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Chapter 2

Cora

A ge 15

Standing in front of the full length mirror, I stare at my reflection.

The uniforms aren't as bad as I thought they would be, the colors really aren’t working for me.

“The look on your face makes me think someone is forcing you to wear the ugly dress your grandma picked out and swore it was adorable.” Zack’s voice sounds from my doorway.

My attention jerks over my shoulder as a blush creeps over my cheeks. “Oh, shut up.” I huff out a laugh.

It’s been two months since I moved into this house. Two months since I met Zack. And two months since I’ve developed one of the biggest crushes I’ve ever had on a boy.

But, I’ve been doing my best to push those feelings down deep, hoping they smother and die.

“Seriously, Cor, it doesn’t look bad. Heck, if anything, you pull that uniform off better than most girls in the school.”

“Really?” I ask, his words making me feel slightly better as I look back in the mirror. The uniform consists of a white dress shirt, topped with a navy blazer. We had the option of slacks or skirts but Zack swore none of the girls wore slacks, apart from the band kids.

Thankfully, the skirt isn’t too short, it’s also navy and stops just above the knees. The only perk about this whole outfit is that we can wear whatever we want for shoes.

My eyes search out Zack in the mirror and my belly swoops when I notice him watching me. “What?”

He blinks a few times and shakes his head. “Nothing,” he chuckles. “Come on, daredevil, let’s get your wild self to school.”

“Really?” I sigh heavily. “You're sticking with that nickname?”

“Oh, yeah.” He grins menacingly. “Can’t live that one down with me around.”

From day one, Zack made it clear that he didn’t like my dad. Months later, he still hasn’t changed his mindset. I don’t blame him. The niceness my dad shows him is all fake. He puts on a face when Rose is around, but acts like Zack doesn’t exist every other time.

It doesn’t sit right with me, I don’t like it.

Zack, however, has made it his mission for us to be best friends. At first, I was a ball of nerves every time we hung out. All I did was be mindful about everything I was doing, making sure I didn’t do anything embarrassing.

But it didn’t take long before I forgot about it and just let loose. Zack is funny, and a good guy to be around.

That nickname though, that's something I didn’t expect to get.

Over the summer, Zack took me on a walk, showing me around town and all the things the kids got into when they had nothing better to do with their time.

We ended up going to a party, one I didn’t want to go to because I’m not the most social person. He begged and pleaded, so how was I going to tell him no? At that point I think I would have done anything he asked me to do. So I caved.

It ended up being fun. Zack introducedme to some of his friends and some other students I’d be going to school with in the fall.

When I let it slip that it was my fifteenth birthday, Zack looked like I betrayed him by not telling him beforehand and somehow we ended up drunk.

How the nickname came into place, I guess drunk Cora is Miss Adventure, because I insisted on heading down to the lake. Others came with us and we ended up playing truth or dare.

I got dared to go swimming with my clothes on. Zack told me I didn’t have to but I was overly insistent on doing it. Everyone started chanting my name, sending a thrill through me as I ran towards the water.

It was cold and I regretted it. But Zack had a grin on his face as he chuckled, slinging an arm around me as he told me he didn’t think I had it in me. Then called me Daredevil.

That made it all worth it. Until moments like this when he brings it up.

“You're the worst.” I sigh, not meaning a single word as I grab my bag off the bed.

“Nah, I’m the best.” He winks. He really is though.

The drive to school is filled with loud music, Zack’s bad singing, and a belly full of nerves.

When we pull up to the school, I’m instantly in shock.

“You're doing it again,” Zack sighs.

I blink a few times before looking at him. “Doing what?”

“That thing where you’refrozen in shocked awe at the things around you.” He chuckles.

My brows furrow. “How would you know that?”

“I see things, Cora,” he says, his eyes searching mine. “A lot more than you know.”

My heart starts to race as my eyes flick between his. We stare at each other for a moment before someone bangs on Zack’s window, making us both jolt in surprise.

