Page 16

M y skin is buzzing with energy as I finish playing one of the hardest pieces I’ve ever attempted. To perfection, might I add, and in front of one of the most infamous pianists of the century.

Professor Von London claps his hands as I turn to him, desperate to hear his feedback.

“Brilliant, Alora. Just brilliant .” His face is lit up with joy as he praises me. “You are a true talent.”

My heart leaps out of my chest. “Thank you so much.”

That compliment from anyone is special, but from him, it’s everything.

Digging into his bag, he pulls out a few sheets of music and hands them to me. “Next week, I want to hear this piece from you. It’s a bit different from the others we’ve worked on so far, but I think you’ll have some fun with it.”

Reading the music, I can practically envision how my fingers will move along the keys. It’s a bouncy tune, upbeat and bright. A definite shift from the melodramatic, emotional songs we’ve been focusing on.

“I’m sure I will.” I smile up at him.

He rises from his seat at the small table in the practice room and grabs his bag. “A pleasure, as always. I look forward to our next session together.”

“Me too.” I grin, gathering my music from the piano and slipping it back into its sleeve in my binder.

He walks out of the room, leaving Sunny and me, as I bathe in the compliments I’m replaying over and over in my mind.

I can’t believe he believes in me. Pride blooms in my chest, warming every bone in my body. It’s an honor to work with him.

If I’m lucky, he’ll select me for the showcase at the end of the semester. From what I’ve heard, it’s typically for seniors as a farewell showcase, but every now and then, undergrads are selected to perform as well.

My phone rings as Sunny and I walk out of the practice room to head back to our dorm room.

It’s my aunt Flora.

“Hello?” I answer.

Her bubbly voice sounds through the speaker. “Hi, Alora! How are you doing? How’s school going so far?”

Holding Sunny’s leash, I lead her down the steps outside as I respond, “It’s been good. Yeah. Nothing too eventful. Aside from my dad showing up for a donation event—one made just for him, of course … oh, and him letting me know that he has spies on campus to ensure that I’m behaving.”

“No, he didn’t …” She trails off in disbelief and shock.

“Flora, you know I wish I were kidding.” I sigh, feeling better, getting some of his bullshit off of my chest.

“Oh my goodness. I’m sorry, honey.” She does her best to console me.

“It’s okay. I didn’t give him any more attention than what was required.”

“Good. He doesn’t deserve your love, Lore. You’re too kindhearted for him.” Someone says something in the background of the call, probably one of my other aunts. “I have to go before Fauna burns the entire house down. Call us soon, okay?”

“I will,” I answer honestly. “I love you guys so much. Give everyone hugs from me.”

“I will pass them along if they’ll let me. You know how Fauna gets when she’s hungry.” She laughs. “We love you too, sweetie.”

The call ends, and not a second later, a new one starts ringing on my phone. But this time, it’s Phillip.

“Hello?” I answer his call.

“Hey, you. Guess what.” His voice is loud yet seemingly far away, like he’s yelling toward his phone that’s across the room. “Too impatient. I’ll be back in Evermore this afternoon. Took longer than planned but I couldn’t help myself, I’m on vacay. Please tell me you don’t have plans tonight. We have to do something.”

Sunny and I walk into the dorm building and get on the elevator. “Not yet I don’t. What do you have in mind?”

“Dinner,” he answers almost immediately. “I’ll pick you up. Does seven work?”

I nod, then realize he can’t see me. “Yeah, sounds good! I’m excited you’re actually going to be here at school with me. I’ll have a friend of my own.”

“No more putting up with the peasants.” He chuckles.

“Oh, stop it,” I lightly scold him. “Dress code?”

He blows a raspberry. “We’re going to Mataquin, a fancy place, so wear something a bit dressy.”

I’ve been there before. It’s pretty extravagant. It’s a good thing I have a few dresses and gowns that my dad insisted I keep with me for emergency events that required my attendance.

