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Part 45
The week after the truth-or-dare game was… different.
Everywhere Anna turned, Nick and Kylie seemed to be together.
In the cafeteria, Kylie slid into the seat next to Nick before anyone else could. Her laugh echoed across the room as she leaned just a little too close, her perfectly manicured hand brushing his arm like it belonged there.
In the library, she wasn't reading. She was lounging on the armrest of his chair, whispering jokes while Nick smirked and shook his head, pretending to be annoyed — but not moving her away.
On the sports ground, Kylie stood at the sidelines, sunglasses on, sipping her iced coffee while cheering for only one player: Nick Carter.
And the whispers had already begun.
"Did you see them?"
"They're always together now."
"Kylie Sinclair and Nick Carter? That's… a power couple."
Anna heard it all, and every word stung.
She tried to tell herself it didn't matter. She had Ethan — and Ethan was possessive, protective, everything she'd ever wanted in a boyfriend. But whenever her eyes betrayed her, whenever they landed on Nick, standing there with Kylie's hand casually tucked into the crook of his arm, something inside her twisted.
One afternoon in the common hall, Anna caught sight of them again. Kylie was flipping her silky hair, laughing at something Nick had said. Nick, in his usual effortless style, leaned against the wall, his deep voice low and smooth, his eyes half-lidded like he wasn't even trying — but Kylie was shining under his attention.
Anna felt her heart clench. She forced her gaze away, pretending to be busy with Ethan, but the truth was clear: Kylie was becoming Nick's shadow. And the worst part? He was letting her.
That night, Anna overheard a group of girls giggling near the dorm entrance.
"Kylie's upgraded," one whispered. "From rich to richer. The Sinclair princess with the Carter heir."
"They actually look good together," another added. "Like… untouchable."
Anna's throat tightened. Untouchable. That used to be her.
But Kylie was clever. She wasn't clinging, she wasn't desperate. She gave Nick just enough space to make it look effortless, but stayed close enough to make everyone else believe there was something real between them.
And Nick — for reasons Anna couldn't understand — wasn't stopping her.
The next day, during lunch, Kylie leaned in, whispering something in Nick's ear. He chuckled — a rare, genuine sound that Anna hadn't heard in weeks. Kylie's red lips curved into a victorious smile.
Anna's spoon clattered onto her tray. Ethan noticed instantly, his brows furrowing. "What's wrong?"
Anna forced a smile. "Nothing. Absolutely nothing."
But inside, she knew: Kylie wasn't just close to Nick. She was winning ground that Anna once held.
And for the first time, Anna realized she might not be able to stop it.
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