**~~EVA~~**
Eva smiled as she scrolled through her phone, engrossed in a series of Instagram reels. This was her favorite way to unwind, especially here in the nearby park. The area was surrounded by lush greenery, and a serene lake shimmered nearby. She often sat on a familiar bench, letting the fresh air fill her lungs and feeling her worries melt away.
Today was no different. After a hectic day at college, she had escaped to her sanctuary-a bench in the botanical garden. The vibrant flowers and towering trees provided a peaceful backdrop, far removed from the campus’s constant noise.
A chuckle escaped her lips as she watched a particularly funny reel. Suddenly, her phone was yanked from her hand. Startled, she spun around to see who had taken it, only to find herself face-to-face with Ezra.
Her initial frown deepened when she recognized him, and she rolled her eyes in exasperation. “Give me my phone back,” she demanded, standing up from the comfortable bench.
Ezra grinned mischievously, holding her phone out of reach. “What are you watching?” he teased, his eyes glinting with amusement.
Eva stretched on her tiptoes, trying to snatch her phone back, but Ezra easily kept it away from her reach, holding it high above her head. “Instagram reels,” he said, glancing at the screen.
“What do you want, Ezra?” she sighed deeply, her voice tinged with frustration after multiple failed attempts to retrieve her phone.
He smirked, leaning closer. “Hmm… I love it when you say my name, especially when you moan it,” he said, his voice low and suggestive.
Eva recoiled, her face twisting in disgust. “There’s nothing more Disgusting than you, Ezra,” she shot back.
“Oh wow, I’m hurt,” he said mockingly, placing a hand over his heart.
“Just give me my phone and let’s end this nonsense,” she insisted, reaching out again. But instead of handing it over, Ezra used the moment to pull her closer, wrapping an arm around her waist.
“What the hell… Ezra, let go of me!” she exclaimed, pushing against his chest.
He held her firmly, his expression softening slightly. “I know you still have feelings for me, Eva. Stop pretending. Let’s go back to how things were. I like you, you like me. Let’s start over, Let’s date,” he said, getting straight to the point.
“Oh my God, am I supposed to be overjoyed to be your girlfriend again? Is that what you want, Ezra? After everything you did to me?” Eva’s voice trembled as she pounded his chest with her fists, her anger and pain spilling out.
Ezra winced but tried to maintain his composure. “I didn’t mean it,” he muttered, but Eva’s eyes narrowed in disbelief.
“Didn’t mean it?” she echoed, her voice rising. “You used me, Ezra. You dumped me, and I was too stupid to see it at first. Then you used me again and did the exact same thing. Let me tell you something: people might believe in second chances, but I’ve never seen anyone get a third. You’re a disease, Ezra. And if you have any decency left, you won’t go around ruining other girls’ mental health like you did mine.” Her voice cracked, and tears streamed down her flushed cheeks.
Ezra’s grip loosened, and he stepped back, his expression faltering. He knew he had a pattern of using girls, but hearing Eva’s words cut deeper than he expected. He had never seen her so hurt, and the reality of his actions hit him hard.
“I’m sorry,” he said quietly, his eyes dropping to the ground. “I was a fool.”
“You’re still a fool,” Eva shot back, her voice sharp.
Ezra nodded, unable to argue. “Yeah, I know.”
“It’s cruel to go around breaking hearts like it’s nothing,” she continued, her voice steadier now. “We’re human beings, Ezra. Imagine if someone did that to someone you care about.”
Ezra’s mind flashed to his sister, Selena. The thought of someone treating her the way he had treated Eva made his stomach churn. He knew he would never stand for it.
“I get it,” he said softly, finally handing the phone back to her. “I’m really sorry, Eva.”
Eva took her phone, her gaze lingering on him for a moment before she turned away, her shoulders still shaking with the remnants of her anger and grief.
~~SELENA~~
My face turned tomato-red as Marco gently wiped the whipped cream from the corner of my lips. I felt a flush of warmth that wasn’t just from the hot pretzel in my hand.
“Thank you, but you shouldn’t have,” I said, trying to sound nonchalant, though my face betrayed how much I appreciated the gesture.
“I wanted to,” he replied with a smile that made my heart skip a beat. I couldn’t help but smile back as I took another bite of my pretzel.
It might seem like I was just using Marco to heal, but that wasn’t true at all. Marco made me feel safe, and his genuine interest in my life felt like a breath of fresh air. He wanted to know everything about me-my favorite food, my favorite team, and so much more.
I discovered that he was in the same year as Reggie and had been at this school the whole time. It baffled me that our paths hadn’t crossed before now.
