iii. fine line

When morning shone through the white clouds that blanketed the sky, Nova woke with a heavy weight of guilt weighing on her shoulders. She hardly slept at all last night because her brain wouldn't turn off. Thinking about Sarah, and how she must think that Nova betrayed her. Also, about John B, which she willed herself not to, but it didn't stop her from feeling guilty for aiding in his job loss, even though she was innocent on that front.

After Nova's long and drawn-out speech about how much John B. is ruining her summer, Penny, Nova's Lovey, concluded that there was something between the two of them. Though, of course, neither of them knew it yet. Because the universe was behind it all. It was fate that kept bringing them together.

"There's a lot of passion there, between the two of you," her Lovey had whispered.

Nova's eyebrows furrowed, confused. Hadn't she just explained to her Lovey that all the two of them do is argue and insult one another? "Lovey, we hate each other."

"Passion is tricky. It sits on a fine line of love and hate."

Nova also sometimes believed her Lovey to be insane. But the idea was just absurd enough to stick with Nova.

While lying in bed, avoiding the morning sun that crept behind her drawn curtains, Nova began thinking about the boy that she continuously claimed she felt nothing for. She thought how absurd it was for her Lovey to suggest that she explore her feelings for this boy. It'd be impossible. They have nothing in common; all they'd do is fight. They'd never be able to be anything more than what they were now. What that was, Nova wasn't sure.

In an attempt to help with her sour mood, Nova had put herself in a dress when she finally decided to pull herself from the tempting covers. It was a yellow slip dress. It matched the yellow stripes on the bathing suit she'd pulled on before the dress, not knowing if she'd end up near water or not. Living on an island, it was common to just end up at a beach.

While braiding the second half of her hair, Nova's phone lit up on her vanity shelf, and Sarah's name shone across the screen. Nova's stomach tightened and she hesitated on picking up the phone. But feeling guilty enough already, she did. And opened the text.  

Sarah: Can we talk?

Today, Nova replied.

Nova: That'd probably be a good idea, wouldn't it? 

The old, usual pair of Birkenstocks rest beside the closed bedroom door. Nova slipped into them before leaving, shutting the door back behind her.

Nolan was already awake and in the kitchen. She could hear him frying bacon before she even stepped into the kitchen. He stood shirtless, as he usually stood in the morning times, greeting Nova with a smile and a nod toward the kitchen island. She already knew this meant that he went ahead and put her medicine out for her.

"You seem stressed," Nolan observed as Nova turned away from him to swallow her pills with a chaser of water.

"I think that Sarah and I are in an argument," she confessed.

Nolan nodded, furrowing his eyebrows, it wasn't often that Nova and Sarah argued, "Oh no, trouble in paradise?"

Nova nodded, choosing to ignore the slight poke of fun.

Nolan had always been that way. Trying to find the humor or good in any situation. He was good at it too. He was always the first person to make Nova laugh after a bad day. Nova envied that about him. Truthfully, Nova envied a lot about her brother. Mostly how able he was to be carefree. He somehow always seemed as if there was no worry in the world big enough to trouble him. He didn't linger on his negative feelings. He felt them for a moment and then moved on. And then he was happy.

Nova wasn't like that. She couldn't just compartmentalize how she felt. Because she felt too much, all the time. It was a constant battle inside her head. A 24/7 screaming match. The medicine helped quiet them, but it didn't mean she felt anything less.

"Tell me what's going on?" he asked, his tone sympathetic.

"It's stupid," sighed Nova.

But there was no way Nolan was going to take that as an answer.

"Didn't your therapist tell you to stop diminishing how you felt?" Nolan's eyebrows rose expectantly.

Nova was really starting to regret telling him about that session now.

"Sarah thinks I lied to her... and that I have something with John B."

"Did you lie to her?"

"I withheld the truth, yes."

"Do you have something with John B?"

"No."

Nolan shrugged. As if these few questions and answers solved everything wrong in the world. He turned back to his bacon, flipping them onto the other side.

