Amelia POV
"I just encountered Joshua," he began, the words spilling out. "He was the guy who kissed Erin... And now, every chance he gets, he reminds me of it. He told me I'm not enough, that I couldn't fullfil her needs. That I'm useless."
My eyes softened, and I reached out, placing my hand on his shoulder. I knew how careful and delicate yet comforting my approach should be to handle Justin like this.
It was nothing less than overwhelming for me to see this side of Justin, once again... I'm good in handling people's emotions and talking to them when they are in their complete vulnerable state. But this wasn't the same with him.
I was scared... What if he regrets opening up to me? What if he shuts himself down suddenly? What if things go wrong, anywhere..?
Justin POV
"I feel worthless," I continued, tears streaming down my face. "Like I'm not good enough for anyone. I thought I was strong, but... I'm not."
The silence between us wasn't awkward anymore. It was thick. Heavy. Real. Amelia's arms were still around me, her heartbeat calm and steady beneath my ear like some kind of anchor.
After a long moment, she spoke-softly, like she was afraid to break me.
"Justin... I don't know exactly what it feels like to be in your shoes. But I know what it's like to feel small. Like everything that made you... you, got stripped away, piece by piece."
She pulled back just enough to look me in the eyes, but didn't let go. Her gaze wasn't pitying-it was steady. Clear. Honest.
I blinked at her. The ache in my chest twisted into something else - recognition.
She gave me a faint, sad smile. "You're not broken, Justin. You're just hurt. And being hurt doesn't make you weak. It makes you human."
I opened my mouth to speak, but nothing came. Just a quiet sob and a nod. A quiet surrender.
"I don't know what happens next," I murmured. "I just know I'm tired of pretending I'm okay."
"Then don't pretend," she said. "Not with your close friends, and for now, not with me."
And for the first time in what felt like forever, I let someone see me–truly see me. Not the version I held up for the world. Not the image of who I thought I should be. Just... me.
Fractured. Flawed. But still here.
And in Amelia's arms, I didn't feel like nothing.
I felt like maybe—just maybe—I could survive this.
💘
Author POV
It was one of those rare, golden afternoons when the sun felt gentle, like warm tea on skin. The lecture had been cancelled, the campus was quiet, and Daisy was doing what she did best when no one was watching - wandering without purpose.
She meandered along the back path near the old science wing, twirling a pen between her fingers, humming something tuneless. That's when she saw it.
A cat.
Perched like a shadow on the cracked stone wall, tail curled neatly around its paws. Ginger with a splash of white on its nose, it stared at Daisy with the calculated detachment only cats could pull off.
Her face lit up immediately, all the fire and snark she carried with her every day softening in an instant.
"Oh my god, you majestic little beast," she whispered, dropping her bag to the ground without ceremony. "Where did you come from?"
The cat blinked slowly. Approval? Judgement? Daisy didn't care. She crouched down, hand outstretched with the kind of reverence usually reserved for sacred relics or good pastries.
"Daisy," came a voice from behind. Loud, sharp-Andrew. "Please tell me you're not about to summon the underworld with that cat."
She didn't turn around.
"Shhhhh," she hissed, waving one hand like a traffic cop. "You'll scare him. He's a prince. A furry, judgmental prince."
Andrew stepped beside her, peering at the cat like it was some kind of mythical creature-or perhaps a very boring rock.
"It's a cat," he said flatly. "It probably eats garbage and yells at three in the morning."
"That's what you do."
Andrew smirked. "Exactly. I know my people."
Daisy slowly reached closer. The cat didn't run. Instead, it leaned forward-ever so slightly-and nudged its head into her fingers.
She gasped like she'd just been blessed.
Andrew rolled his eyes, but there was a small, begrudging smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
"You know, I always figured if you ever got cursed, it'd be by a cat. Probably this one."
"I'd thank him," she said dreamily, scratching under the cat's chin. "At least he's got standards."
The cat purred-audible, deep, and content. Daisy was officially gone, head tilted, heart melted.
Andrew crossed his arms, looking back toward the path. "Don't tell me you'll take your 'prince charming' to your dorm."
Daisy froze. Realization soon dawned upon her, but she refused to show it to Andrew.
"You know what, my Amelia is the sweetest human being I have ever seen. So she won't deny my request." She flashed a cheeky smile to him, while softly scratching the cat's head.
Andrew gave her a sidelong glance. "What if Sarah and Katherine get to know that you don't consider them as 'the sweetest human beings' of your life?"
Daisy looked at him with eyes full of fear and betrayal. "Dare if you tell them this."
"And I'm going to do exactly the same thing." Andrew already ran away from Daisy as if he was really going to tell this to the girls.
"No, no, no. I love my Sarah and Katy. They won't believe you. Just stop running already, Andrew!"
