My Fault!

Noah woke up in pieces.

Her skin was warm against Nick's chest, her thigh thrown over his hip, her hand curled loosely against his stomach. The room was bathed in soft gray light, the storm having passed sometime before dawn.

And for a moment — a fragile, dangerous moment — it felt like love.

Not lust. Not rebellion. Just two people holding each other like they belonged.

But reality doesn't wait.

It kicked in the second she heard her mother's heels echo down the hallway.

Noah bolted upright.

> "Shit," she whispered.

Nick stirred beside her, his arm reaching for her instinctively.

> "Don't go," he muttered, voice rough with sleep.

> "I have to."

> "Stay."

> "If anyone sees me, we're dead."

She threw on her hoodie, grabbed her underwear from the floor, and darted to the door. Before slipping out, she turned back — and saw him there, half-covered by the sheets, watching her like she was already gone.

> "This doesn't change anything," she said, more to herself than him.

> "It changes everything," he replied.

---

She made it back to her room unseen.

Barely.

But inside, the silence was different now. Heavier. Not empty — but full of secrets, skin, and all the words they hadn't said.

She didn't sleep again.

---

At breakfast, the world tried to pretend nothing had happened.

Her mother talked about charity auctions. William read the news on his tablet. Nick showed up ten minutes late, freshly showered, jaw clean-shaven, and expression unreadable.

He didn't look at her.

Not once.

Noah sat perfectly still, pretending her thighs weren't sore and her heart wasn't bruised.

---

School was worse.

Daniella caught her in the hallway, grinning like a vulture.

> "Rough night?" she asked.

> "Didn't sleep," Noah said with a fake smile.

> "Pity. Nick was out early. Looked like he'd been thoroughly entertained."

Something dark twisted in Noah's chest.

> "You think I'm jealous?" she asked.

> "Aren't you?"

> "Of someone who wears desperation like perfume? Not a chance."

Daniella leaned in, voice cold.

> "You don't know him, girl. You're just a phase."

> "Then I hope I ruin him."

---

Noah slammed her locker shut and walked off before Daniella could see the flicker of doubt behind her eyes.

Was she just a phase?

Was last night just sex to him?

Was she lying to herself?

---

She cornered Nick that afternoon — outside near the parking lot, where the noise couldn't cover their silence.

> "You're ignoring me."

> "I'm trying to protect you."

> "By pretending I don't exist?"

> "By keeping us from blowing up in public."

He looked exhausted. Strung out. Like he hadn't slept either.

> "You kissed me like I was yours," she whispered.

> "You are," he said.

> "Then why are you acting like you regret it?"

> "Because I do," he snapped — then flinched like the words had punched him too.

She stared at him, chest tightening.

> "Wow," she said quietly. "You got what you wanted. I guess that's all I ever was."

> "Don't," he said, stepping forward.

> "Don't what? Don't act hurt? Don't act like I let you see me and you spat it back in my face?"

> "I regret it," he said again. Softer now. "Because I don't know how to be with you without breaking you."

> "Then maybe I should let you."

---

She turned and walked away — not because she wanted to, but because staying would've broken her first.