"Just tell her that," he offered. "It'll work out. It's you and Sarah. I don't think the two of you are even able to argue for more than a few days."

Nolan was right. He usually was.

"I hate it when you're rational," Nova grumbled, chomping down on a granola bar.

Nolan smirked, back still facing her, "I have to be. Who else could ever understand your relationship with Sarah Cameron."

Nova laughed, but Nolan was right again. He probably knew her better than anyone in the world. Nolan takes care of Nova. And though to her, it seems as if Nolan had not a care in the world, he does. Most of his care goes to her. As does his worry. When Lincoln Scott if off somewhere in the world on business Nolan takes on the role of Nova's guardian. He makes sure she's fed, happy, and medicated. He'd never been asked to be this person. Lincoln didn't expect for his teenage son to step up to this role, in fact, he's made it clear multiple times that Nolan's only job is to be a brother to Nova. But to Nolan, being a brother, meant protecting his little sister, making sure she was alright. Making sure he wasn't going to lose her the same they lose their mom.

The thought alone terrified him. And so, he took on the role as a protector for her. It had to be an extremely tiring role to have, but Nolan done so without complaint.

Nolan turned again, the bacon finished and plated, cooling down, "Text me if you need anything."

Nova nodded, reaching past him to steal a strip of bacon from his plate, smiling as she chewed on the food he'd just spent so long making.

"I promise!" 

Nova stood against a railing on a deteriorating pier. What was once one of the liveliest attractions on the island stood vacant. Nearly lifeless since a hurricane that almost taken it down about three years ago. Since then, they'd built a new boardwalk, leaving this one to the teenage island locals to litter on.

"Oh god, seriously? What's he doing here?"

The tone that came out of her was hostile, defensive, Nova didn't mean it to be, but she wasn't going to apologize for it. This was supposed to be between her and Sarah. And yet, stalking just a few feet behind Sarah was Topper, looking as mission-oriented as ever. As if this involved him in the slightest.

"Chill, okay, Topper's taking me out after this," Sarah sighed, stopping once she was standing before Nova.

"So what? He's just going to linger there while we talk?" asked Nova. "Because I'm not sure if I'm comfortable with that."

Topper scoffed, "You've gotta be kidding me."

"Actually, Topper, I'm not kidding you!" Nova became defensive.

"Jesus, just stop, the both of you," Sarah rolled her eyes, turning back to face Topper. "Babe, why don't you go and get us some drinks for later?"

She nodded to the vending machines back at the beginning of the boardwalk.

"Yeah, sure, whatever," he grumbled, annoyed, before turning away and angrily making his way to the other end of the pier.

Sarah smiled, pulling herself onto her toes to plant a kiss on Topper's cheek. Nova restrained a gag.

Topper forced a smile, but stopped when he went to pass by Nova, "Just some advice, Nova, John B. Routledge is not the kind of guy you should be starting something with."

Nova's insides boiled with fury as she watched Topper walk away. Then her wide, angry eyes turned to Sarah.

"You told him?" she accused.

"I didn't," said Sarah, though her quiet shrug gave away some of her guilt. "But he was with me when Wheezie told me about the other morning."

"Great, so everyone on this damn island thinks I'm spreading my legs for John B. now?" Nova went to run a hand through her hair but remembered she'd pulled them back into French braids.

She opted for chewing on her lips.

"No one thinks that, Nova."

"You do, apparently."

"Well, what else was I supposed to think?"

Nova went quiet. Sarah was right this time. She'd kept a secret from her. She never kept things from Sarah. So, what else was she to think? Nova's mind would've gone to the same conclusion. Especially if she had someone like Wheezie in her ear, whispering about non-existent flirting.

"There is nothing between me and John B, okay?" Nova finally admitted.

She took a deep breath before continuing her explanation, "John B. stopped by early that morning. He dropped off some empty tanks, I called him out on it. He asked me not to say anything, so I didn't. That's it."