“Seven o’clock. Got it.” I smile.

“See you then, hot stuff.” He ends the call right as Sunny and I reach our room and slip inside.

I guess I’d better figure out what the hell I’m going to wear. Maybe something that would drive Malik insane if he saw me in it.

I wonder how he’d react, knowing I’m going out to dinner with a guy tonight.

Would he be jealous? Would he even care?

My worries and questions fade to the back of my mind as I spend the next two hours playing on my piano and practicing this new piece until I run out of procrastination time and I have to start getting ready.

Opting for a new gown that I haven’t had a chance to wear, I pull it from my closet and hang it on the back of my door while I quickly pop some curls into my hair and apply some glowy, soft makeup on my face.

After finalizing my look with pink lip liner and gloss, I step into the gown and zip the zipper on the back.

The feat of getting ready alone has already fatigued me, one of the more understated symptoms of POTS.

It’s the little things that really weigh me down. Aside from the episode at Blair and Griffin’s, I haven’t fainted in almost a year. But the shortness of breath and never-ending spurts of nausea, fatigue, and brain fog are the soldiers on the front lines, trying to bring me down.

Taking a moment to calm my breathing and heart rate, I lie in bed, resting my feet up on a pillow to keep the blood flow even and smooth. Sunny jumps up in bed next to me, lies down, and rests her head on my stomach.

I brush her soft hair back on her head, and the cute aggression threatens to take me over.

“You are just the prettiest girl, Sunny Bun.”

Her big eyes look up at me, and my heart melts.

Knowing that we’re only going to dinner, I’m not going to bother calling Sunny’s sitter to come over. She’ll be okay for a couple of hours. Besides, she likes her alone time sometimes.

Drinking a few sips from my water bottle, I slowly sit up, taking my time and listening to my body as I rise to my feet. Feeling steady and okay, I grab my purse at the same time that my phone rings. It’s Phillip.

“Hello?” I answer.

“Hey, I’m downstairs. I would greet you at your door, but the building apparently has security.”

Grabbing my keys, I chuckle. “Yeah, no worries. I’m on my way down.”

“All right. See you in a second.” He ends the call.

Looking back at sweet Sunny, I blow her a kiss before stepping into the hallway.

My head swivels as I look for any familiar, cute boys. But the hallway’s empty. Making my way into the elevator, I’m shocked as a hint of sadness slithers into my chest, making my heart ache from not seeing Malik.

But what did I expect? For him to just be waiting outside of my room twenty-four/seven?

No hockey players are spotted when I step off the elevator and head outside. The chilly air flutters my dress, and I hold it down as I spot Phillip and his Rolls-Royce waiting along the curb for me.

All done up in a suit and tie, he leans back against his car. If I were any other girl and we had any other relationship, I might swoon. But it’s just Phillip, and I’m just Alora.

We already tried testing that dynamic out years ago, and we quickly learned we are definitely not romantically compatible.

His face lights up when he sees me. “Well, look at you .” His voice is musical, humming through the air with whimsy. “You look gorgeous, Lore.”

My heels click on the pavement as a smile stretches across my face. “So do you. And you’re so tan.”

“Well, I did just spend the last like week in the Bahamas so …” He trails off as his gaze darts to my right.

I follow his stare, and my stomach flips.

Asher, Dean, Elias, and Malik are walking side by side. An intimidating image—four ripped, over six-feet-tall guys walking toward me. I swallow any lingering fear.

Asher, of course, is the first one to speak. “Alora, my God, you look hot!”

But I’m not looking at him. My eyes are glued to the dark-haired man staring at me so intensely that I think I might catch on fire.

He wets his lips as the group approaches, not deviating his gaze for a second.

My breathing shallows, and I force myself to look over at Asher. “Thank you.”

“You are …” Asher asks Phillip, his tone indiscernible.

“Phillip Stephens.” He sticks out his hand, polite, as always.

