To me, falling in love is nothing more than a chemical reaction in your body. Love itself? It’s not an emotion. I believe it’s something you have to continually work at. It’s being dedicated to one person. That’s all there is to it.
But Carla… she believes in being swept off her feet. She believes in happily ever afters. She’s a dreamer, the total opposite of me.
I let out a sigh and turn on my side.
I also need to be in control of everything in my life, especially in the bedroom. I’ll fucking traumatize Carla.
I shake my head to rid myself of the thought.
I’ll just keep my distance. It’s the best thing to do.
Chapter 2
CARLA
Carla 18; Noah23
It’s been two days since I moved into the suite at Trinity Academy, and I’m excited about the pool party they’ve organized for tonight.
I’m still getting used to constantly running into Noah, though. I thought I was emotionally ready to face him. I mean, it’s been three years since my disastrous confession. But, like the idiot I am, I still love the guy. Don’t ask me why. He sure as hell doesn’t deserve a grain of affection from me.
It’s infuriating to love the person you desperately want to hate.
He still treats me like I’m an annoying toddler, and I know it’s only a matter of time before I lose my shit and give him a piece of my mind.
Surely, it’s not a crime to love someone? Right?
I thought once we were living in the same suite, he’d at least be okay with being friends. But no, it’s a full out war.
It’s fine. Two can play this game, and I have no intention of losing, even though I have no idea if there can be a winner when this all comes to a head.
Letting out a sigh, I look at my reflection in the mirror. I’m wearing a white bikini with black flowers, and the black sandals make my legs look endlessly long. I’m taller than the average girl, but since my curves have filled out nicely, I don’t mind the height that much.
I tie a wrap around my waist and flipping my brown curls over my shoulder, I leave my room.
I join my best friend and cousin, Aria and Forest, in the living room, so we can leave for the party.
I watch as Aria takes hold of my cousin’s hand. I can’t help but think there’s more between them than a fake relationship that’s supposed to be an act because neither of them wants to date right now. I can feel the vibes coming off them.
Shrugging the thoughts away as we walk toward the pool house, a smile forms around my mouth. My friends will be okay. Tonight I just want to have fun.
The instant I step inside, I feel eyes on me. I take a deep breath as three guys approach me. I don’t mind the attention, but nothing will come of it. It’s only ever been Noah for me. All the other guys end up annoying me during the flirting stage, so I cut things short before they can even ask me out on a date.
“Looking hot, Carla,” Adam, who’s a senior at Trinity, says. His eyes slowly sweep up my body, and it makes me feel like a two-dollar hooker.
I narrow my gaze at him, not appreciating the way he's checking me out. “Stop looking at me as if I’m for sale.”
I hear Aria shriek and glance toward the pool, in time to see Noah throwing her into the air before she plunges back into the water.
There’s a jealous stab in my chest.
Why can’t he be like that with me? Instead, he treats me as if I have some disease.
Ignoring Adam and his friends, I walk to a lounge chair and take a seat.
The pool fills up quickly with half-dressed bodies, and soon water is splashing everywhere.
“Noah,” I hear Julianne’s annoyingly high-pitched voice, and my gaze searches for them.
I watch as she places her hand on his arm, and when he pulls away from her, a smile forms around my lips. Glad to see I’m not the only one he’s rejecting. My eyes drift over his chest and his abs.
Ugh, why is he so hot?
Julianne pouts, and I wish I could hear what they’re saying to each other. Noah looks annoyed, and walking away from her, he dives back into the pool.
“Hey, cuz,” Fallon says with a smile as she comes to sit by me.
Surprised to see her, I reply, “Hey, I didn’t know you were coming.”
“I’m just showing my face, and then I’m heading home,” she explains. Her eyes dart to someone behind me, and she grins, “Hey, Noah.”
I instantly freeze, and I try, I really try, but I can’t stop myself from looking over my shoulder. Noah’s busy patting drops from his chest with a towel.
Damn, I wish I was that towel.
“Hi,” he smiles at Fallon. “Where’s Kao?”
Kao’s engaged to my cousin, and he’s also Noah’s best friend.
“He stopped by his parents’ place after work. He’s probably still there.” Fallon climbs to her feet, and her eyes settle on me. “I’m going to hit the road. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
I get up and give her a hug.
Fallon starts to walk away but smiles at Noah. “We’re seeing you this weekend for the big move, right?”
“Yeah,” he replies, and for a second, his eyes lock on me before he turns around and walks away.
Every time he’s friendly with one of the other girls in our group, it digs a chunk of my heart out.
God, I want to hate him. Damn, I’ll even settle for intensely disliking him.
NOAH
It’s hard to adjust to Kao not being at Trinity anymore. Seeing Fallon lessened the loneliness, though.
Damn, I miss my best friend.
Because I’m doing two degrees instead of one like Kao did, I’m stuck at the academy for an extra year.
I glance around at the other students, and there’s not one I remotely want to be friends with. I don’t have the patience for meaningless conversations.
Letting out a sigh, I decide to take one last dip in the pool before returning to the suite. I dive into the water, and coming up on the other side of the pool, I hoist myself out.
“Oh, look what the cat dragged in,” I hear Carla’s voice.
My gaze sweeps over her, and taking in the scant pieces of fabric barely covering her sexy-as-fuck body, I tilt my head and ask, “Did you only get half your pocket money this month, and that’s why you couldn’t afford the other half of that bathing suit?”
Carla’s eyes narrow on me, but then she shakes her head, and impersonating Buzz Lightyear from Toy Story, she says, “You are a sad, strange little man, and you have my pity.”
This girl… Fuck she annoys the living hell out of me with her impersonations.
Since she declared her love to me three years ago, I’ve done my best to stay away from her. I can’t even bring myself to think of her as anything more than a kid. Yeah, she might be all long legs, curves, and a beautiful face, but still, she’ll always be a kid to me.
I take a step closer to her and say, “Don’t you think it’s time you grow up, little girl? You’re in the adult world now.”
“God, help me,” Carla hisses, anger making her features tighten.
Forest grabs hold of her arm, and his eyes lock on mine. “That’s enough.”