24

HUDSON

I WAS ON THE SIDELINES WITH ELI, nursing a cup comprising an unknown concoction. He'd convinced me to come to this party, stating that I couldn't spend the next two weeks in my room or on the slopes. Despite my disbelief, he had a knack for pushing me beyond my comfort zone.

A sudden shift in the atmosphere drew my attention. My gaze flicked over to the clearing. And there she was. The girl I couldn't stop thinking about. My heart skipped a beat, but I feigned indifference. Our eyes connected amidst the chaotic party, but I turned my attention to Eli.

"What?" I asked as I noticed him looking at me with a knowing smile.

"How long will you pretend you're not madly in love with her?"

My eyes were downcast, avoiding his all-knowing eyes.

"I'm not pretending. I'm just withholding."

"That's the same thing."

I shook my head.

"I'm not the guy a girl like Luna Delgato falls in love with."

He opened his mouth, but a commotion erupted nearby, drawing our attention. Our heads turned as people gathered around the open water. Cynthia and her band of Barbies gather ed, laughing and pointing at something in the water. I squinted to see the figure in the water, then gasped. Luna.

The memories of that summer pool party flashed through my mind. One incident that instilled a lifetime of fear in her. I shrugged off my jacket and rushed into the water without a second thought. I reached her just as she was about to sink into the darkness, my heart pounding with fear. Ignoring the icy chill, I pulled her to the surface. She gasped for breath, her eyes wide with terror and her body trembling from the cold.

Maya and Eli hurried over to help us out, and I wasted no time wrapping my jacket around her. I didn't care if I got hypothermia. With a fierce glare at Cynthia, I lifted Luna into my arms and carried her back to the resort.

Once inside her room, I lit the fireplace to warm the chilly air, leaving her in front of it to set up a shower. I returned to discover her in the same spot, gazing into the fire with an empty expression.

"You need to take a shower and get warm."

She didn't speak as she stood up, with my jacket clutched against her, and walked into the bathroom. I walked to my room, in desperate need of getting warm. The cold seeped into my bones as I walked back in a thin shirt.

I waited a while before leaving my room to check up on Luna. Opening the door, she appeared frightened, as if realizing the situation. Tears were streaming down her cheeks like a waterfall. I hesitated before wrapping her in my arms. I led her to her bed, keeping one arm around her, as I opened her bed sheets with the other.

"Get some sleep."

I guided her onto the mattress before tucking her in, even reaching for the spare blanket on Cynthia's bed. She could freeze for all I cared. After covering Luna with blankets, I left the room, until Luna's voice stopped me.

"Hudson." she said, the tiredness deep in her voice. "Will you please stay here? I can't deal with being alone with Cynthia."

I hesitated, not wanting to reel myself back into this situation, but I'd never been able to say no to Luna. The recliner looked uncomfortable, but I made my way there, hanging my jacket over it.

"No," she said. "Stay in here with me."

I did not know what she was talking about until she lifted the bedcovers. My muscles were tense as I climbed beside her. I kept my hands on my abdomen, afraid of moving a muscle. My heart almost combusted as she wrapped her arm around my torso and placed her head on my chest. I didn't breathe, afraid she'd move away. But as she nestled into my chest, I loosened up. I watched her sleeping form, admiring the delicate curve of her features and how her eyelashes fluttered against her cheeks.

I brushed a strand of hair away from her face before caressing her cheek with the pad of my thumb. I closed my eyes, relaxing in the bed's warmth. Her presence comforted me. My knuckles drew against her cheekbone as I waited for sleep to claim me.

?

The morning light seeped through the room, casting a soft glow on our entwined figures. I didn't want to wake her, enjoying having her in my arms. As she awakened, I stiffened. She jumped out of my arms. Our position hit her like a splash of cold water.

"Morning."

"Morning."

Tension filled the air as we stood on opposite sides, avoiding eye contact.

"I better get back to my room."

"Sure." she said, her cheeks flushed.I grabbed my jacket and rushed for the door, but she stopped me by calling my name."Thank you for saving me."

I nodded in response, attempting to remain calm.

"No problem."

Outside the door, I collided with Maya, who was about to knock. Her eyes widened, leaving me to ponder her thoughts.

"Good morning, Hudson."

She winked at me with a mischievous glint before slipping past me into Luna's room. I wandered down the hallway, lost in thought until I bumped into Chambers. His imposing figure filled the space. My eyes narrowed as they met his.

"You knew she was afraid of water, and you went along with Cynthia's plan, didn't you?"

He stepped forward to intimidate me, but I held my ground.

"What are you going to do about it?" He asked. "Are you going to hit me again?"

He raised an eyebrow, waiting for me to strike. For a moment, my hand shook, wanting to punch him, but I shook my head.

"No," I said. "I'm not."

I brushed past him, bumping my shoulder against his, before disappearing into my room. I was proud of myself for not retaliating because I knew Luna wouldn't want me to.

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