Zack whirls around to see who’s there then curses. “Fucking dickhead.” Zack chuckles.

He gets out and pushes his best friend, Tyler. “Hey, watch it, man.” Tyler laughs. The two of them start to tussle so I get out of the car and awkwardly wait by the front.

Should I just leave and go try to find my classes on my own? Just because Zack and I are friends now, doesn’t mean he wants me hanging around him all the time.

I’m about to leave when Zack calls my name. “Cora. Where are you going?”

“Ah, school?” I joke.

“Wait up.” He grabs his bag from the back. “Sorry about this dickwad.”

“Hey, Cora.” Tyler nods his head at me.

“Hi.” I met Tyler over the summer. He’s a pretty cool guy and doesn’t seem to care that I’ve been tagging along with Zack.

“How was the rest of your summer?” he asks me.

“Not bad. Sad it’s over,” I tell him.

“Oh, come on.” Zack says, tossing his arm over my shoulder. “This year’s going to be life changing.”

“Since when are you a fan of school, Zack,” a voice chuckles. I look over to see a girl approaching us.

“No one asked you, Kimmy,” Zack teases, flipping her off.

She just grins wider. “And no one gives a shit what you think, Zack.”

Zack smirks and rolls his eyes. “Kimmy, meet Cora. My mom’s new husband’s daughter.”

I give him a look. What an odd way to describe it.

“You mean stepsister?” Kimmy laughs and Zack makes a face as if the label doesn’t sit right with him. My heart sinks. Does he not want me to be his stepsister? I thought we were getting along fine.

“Sure, yeah, I guess,” he says, shoving his hands in his pockets. “But, I’d say bestie is a better description.” He gives me a wink. I look away quickly, trying not to blush.

“Hi, Cora. I’m this asshole’s other bestie.” She points to Zack. “And this asshole’s little sister.” She points to Tyler.

“We’re twins.” Tyler points out.

“Ah.” I laugh with a nod.

“So, how do you like West Point so far? Sorry I wasn’t around to meet you this summer. Mom wanted to go on a cruise and I couldn’t say no to a summer away,” she shrugs.

“It was good.” I smile as I find myself slowly taking in her features. She’s really pretty with long brown hair and bright blue eyes. She’s a little bit taller than me, lean like she’s an athlete. I can already tell she’s not one of those mean girls who act nice to your face. I just get this good vibe from her. I hope I don’t turn out to be wrong. If she’s Zack’s best friend, she’s going to be around often.

“Come on, I’ll show you around.” Kimmy grabs my hand and pulls me towards the door.

“Hey, woman, you're stealing my best friend. Get back here,” Zack shouts.

Laughing, we start to run towards the doors. “Never!” Kimmy shouts back then looks at me with a smile on her face.

Something inside me shifts as I smile back. She looks away and stops when we get to the front door. “Knowing Zack, he’s going to try to steal all your time. But he already gets to live with you, so he’s going to have to live without you today so we can become besties and I can steal you away from him.” She grins, giving me a wink.

Maybe this new school won’t be so bad after all?

For the rest of the day, Kimmy stays by my side. She seems like a very social person. Everywhere we go, someone is coming up to her and talking about things and people I don’t know.

She introduces me as her new friend and my heart races just the smallest bit. I’m happy. A lot happier than I thought I’d be.

I had myself convinced that moving to a new town and a new school was going to be bad. While I feel a bit out of my comfort zone, it’s not too bad.

By the end of the day, I feel at home. People say goodbye to me as we walk out of the school and into the parking lot.

“Want a ride home with me?” Kimmy asks.

“Oh.” I blink and look over to where Zack is standing next to his car. He smiles when he sees me and my belly swoops as he waves me over. “Wouldn’t it be easier to just have Zack take me home?”