Sarah sighed, her demeanor softening, "Why not just tell me that, Nova? And what about the flirting, Wheezie told me ─"

"Wheezie is barely in high school, talking to the opposite sex is flirting to her," Nova scoffed, rolling her eyes. Sarah chuckled. "And I didn't tell you. Well, I don't know that either. Maybe I felt bad for him. I didn't want him to lose his job, y'know?"

"You don't owe him the benefit of the doubt, Nova," said Sarah, knowing that sometimes Nova's kindness and willingness to trust has broken her many times. "You don't even know him, really."

Nova laughed, "And yet you thought that he and I were in some kind of secret affair."

"You're right, I jumped to conclusions," laughed Sarah, realizing how ridiculous this all sounded.

"Yeah, you did."

"But you should've told me about the scuba gear. I could've helped cover for him, or something."

Nova sighed, Sarah was right, she wouldn't have just let John B. get fired, not even Nova asked her to keep this between them, "I'm sorry that I kept it from you."

"I'm sorry that I jumped to impossible conclusions."

Nova nodded, accepting the apology. And without missing another beat, Sarah stepping up, closing the distance between the two of them, and enveloped her best friend into a tight hug.

"Are we good again?" asked Sarah, her chin resting on Nova's shoulder.

"I never assumed we weren't good," said Nova, smiling.

Sarah pulled away from the hug first, but kept a tight hold of Nova's shoulders, squaring them so that she couldn't escape her gaze, "I love you. More than anything. Always."

"I know," she sighed. "I love you. Always."

"Good, you better."

Nova and Sarah had gone through countless disagreements and squabbles during their many years of friendship. But one thing they prided themselves on having, is good communication skills, at least with each other. When there was an issue, they had to talk it out. They had to find middle ground. There were no prolonged arguments, there couldn't be, because the two girls couldn't go a week without speaking. They both agreed, there was no issue that would be big enough to tear them apart. And so far, they'd been right.

"Back together again?" Topper had found his way back to them, three drinks tucked safely in his arm.

"Please, we never broke up," Sarah scoffed, taking a lemonade from her boyfriend's arm.

Topper nodded, seeming pleased that they'd talked things out, especially in the amount of time it took him to bring their drinks. Even bringing a sweet tea to Nova. She accepted the peace-offering, knowing that's what he meant the drink to be.

"Hey, you want to go on the boat with us?" asked Sarah suddenly, as she twisted the lid back onto her drink.

Topper's eyes widened behind Sarah. He shook his head, pleading with her to say no. Lucky for him, Nova was feeling gracious, and she didn't exactly want to spend her day seeing the two of them kissing on one another.

"I'll pass on that one," said Nova, seeing the relief fall on Topper's shoulder. "But thank you."

Sarah nodded, still talking, but Topper was already pulling her away, "I'll call you later then, okay? We can hang out."

Nova smiled. Feeling the weight that had been holding her down all morning finally lift. No longer was their guilt eating at her. She and Sarah had cleared the air. It was good. Solved.

She decided to take advantage of the time she felt weightless. Not yet wanting to return home, Nova moved to the end of the pier and sat down on the edge, just near the drop-off. She pulled her dress over her head and hung it over the banister that she propped her back up against, and rest under the sun.

To keep her mind at ease and from focusing on the outside noises around her, Nova pulled the bookmarked book from her bag and opened it to where the tab was. She was nearly halfway finished with her book. Nova wasn't much of a reader; she didn't enjoy it as much as some people. But she'd grown attached to Little Women.

It was an accidental find. The book. There'd been a flood a few years back. Pretty bad. It put many small businesses out of order. One of them being a used bookstore. Nova had never been there before. But she'd offered her help to those affected by the flood, helping clean and collecting supplies. The owner of the tattered shop had set up outside, trying to sell the few books that weren't completely ruined by the water.