“The pretzels here are amazing,” Marco said, savoring his bite.
“Yeah, they’re the best I’ve ever had,” I agreed. He had brought me to this charming little restaurant I’d heard about but never visited.
“So, tell me about your family,” he said, his eyes locked onto mine with sincere curiosity.
Oh, Lord. Mentioning my four brothers usually scared guys off; they didn’t like the idea of dating a girl with so many protective siblings. I took a deep breath. “Okay… I have one sister and… four brothers,” I said with a hesitant smile, watching for his reaction.
He nodded thoughtfully. “I wish I had siblings. I’m an only child.”
“That must have been nice-the attention,” I said, trying to find a silver lining.
“Attention? Not really,” he said, shaking his head. “I mostly lived with my grandmother because my parents were always traveling. They’ve been away a lot since I was a kid.”
I felt a pang of sympathy. “I’m sorry to hear that,” I said, reaching out to touch his hand gently.
“It’s okay. I’m used to it,” he said, his smile soft but genuine.
I squeezed his hand, hoping to offer some comfort. “Well, you have me now,” I said, my smile matching his.
Marco’s gaze softened, his eyes shimmering with warmth as he leaned in and gently pecked my cheek. His touch was light, but it sent a ripple of warmth through me.
“You’re really beautiful,” he said softly, his eyes never leaving mine.
“Thanks,” I murmured, my smile widening, feeling a mix of shyness and delight.
He studied my face with a tender intensity. “You have such unique eyes,” he said, inching closer and lightly touching my cheek.
His fingers brushed my skin softly, sending a shiver down my spine. I felt a connection in his gaze, something genuine and caring, and I couldn’t help but lean slightly into his touch, feeling a flutter in my chest.
“Can I kiss you?” Marco’s question caught me off guard, but I smiled and nodded. As he leaned in, ready to close the distance between us, I felt a sudden yank on my arm, pulling me away from him.
I turned to see Cyrus, glaring at both of us with clear annoyance.
“What the hell?” I exclaimed, loud enough to draw the attention of nearby diners. My frown deepened as I processed what Cyrus had just done.
Marco looked baffled, but his confusion quickly turned to understanding as he stood up. “I’m taking you home,” Cyrus said, his grip on my hand firm and unyielding. I tried to pull away, my frustration boiling over, but he held on tightly.
Marco stepped forward, his posture tense. “I think you should let her go,” he said evenly, trying to keep his cool despite the height advantage Cyrus had.
Cyrus sneered. “You’re amusing, Selena. Is this your new toy?” His grip on my hand tightened, and I winced slightly.
“Leave her alone,” Marco insisted, his voice growing firmer.
“Shut the fuck up,” Cyrus snapped, loud enough to make heads turn our way. “This is family business, and you’re just a toy to keep her entertained.”
I had never seen Cyrus this angry before. Marco hesitated but then nodded reluctantly when I mouthed, “I’ll call you.”
I didn’t want to make a scene. If Cyrus told my brothers that he found me almost kissing a guy when I was supposed to be at school, I’d be in serious trouble.
“Let’s go,” Cyrus commanded, still holding my hand as he led me out of the restaurant.
I followed, fuming but silent, knowing any resistance would only make things worse. Outside, we reached his car. Cyrus opened the door, and I slid into the passenger seat, my arms crossed and eyes fixed on the dashboard. He shut the door with a force that made the whole car shake before walking around to the driver’s side.
As he settled into his seat and started the engine, the silence between us was thick and tense. I could feel his anger radiating in waves, and I stared out the window, my mind racing with a mixture of anger and confusion at the sudden turn of events.
“Following boys now?” Cyrus asked, his eyes fixed on the road ahead as we drove through the city streets. I remained silent, my gaze drifting out the window to the passing buildings and people.
“Funny, Ezra would be so excited to hear this,” he continued, a hint of mocking amusement in his voice.
I clenched my jaw, but stayed quiet, not wanting to escalate the tension further.
“That boy over me? Funny…” Cyrus chuckled darkly, his grip tightening slightly on the steering wheel.
“So he fucks you now?” he sneered, his tone turning accusatory.
“Not everybody is like you, Cyrus. Not everyone just wants a girl’s body,” I retorted, my voice firm despite the anger simmering beneath the surface.
Cyrus glanced at me sharply, his expression hardening. “You think that idiot doesn’t want your body? All boys want your body, Selena. Don’t delude yourself into thinking you’ve found some Prince Charming, because your only Prince Charming is me.”
“Just me,” he declared, his voice laced with possessiveness and dominance.
TBC