Author's POV:
As the final school bell rang, signaling the end of another mundane day,
"That's the end of today's topic, see you guys later,"
the teacher said and exited the class.
Xander stood up with his backpack — he hadn't even unpacked anything.
He watched Holly pack up her scattered textbooks, her table a mess of notes and pages.
Guess she loves unpacking, he thought, a soft chuckle escaping his lips.
He bent down, picked up her cold flask, and tucked it beside her bag.
"After you," he said, gesturing with an expression he couldn't quite define.
He didn't understand why he was feeling so weird — why the cold version of himself seemed to be fading away.
For once, he actually cared about someone aside from Jena and David — the only two people who had ever mattered to him.
Not even his parents could fill their places; they had never made him feel loved.
And the worst part? They never even had a reason for it.
But losing Jena… that was a nightmare he could never wake up from.
The flash of her lifeless body — cold, pale, and gone — still tore him apart with guilt.
If only he'd been there sooner.
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Author's POV:
"Bye!" Bella called, waving to her team as she prepped for her ride home — then froze.
She spotted Alex walking alongside Holly.
Surprised, she tilted her head.
Alex — the cold, lonely guy from just weeks ago — walking with someone?
That was new.
Bella was the school's friendly, funny, and popular football star — athletic, charming, and full of life.
She remembered seeing something weird between the two of them after lunch earlier — a strange tension, quiet but deep.
Still, she brushed it off, too frustrated about the drawn match with Jace.
She ignored Alex, but couldn't help walking up to them — focusing her smile only on Holly.
"Hey, Holly!" she called, casting a quick, indifferent glance at Alex.
Holly smiled tiredly and side-hugged her.
Alexander's POV:
"You know, it's so nice meeting someone as friendly as you. It's like we've known each other forever," Bella said to Holly, teasing smirk on her lips.
I knew Bella was friendly — but I never knew she could be so sharp.
Not that she hated me; she just liked making me think she did.
Still, she's the one who gave me the nickname DHG — "Deaf Dumb Handsome Guy."
And because it came from her, everyone made it stick.
Lucky me.
"Yeah, it's all you. Thanks once again," Holly said with her tired look.
"My pleasure," Bella replied, hugging her before her driver pulled up.
She hopped in, waved, and was gone.
"Bye, Xander," Holly said, walking toward the school gate.
"And where are you heading to?" I asked.
She turned, a bit surprised.
"Home, of course," she said, giving me that where else would I go? look.
I walked closer. "I thought you were expecting your driver… or maybe you drive yourself?"
She sighed. "Lucky guess. Unfortunately, we can't employ any domestic staff anymore — things have been hard. Plus, I can't drive, so… public bus it is."
She walked away, not looking back.
Something inside me twisted — guilt, maybe? Or just something… different.
I didn't want to feel this way. But I also couldn't watch her leave like that.
"Fine. Let me give you a ride," I said.
She paused, poker-faced again.
"Really? For real, I'm fine," she replied, though her tone softened slightly.
"I insist," I said, stepping past her — the look on my face saying I wasn't backing down.
She sighed. "Okay, thank you. I really appreciate it."
"Poker girl," I muttered under my breath.
"This way," I said, leading her to the parking lot.
We got in. I started the engine — the low hum filling the silence between us.
"Where are we heading?" I asked, eyes fixed on the road.
She glanced out the window. "Next avenue on the right."
"Alright," I said, calculating — that's only five streets away from my house.
Moments later, I pulled over.
"Here we are."
She unbuckled, ready to leave.
"Can I get your contact?" I asked.
"Let me get yours," she said, handing me her phone.
I dialed my number and passed it back.
"Ok, bye," I said.
"Bye, Xander," she smiled softly and turned down the avenue.
I watched her go — the wind tugging at her hair — before driving off into the fading light.