For her help the owner had given her the book for free, as a thank you. Nova refused to take the gift though, and tipped the owner largely, since the funds were being used to help her rebuild her business. The book had been pretty water damaged and sat on Nova's nightstand for months before she finally decided to open it.

But once she did, she couldn't put it down. And she reads it over and over, never growing tired of the water-damaged pages banded together.

Nova had been nearly finished with the chapter when water splashed onto her left side, drenching her, and some of the book. She gasped, quickly standing up from the forming puddle on the wooden dock. She shook the water off herself and the book. Furious, she turned her head to find the culprit.

Of course, she thought, Of course, it had to be him.

"What's the matter with you?" Nova yelled at him; her cheeks flushed with anger. "Maybe learn to drive that hunk of scrap metal before putting on the water."

It was likely an accident. She couldn't picture John B. and his friends caring so much about ruining her day that they plot to splash water on her. If Nova would've been paying attention, she probably would've been able to move out the way. But she didn't care to think about the logistics. She was far too annoyed at the moment.

"You nearly ruined my book," she continued to scold him, since he'd been the one driving.

John B. shrugged, "Not like you couldn't afford a new one. Unlike me, since you know, I lost my job." He still blamed her for that. "Thanks for that, by the way."

"For the last time, I didn't tell Sarah anything!" Nova finally snapped at him. "It was you who dropped the empty tanks and woke Wheezie up. She heard everything. She's the one who told Sarah, okay?"

"I didn't know."

"I made a promise. I don't take those lightly," angrily, Nova began to gather up her things. "You've been an absolute ass to me for no reason."

John B sighed, running a hand through his hair, "Nova, I didn't mean ─"

"Yes, you did."

Those were Nova's parting words. Having shrugged back into her dress and with her book and phone in hand, she turned before anything more could be said. Today was supposed to be a good day. Not one spent arguing with John B. Routledge.  

Nova had been taking the road home. Readying for a nap. But at the red light she decided against that, and turned left instead. She ended up in the parking lot at the country club. Not only was her entire family a member here, but she also, on occasion, worked for them.

The night manager at the time was desperate. The lounge room's singer had up and quit, and there was a private party scheduled for that night. He knew Nova from school, being a few years older than her, and begged her to fill in. Since he was in choir with her, he knew that she could sing.

At first Nova was hesitant. She never liked singing for other people. It's always been reserved for her showers and long car rides. But after witnessing his desperate pleadings Nova agreed, but only for a night. It didn't carry through. Because a year and a half later she was still being called to sing on certain nights. Some guests even requesting her presence. Nova agreed to stay on as a singer for them, but didn't consider herself an employee, despite having an employee badge, she volunteered, so that she didn't have to accept pay.

The country club was still running on their many backup generators so the buzzing was loud inside the building. And it more packed than usual. Almost everyone employed by the overpriced club was on call to deal with their members. There were levels of memberships you could purchase. It was like the Olympics. Bronze being the cheapest package, offering the basics, activity pass, one meal a day ticket, and office use. Silver was a little more expensive and offered all that Bronze did, as well as a seasonal pass, that extended past summer, and you got two meals a day. Gold was the most expensive, Nova and her family were considered Golden Members at the club, they offered everything, and the doors were open to them all times, as well as the selection of overnight lodgings they offered.

The private lounge that Nova sang for was incredibly exclusive. Only the top paying customers were able to be put on the list. Some of the Golden Members had even been wait-listed. It was absurdly exquisite for a room full of aged liquor and blackjack tables. And people even rented it out by the day.

Nova turned the key and opened the door to an empty room. The room wasn't yet open. Not until the late evenings. The only personnel granted early access were those who'd been specially selected to work the room. It was stiff competition to get to work in the private lounge. The tips were triple, sometimes quadruple the amount they'd make on the dining room floor or at the pool bar. This room sat old men and women who had too much money than they knew what to do with.