Zack is a year older than me, making him sixteen. He just got a new car for his birthday and insisted on driving us to school. Not going to lie, Zack is a little scary behind the wheel.

“My mom doesn’t mind. I was thinking we could hang out a bit more.” She bites her lower lip and looks around. “Look, here's the deal. I’m a really up front person. So, I’m gonna be honest. Apart from Zack, I don’t have a lot of friends. Most people only pretend because of who my parents are. And, well I think you're cool and you clearly don’t know who they are, and if you did, you didn’t make it known at all. And I like that.” She shrugs, vulnerability shining in her eyes.

My eyes widen slightly, a little surprised at her words. She doesn’t have many friends? But so many people knew her, talked to her. She’s popular from the looks of it.

And then I remember how lonely that can be. I was a part of the popular crowd at my old school and for the most part, it’s all for show. Putting on a smile, laughing when you think you have to.

But at the end of the day, there was no one I could really depend on, to call if I needed someone.

“Cora, say something before I feel like the biggest idiot.” she groans.

“I’d love to hang out.” I smile, an ungodly level of happiness filling me.

“Really?” she grins wide. “Oh, thank god. Come on. I want to rub it in Zack’s face before we go meet my mom on the other side of the parking lot.”

She takes off running towards Zack who’s watching us with a curious look. I haven’t seen much of him today, only when we sat with him at lunch. When Kimmy said she was gonna steal me away, she wasn’t kidding.

I kind of feel bad though because Zack said he was going to show me around the school and introduce me to some more people.

I follow after her and make it to them just in time to hear her say. “Hi. She’s mine, Ward. Suck it.”

“What?” his brows furrow.

“I’m stealing her away and she’s gonna come hang out at my place.”

“Oh.” Zack’s eyes flick over to me. “I was going to see if you wanted to watch a movie.”

My heart sinks. “You were?”

“Watch the movie later. You live together.” Kimmy waves him off.

“Why don’t I just come with you?” He asks. “I can follow along in my car.”

“Let the girls go, man,” Tyler says, joining us. “Tilly said we can go over to her place to swim. I mean come on dude, girls in bikinis!”

The image of that doesn’t sit right with me and by the looks of it, Kimmy doesn’t seem to like that idea too as I watch a flash of what I think is jealousy cross her face.

Zack grins. “You know what, that sounds so much better than watching you two try on clothes or whatever girls do.”

“Make sure to keep it in your pants, Zack. Heard Tilly made her rounds this summer.” Kimmy scoffs and this is the first time I’ve seen her act... bitchy? Something doesn’t seem right.

“Whatever.” Zack rolls his eyes. “I’ll see you at home, Daredevil.” He grins at me and winks. “Later, losers.” He gets into his car and Tyler lets out a whoop before getting into the passenger's side.

“Stupid boys.” Kimmy mutters as we watch the car drive away.

“Are you okay? You seemed pissed.”

She sighs. “I am. Why is he such a dumbass?”

“Who? Zack?”

“Yeah, Zack. The stupid boy is blind.” She huffs as she starts to walk away.

I run to catch up with her. “Blind about what?”

“Me. Us. I don’t know.” She shoots me a look. “Promise not to tell?”

“Of course.” I might have just met her today, but I’m not one to really gossip.

“So, I’m kind of maybe madly in love with my brother’s best friend.” She cringes.

My heart drops and I feel sick. “You mean...”

“Zack.” She sighs heavily. “I've been crushing so hard on that boy since I knew what boys were. But, we’re best friends and I would never do something to risk that, you know? Ugh, it just sucks. I know we won’t ever be something, but a part of me hopes he feels the same way. But maybe that's messed up because like I said, I wouldn’t risk dating him and losing him as a friend.”

I know I shouldn’t be jealous and I have no right to be disappointed, Zack is my step brother. Our parents are married. If anyone can’t be together, it would be me and him. Not that he would ever feel that way about me in a million years.