And the bickerings never stop between these children...
💘
In the evening,
The sky was painted in watercolor - soft streaks of amber, rose, and lavender melting into the horizon like a sigh. The evening breeze brushed past gently, lifting strands of Katherine's hair as she curled up on the balcony chair with her legs tucked under her.
A mug of warm coffee sat on the little table beside her, untouched but comforting. Her phone rested in her lap, forgotten for a while as she just watched-the city lights blinking on one by one, the lazy rhythm of traffic below, someone playing soft jazz in a nearby apartment.
For once, everything was quiet.
And then, like a spark flicking in her brain, mischief bloomed in her chest.
Her eyes narrowed.
A slow smile crept onto her face-the kind Ryan had come to fear and love in equal measure.
She picked up her phone, unlocked it, and opened Instagram with intent.
Katherine 💬:
> "Babe... weird question... how do I tell someone I accidentally adopted two turtles?"
She hit send. Waited. Not even thirty seconds passed.
Ryan 💬:
> "WHAT??? Please tell me this is a metaphor."
She snorted into her coffee, typing again with the straightest face possible.
Katherine 💬:
> "No metaphor. They just followed me home. One is fast. I named him Lightning."
Ryan 💬:
> "Katherine. Where. Are. You. Why are you like this??"
Her laugh echoed softly into the night air. She leaned back in the chair, fingers flying now.
Katherine 💬:
> "Lightning and Thunder say hi."
Ryan 💬:
> "I'm coming over. If these turtles are real, we need to talk. If they're not... we still need to talk."
She bit her lip to hold back another giggle. The idea of him showing up, fully ready to meet imaginary turtles, made her heart warm.
Still, she wasn't done.
Katherine 💬:
> "Bring lettuce. They're already emotionally attached to me."
She set the phone down with a satisfied sigh, the city still glowing around her, her heart full. It wasn't just the quiet or the view-it was knowing she had someone to irritate, someone who'd take her chaos with a tired smile and show up anyway.
She reached for her coffee at last.
And somewhere out there, Ryan was probably Googling "how to care for turtles" with panic in his soul.
💘
It had only been sixty seconds since Sarah posted the selfie.
She hadn't even left the app yet-still staring at the image like it might combust. It wasn't even a fancy photo. No filters. No perfect angles. Just her, hair messy from the afternoon wind, sitting by her bedroom window with that small, soft smile she rarely let the world see.
She hovered over the delete button.
Then-ping.
And another.
Then another.
Her DMs were exploding.
Liam 💬:
> "Excuse me??? WHEN did I start dating an actual goddess?"
Liam 💬:
> "Did you break the sun and steal its lighting?? Because WOW."
Liam 💬:
> "I need you to stop being this beautiful without warning. It's emotionally damaging."
Sarah blinked, her heart doing that ridiculous flutter thing again.
Liam 💬:
> "I want that picture framed. No. Wallpapered. I'll make it my lock screen. And maybe my forehead tattoo."
She snorted out a laugh-an actual, out-loud laugh-then covered her mouth as if someone might hear her being happy.
She fumbled for the keyboard.
Sarah💬:
> "Liam, it's literally just a selfie."
There was barely a pause.
Liam 💬:
> "AND THE MONA LISA IS JUST A PAINTING. WHAT IS YOUR POINT."
She stared at her phone, cheeks blazing. This boy. This chaotic, adorable boy.
Liam 💬:
> "Do you even know what you do to me??? I was eating chips and now I'm staring at my screen like an idiot. I nearly choked."
Sarah 💬:
> "That sounds like a personal problem."
Liam 💬:
> "YOU are my personal problem."
She laughed again-quieter this time-sinking back into her pillows with a helpless little smile.
Liam 💬:
> "Seriously. You're perfect. Deal with it."
She didn't reply right away. Just looked at the message, then at her selfie still glowing on the screen. And for once, she didn't feel like taking it down.
Instead, she pulled her hoodie tighter around herself and whispered under her breath,
"Idiot."
Her phone pinged again.
Liam 💬:
> "Also... be ready. I'm coming over. That selfie deserves in-person appreciation."
Sarah 💬:
> "Liam-"
Liam 💬:
> "Nope. Too late. You broke me. Now suffer the consequences."
She rolled her eyes, but she was already smiling wider than before. And when she caught her reflection in the screen-still flushed, still glowing-she thought...
Maybe the selfie wasn't so bad after all.
💘
Oh my lovely chaotic couples!! 🎀 What do you think about our Daisy and Andrew?? Are they arguing well, or we need some extra sassy replies and comebacks? 🤭
Please vote and comment if you like this chapter. The next chapter will be updated soon. Take care, cuties 💙
»»---->🌷✨You can also follow me on Instagram - @_authorserene_ for spoilers and other updates✨🌷
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