It was dark. Except for a soft glow of gold light casting from behind the large, oak wood bar. The glass shelves were lit up to showcase the amount of liquor they had to offer. Nova flipped the light switch as she stepped into the room. The chandelier in the center lit to life, showcasing the entire room now. Leather chairs had been pushed under the high-sitting tables, the wooden floors seemed to be freshly polished and waxed. Leather couch cushions fluffed. It looked new, unused, the entire room.

Nova sat, her things sprawled out on the small stage at the front of the room. The stage lights above her were turned off, creating a shadow over her, contrasting her to the rest of the brightened room.

Pens littered the stage floor. Rolling in every which direction. Crumpled up pieces of paper scatted around her, overflowing out of the notebook.

She wrote her own songs. Always had. This job gave her an opportunity to sing them. They were different from the songs she helped her brother write. Nolan preferred upbeat, rock sounds. Meanwhile, Nova's music was slower, sultry. Songs that could be put behind scenes of an old film.

The minutes ticked by on the large clock above the bar. Soon an hour had passed, and then another, and another. Nova had fallen into her own world. Forgetting about time and the reality of the day. Her world had stilled as her hand raced along the lined pages, writing a story, one that would be told through song.

Her stomach grumbled, interrupting her flow of lyricism. No longer could she think straight with the afterthought of food at the back of her mind. The only thing she'd had was a granola bar and piece of bacon early this morning. She'd skipped lunch, and it would soon be dinner.

Nova decided that she'd spent enough time in the lounge, once again gathering her things, making sure to throw her paper scraps in the trash behind the bar before locking the room up again. A few more hours and the doors would unlock. But Nova had not been on the schedule for this evening's affairs.

As she passed through the parking lot, Nova's attention was on her purse, searching frantically for the car keys she last remembered stuffing in there. She'd just managed to get her car doors unlocked when she heard her name being called a few feet away.

Nova turned; her eyebrows furrowed as she searched for the voice that had been calling her name. It hadn't been a familiar one. Had she forgot something in the lounge?

"Nova! Hey!" suddenly, out from behind a Great Pumpkin of a van, appeared JJ Maybank.

The last she'd seen him he was holding a gun to the back of Topper's head.

"JJ!" she greeted him with a tight-lipped smile. "Are you finally showing up for work?"

JJ scoffed and shook her head. Nova should've known better than to assume that he'd show up for work. Someone was always called in to cover him since he never bothered to show up. Suddenly, the rest of the friend group appeared from behind the van.

"What do you want, JJ?" sighed Nova.

She knew they weren't here to apologize for earlier. Which could only mean that they were here because they needed something from her.

"We need to get into the club," he told her.

"Okay?" Nova raised her eyebrows.

"Well, we need you to do it."

"No, JJ, you have an employee card."

"Yeah, to get into the kitchens," he reminded her. "But we aren't here for the food."

"What're you here for?" Nova crossed her arms over her chest.

She was really in no mood to be breaking any laws for them.

"We need the computer lab," JJ admitted.

Nova scoffed, "And only members have access to the computer labs..."

"Look, no one will ask questions if it's your card that's swiped," he began to explain, sounding desperate. "You're respected at this kind of place."

Nova's expression remained unamused. She wanted to make them sweat over it. To wonder if she would agree to help them.

Eventually her curiosity got the best of her, "Should I know what you'll be using my membership card to look up?"

"It's better not to ask questions," JJ shook his head.

"Fine, I'll help."

"Yes! Thank you so much. I owe you so huge for this!"

"Don't mention it," said Nova, moving back toward the back entrance. "I mean it, please don't ever mention this."

She had to sneak them past the pool gate and through the spa doors. There was no way that Nova could just walk them through the front doors. Too many eyes and way too many questions would be asked.

The others followed behind her quietly. A few times she heard Pope curse JJ for stepping on the heel of his shoe. Nova would have to bite her lip to keep from laughing.