Asher shakes it. “And what might your intentions be with our Alora tonight?”

My gaze finds Malik again, but he’s no longer looking at me. Those breathtaking purple orbs are stabbing into Phillip like daggers.

“Friends of yours?” Phillip glances over at me with a smirk on his lips, and I nod. “Alora and I go way back. We’ve known each other since we were kids. We’re going to grab some food and catch up.”

“I love food.” Malik smiles, but there’s no friendliness in his pearly, sharp grin. “What do you guys think? I, for one, could eat.”

I can practically see the steam rolling off of him in waves. I wonder how far I can push this and get under his skin before he snaps. It’s only fair after all …

Closing the distance between Phillip and me, I hook my arm in his. “We only have a reservation for two.”

Malik’s nostrils flare, and his jaw tics. “Is that so?”

I nod firmly. “Yes. Maybe you guys can join next time.”

He steps toward me. “Next time, huh?” Licking his lips like a predator about to pounce, he takes another step toward me without blinking. “Next time, make sure to add another seat to your reservation. I’d love to come.”

Phillip interjects, “Of course. The more, the merrier, right?”

Malik’s gaze flashes his way in a tight squint, and a breathy chuckle chills the air. “ Right .”

Asher and Dean step up to Malik’s side.

“Well, we’d better let you guys get going before you’re late,” Asher says, lightly patting Malik’s chest.

Malik works his jaw before his lips part. But he doesn’t say anything.

Instead, he takes off, storming toward the dorm hall with the rest of the guys on his heels.

“Well, he seems … intense ,” Phillip mutters, opening the passenger door for me.

Sliding into the seat, I buckle myself in. “You have no idea.”

The ride to the restaurant is anything but silent. Phillip starts hounding me with questions. But the moment I mention who the grumpy guy really is, he starts to understand. At least slightly.

“But you hate him,” he says, his words hanging in the air as we pull up into the valet line.

I sigh. “Yes, and no …”

“Oh God,” he groans. “You’re going to have to start from the beginning, Lore. Fill me in.”

Which is exactly what I do.

Phillip’s always been a rock. Confident, strong, and sure. He knows exactly what life will look like for him, and so far, he hasn’t been wrong.

Aside from his girlfriend cheating on him last month and moving in with her new boyfriend days later.

Cheating on Phillip is just gross.

I assure him that he’ll have no problem finding someone new, but he wants to take a break from dating and just focus on his schoolwork for a while. If only I could do the same.

Instead of classes and studies, my mind lingers on Malik. I’m not even sure when that really began, but I know that everything has changed between us. We can’t go back to just hating each other. We’re forced to figure out where we go now. I think I know what I want, but it depends on him. I won’t play his games anymore. I’m tired of them.

But if playing them gets me one step closer to breaking down his walls, I might be willing to play one or two. Even if it means I’m the dumbest, most naive girl in the world who’s assisting in breaking her own heart.

After we devour delicious pasta, Phillip takes me back to my dorm and makes sure I get inside the building safely before pulling away.

I’m exhausted and so excited to kick my heels off, climb into bed, and cuddle with Sunny.

Unlocking the door, I step inside, flicking my heels to the ground and hanging my purse on the hook behind my door.

Sunny’s paws hit the ground, and she trots over to me.

“Hi, baby. How was your night?”

When I bend down, she gives me a little kiss on my chin while I pet her head.

Standing up and rounding the corner, I slam to a halt, my stomach jumping into my throat.

“What the hell are you doing in here?” My heart starts doing flips in my chest while butterflies take flight in my stomach. “How did you even get in here?”

Malik smirks, lying in my bed with absolute ease, his ankles crossed and arm stretched out behind his head.

My body heats from the intensity in his stare, and I suddenly feel like a bug flying headfirst into a trap, confusing the tingly warmth of electricity with the sun.

His voice is raw and sharp. “How was your date ?”