“That sucks.” I tell her. “But, I agree with not dating your best friend.” Little did I know, I’d come to hate my own words later on. “Real friends are hard to come by and who knows how you will feel later on. Who knows, you might meet a really good guy and forget about Zack all together.” I shrug, part of me is hoping that's exactly what happens with me. “We’re only fifteen after all.”

“Ugh, you sound like my mom.” She groans.

“Thanks?” I laugh.

“Come on,” she says. “And thanks, you know, for listening. I’ve never told a soul and I never plan on telling another.”

“Anytime. What are friends for?” I smile. And I mean it. Even if I’m not a fan of what she told me.

“You know, Cora, me and you, we’re gonna be unstoppable.” She laughs as we stop in front of a friggin limo.

She pulls the door open. “Hey, mom. I’m bringing a friend over.”

A pretty woman with a business suit sits in the back seat. She gives Kimmy a warm smile. “A friend you say? Well, any friends of yours are welcome over.”

We climb in. “Hi.” I wave. “I’m Cora.”

“This is Zack's new step-sister,” Kimmy informs her.

“Oh, Cora, hi. It’s so nice to meet you. I’m Abby.”

“I’m stealing her away from Zack, by the way. Partly, because I don’t want him replacing me as his bestie, no offense,” she tells me.

“None taken.” I laugh.

“And because Cora is cool.”

“Thanks.” I smile.

We all sit in silence for a moment before Kimmy looks from me, to her mom and back to me. “Soooo.”

“So what?” I ask her.

“My mom?”

“What about your mom?” I shift awkwardly.

“You really don’t know who she is?” Kimmy’s brows jump.

“Am I supposed to?” I ask, furrowing my brow.

“Fuck yes!” Kimmy cheers leaving me very confused.

“Kimberly,” Abby scolds. “Language.”

“Sorry, mom, but do you have any idea how rare it is to find someone who doesn’t know my mom is a famous fashion designer?!”

“Oh, you are? That's cool.”

“You don’t follow fashion do you?” Kimmy asks.

“No, sorry.” I blush.

“Don’t be. But, if we’re going to be besties, you're going to have to learn. I plan on following in my mom’s footsteps.” She smiles over at her mom.

“Alright then.” I laugh. “I guess you're going to have to teach me.”

A few hours later, Kimmy’s mom drops me off at home. Kimmy’s place is really nice, a lot like this place. But her room is unlike any I've seen before. Mostly her closet, which is overflowing with clothes.

When I get inside, I say hi to Rose who lets me know my dad has gone out. I don’t care, I never do. We hardly talk anymore. He doesn’t like Zack, and doesn’t like me hanging out with him so much. Not that he’s voiced it, but I can see it in the way he is when Rose isn’t around.

“Zack is in the TV room if you're looking for him,” Rose tells me.

“Really?” I asked, surprised. Why is he home so soon? It’s only six.

After changing out of my school clothes, I head down to the basement. Rose was right, Zack is sitting on the couch, the massive screen in front of him playing some TV show.

“Hey,” I say, sitting down next to him.

He looks over at me. “Hey. Back so soon?”

“I should be asking you that.” I smirk.

He shrugs, looking back at the screen. “Wasn’t any fun.”

“Huh.” I nod, trying not to smile. “Wanna watch that movie you were talking about?”

He smiles. “Yeah?”

“Yeah.” I laugh, shifting a little closer to him.

I know I shouldn’t like this, being next to him, just us alone. And with what Kimmy told me, I should put distance between us. Even if Kimmy swears they won’t ever be together.

But I don’t, letting him settle back into the couch. We look at each other and smile before he presses play.

Even if I enjoy these moments a little too much, I’m not going to let it ruin what I have with Zack. We too will never be anything more. And I don’t want to ruin my new friendship with Kimmy.

I just hope I can take my own advice and find a guy who will make me forget all about Zack.

If there even is someone who could.

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