Nova swiped her card through the door that led into the office hallways. Conference rooms and computer labs were placed along the walls. Most of the time they were empty. Lucky for Nova, today was a day that the hall was deserted.

"Remember," Nova turned to JJ specifically, handing him her card so that he could use it to sign into the computer. "Everything you type into that computer is monitored. So not weird stuff."

It may have seemed like Nova was joking, but she wasn't, she was seriously hoping that JJ wouldn't go in there and look up some weird fetish porn.

The door clicked, opening. JJ and his friends pushed their way through the narrow space, but Joun B. remained behind, not rushing to pile in front of a singular computer screen. Instead, he stood, leaning on the wall across from Nova, looking at her.

Nova raised her eyebrows, "Yes?"

"I was just going to thank you," John B. shrugged, a smile tugging at the ends of his lips. "It's really cool of you to help us. Especially when I didn't deserve it."

"Well, who says any of this was for you?" challenged Nova, crossing her arms. "I mean, JJ is the one that asked. Maybe I did this because of him."

It was all a lie.

"Did you?"

"Tell me, does this involve that little treasure hunt of yours?" asked Nova, deflecting John B's question.

He nodded, "It does."

"Great, then I'll stand guard," she told him, looking back into the room. His friends had pushed all three of their faces up to the computer screen, each of them fighting over the keyboard. "You should get in there. They look like they need you."

John B. looked past Nova and sighed at the sight of his best friends. He nodded upon seeing the chaos already pursuing. He thanked her again as he passed by her and into the room. Nova smiled, shutting the door behind him.

Nova leaned against the white-painted walls. She listened to the ticking of the clock on the wall across from her. She watched each second past. And every now and then she'd turn her head to check on the hoodlums locked in the room behind her.

"Nova? What're you doing back here?" Rafe Cameron suddenly appeared from behind the corner of the main lobby.

She gulped, standing up quickly, moving to block sight of the window engraved into the door behind her.

"Rafe," coughed Nova, eyes widening. "I could ask you the same. Since when do you need to use the club's office supplies?"

He shrugged. Rafe stopped across the way from Nova, glancing at her curiously. His hair was gelled down to his head, he'd dressed in his usual light-colored polo shirt and khaki shorts with boat shoes. Rafe Cameron was the definition of a prep school boy.

"I'm having a party tonight," he grinned lazily at her, changing the subject. "Should I be expecting you to make an appearance?"

"Rafe, you know I don't come to your parties," Nova reminded him.

Nova had once been a regular at Rafe Cameron's self-proclaimed raging parties. Though at the time it seemed mandatory, since she was kind of considered his girlfriend. He was the Senior boy and she was the Freshman girl lusting after him. It was weird, thinking back on it, but at the time it's all she'd dreamed. He'd always been Sarah's cute older brother, now he was her boyfriend. Her mom had just died and Rafe had known her better than any other boy at the school, she'd trusted him. He said a lot of pretty words to her and she fell.

The relationship lasted all of two months. The pretty words fell on broken promises and expectations. Luckily there was no downfall of her and Sarah when the breakup happened two months later.

Rafe rolled his eyes, "Sarah's going to be awfully disappointed."

"Sarah will understand," said Nova.

"Fine," sighed Rafe, standing up from the wall and walking over to her. He bent down to her height and leaned his head in to whisper in her ear. "But you will be missed, Nova Scott."

Nova backed away from Rafe's breath on her neck. It felt weird now, being so close to her best friend's brother. She wished she could forget the fact that they had a past. The phase of being the unattainable best friend's brother had gone. She felt no attraction to Rafe Cameron anymore.

"Have fun at your party, Rafe," said Nova.

Her tone had become dismissive. Rafe seemed to take a hint as a smiled at one more time before turning back toward the main lobby. Before rounding the corner though he stopped, looking over his shoulder and shot a wink in Nova's direction. Seconds later he disappeared.

What was he doing back here, anyway?

