've been awkward, I wanted him there by my side.

Nova: "Where did you go last night?" -I asked, cutting off the awkward silence surrounding the small space.

He quickly approached me to reach for my hands, but I only pulled them away instantly.

Nova: "You dumped me and left me alone at that beach without even knowing if I was going to be safe after."

Tate: "You were with your brothers." -he spoke, sounding frustrated by my comment.

Nova: "You didn't knew they were going to be there."

Tate: "I know but...please let me speak and tell you what happened."

I took a couple of breaths before speaking once again, just thinking everything through. I wondered if he would lie to me like he always has, or actually tell me something that would sound believable.

Nova: "Speak then." -I hurried, tapping my foot constantly against the marble floor.

He sighed multiple times, looking around the kitchen while flipping his hair constantly. My eyes only kept glaring his way, and I was beginning to get impatient.

Tate: "Okay...your brother."

Nova: "What about him? And...which one?" -I asked, letting out a sigh myself.

He stepped closer to me in a cautious way, placing his hand on my shoulder.

Tate: "Conrad, he made me leave the bonfire."

Nova: "What?"

Tate: "He told me to stay away from you. He's scared of me hurting you, but I promise you...I would never do that, Nova." -he explained, beginning to rub my face.

Nova: "No, no...Conrad, would never do that."

Tate: "I swear I'm not lying, Nova. He was pretty demanding, I don't know what made him hate me so much."

Nova: "Well, he knows you've hurt me before." -I stated, brushing my hair back while trying to calm my anger down.

Tate: "Nova, you know I would never hurt you agai-"

Nova: "Can I have some time alone, please? I'm just...I need to think first." -I interrupted, placing my hand up to stop him from continuing to speak.

Tate: "Yeah, of course. I'm gonna go home right now, I need to help my mom in some medical stuff."

I nodded, watching how he left the kitchen awkwardly. I didn't need the alone time to think though, I needed the alone time to calm my anger down. Conrad, straight up decided to ruin my date yesterday and didn't say anything about it. I get he was trying to help me but he has no right to control who I date whatsoever.

My hands squeezed tightly into a fist, making my nails dig into my skin over how angry I felt. My eyes darted towards the entrance of the kitchen once again, this after hearing footsteps arrive. Steven, was staring at me filled with worry but quickly pretended to not notice it by beginning to smile at me.

Steven: "Guess what?"

Nova: "What?"

Steven: "Shayla, asked me out." -he whispered, smiling my way brightly.

I gave the boy a fake smile, clapping over his achievement while walking off.

Steven: "Uuhh...couldn't I get a congrats or something?"

I turned around smiling once again, grabbing an apple that rested on top of the kitchen's bar.

Nova: "Congrats, Steve-oh"

As I walked off I heard what sounded like a scoff inside the kitchen, making me sigh completely frustrated. I took a look at my hands seeing the marks of my nails, this ones already formed on my palms.

Nova: "Fucking, Conrad."

End of chapter.

Sofia's notes:
Sort of a short chapter I feel like, but the next chapter will be a little juicy one hehe. I hope you enjoyed the Steven and Nova, moments tho ;)

See you soon, sunshines!! Don't forget to vote if you enjoyed this chapter, it means a lot to me.

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