Suddenly the door behind her was pulled open. The surprise nearly sent her falling backward into the person opening the door. Apparently, John B. and his friends had finished their treasure hunt research.

JJ reached his hand out, handing Nova back her membership card, "I owe you, remember that."

"I'll call you when I need a favor, JJ," she sighed.

He winked, jogging back toward the door she'd snuck them in through. Nova knew that she probably would never call JJ with a favor. Because after today it was likely they wouldn't see much of each other.

John B. walked out last, allowing his friends to run off without him, he though didn't seem to be in too much of a hurry as he stopped again to look at Nova, "You really didn't have to do this for us."

Nova knew that.

"Yeah, well, it seemed like it was important to you."

"It was."

Nova sighed, "You should be careful on this treasure hunt of yours, John B."

John B. quirked an eyebrow, "Why do you say that."

"I imagine that a lot of what you and your friends are doing to obtain whatever prize is in store isn't exactly lawful," she laughed softly. "And I won't always be around to be your lookout."

"Or, you could."

And John B. was absolutely serious. There was no hint of laughter or taunting in his tone. And this had left Nova completely shocked. She'd been expecting a jab, him making fun of her being a rule-follower, and that would've led to them both exchanging low jabbing insults.

Nova chuckled nervously, "I don't think that's a very good idea, John B."

"You don't?" he asked.

"I think the two of us spending too much time together is a dangerous idea," added Nova, without answering his question.

John B. didn't disagree, "I think you're right."

They stood, silently staring, neither of them knowing what to say or do. Nova's heart couldn't decide if it was going to beat out of her chest, or stop beating altogether.

"I should go," John B. finally breathed.

Nova nodded, "Same."

They turned in opposite directions. Walking on opposite ends of the hallway now. Nova stopped just before turning into the lobby, she debated for a second before turning her head, sure enough, John B had also stopped. Her cheeks turned a light shade of pink, and Nova became thankful for the distance they'd put between one another. He smiled. She offered him a wave before turning around and heading to her car.

Where now she was actually able to go home.  

By the time Nova parked her car in front of the house, the sky had been painted a soft pink color. The day was leaving her, and soon the sky would be a black blanket lit up by millions of stars.

The house was quiet. Exceptionally so. The note taped the fridge told her that Nolan would be out for the night. And her dad was still somewhere across the world on business. Sarah was likely present at her brother's party. So, Nova was completely alone for the night. And with nothing to do.

After changing into a pair of cotton shorts and sweater, Nova called in an order for a pizza. Only ordering one since it was only her who'd be eating. If Nolan had been here, she might've ordered three or four, since his stomach seemed to be an endless pit.

Nova settled on the living room couch. A blanket draped over her legs with the large box of pizza on her lap. She'd turned on the show New Girl, to try and keep herself occupied for a few hours.

But her wandering brain wouldn't allow her to focus on the television screen. Instead, it was thinking about John B... again. She thought about his proposition earlier, and how it came out of nowhere. Why would he say that? He hated her. Didn't he? They hated each other.

Nova would admit, the offer had tempted her. She found herself wanting to agree to go on this treasure hunt with him. The mystery and adventure offered would spice up Nova's monotonous days. She craved something more than long summer days spent at the same beaches she's been too a thousand times. But she couldn't say yes. There was a risk to great that if Nova had followed John B. out of that country club, she wouldn't be able to come back from it.

She wouldn't be able to come back from him.

The allure around him was something Nova had experience before. It wasn't a crush. She'd felt that before. There was no way to describe what she felt when she was near him. Nova wondered if John B. felt it too. If he could feel the string between them, the one that kept them close, shortening.  Maybe there was a line, maybe her Lovey was right, and John B. and Nova were straddling the line of love and hate. 

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V I S U A L S

nova's outfit inspo

club lounge inspo

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an://

a shorter chapter to prepare all of you for you guys for what's to come next. 

really interested to know what you're thinking of the rewrites and additional scenes and moments, let me know. 

edited: 12/06/2021