As Nova walked into Mrs. Smith's room with her cleaning supplies, she couldn't help but notice the tense atmosphere that enveloped the room. She could hear Mrs. Smith's voice, raised and angry, as she engaged in a heated conversation with someone else. Nova slowly approached the door, trying to be as quiet as possible, but her curiosity got the best of her and she couldn't resist trying to hear what was being said.
"Adam, this is not up for discussion!" Mrs. Smith's voice boomed through the room.
"I just want to understand why, Mom," Adams replied, his voice tinged with frustration.
"It's because you're way ahead of her lead," Mrs. Smith responded curtly.
"I don't see that as a reason!" Adam exclaimed.
Nova's heart began to race as she listened in on the conversation. She knew it wasn't her place to be listening in, but she couldn't help herself not when it was about her.
"Adam, you need to trust me on this. I'm doing what's best for you," Mrs. Smith replied, her voice now softer.
"Mum please" Adams pleaded.
"My decision is final. I want you arms length away from her or any of the low life people" Mrs. Smith said, her voice cracking slightly.
Nova's mind raced as she tried to piece together what was going on. As a caretaker for Mrs. Smith, she had noticed that the woman had been increasingly anxious and paranoid lately, but she had never heard any details about why.
But why?
A lone tear slipped, she bit in her lower lip as she took steps back making sure her presence remains unknown.
Nova walked through the empty hallways of her high school, tears streaming down her face. Her heart was heavy with guilt and regret. She had avoided him since that night they shared a kiss, and she couldn't shake off the feeling that she had made a huge mistake.
Why didn't she prevent it? Why did she give away her first kiss to someone she barely had a chance with.
Mrs Smith is right, Adam is way out of my league I should have know better.
As she walked, her mind was racing with thoughts and questions. She needed to stay away from Adam at all cause and also erase the thoughts of ever having a chance with him.
Suddenly, she bumped into someone and looked up to see James, looking at her with concern. "Hey, Nova, why are you in tears? What's wrong?" he asked.
Nova tried to compose herself, but the tears kept flowing and she completely lost it falling into his embrace.
James listened attentively, patting her back as she cried. "Whatever is bothering you Nova, I'm here for you."
Nova looked up at him, feeling grateful for his kind words. "Thank you" she spoke, wiping away her tears.
"Anytime," James replied, giving her a smile.
They both stood there for a moment, in the empty hallway, comforting each other. Nova knew that whatever happened next, she could count on James to be there for her.
Nova stood up, wiping the tears off her cheeks as she tried to compose herself. She took a deep breath and slowly made her way back to her room, still feeling shaken from her emotional breakdown in the hallway.
As she reached the door, she saw that it was slightly ajar. Her heart started racing and she felt a sudden burst of fear – what if someone had broken in? What if someone was waiting for her inside?
Slowly and cautiously, Nova pushed the door open to find Adam sitting on her bed, with a daring look in his eyes. She froze at the sight of him, feeling a mixture of fear and anger. She had made it clear that she did not want to see him again, yet here he was, in her room, uninvited.
"What are you doing here?" Nova demanded, trying to keep her voice steady.
"You're here," Adam said, standing up from the bed and advancing towards her.
Nova took a step back, feeling trapped. She knew that she could not physically overpower him if he tried to harm her.
"Please leave," she said, trying to sound firm.
"Not until you tell me why you've been" Adam said, his voice becoming more aggressive.
Nova felt fear gripping her heart as she looked into his dark, intense eyes. She knew that she had to get out of here, fast.
"Listen, Adam," she said, trying to keep her voice level. "I need you to leave right now. I don't want to talk to you. I don't want to see you. You..." her voice trailed off as Adam suddenly lunged towards her.
Nova screamed and tried to push him away, but Adam was too strong. He pinned her against the wall, his hands tightening around her waist.
Nova felt like she was suffocating. The fear and panic coursing through her veins was overwhelming. She struggled to breathe as Adam's grip tightened, and everything started going black around her.
Just when Nova thought it was over, his hands begin to let loose. She felt his breath out on her face urging her eyes open, meeting his now soft ones.
"Fuck!" He cursed pulling back and run his hand through his hear in frustration.
She broke into sobs now frightened by his demeanor. She has never seen this side of him, it scared her to the core.
He hissed cupping her face in his palms, "Shit! Don't cry, please"
It only made her cry even harder. He groan pulling her fragile figure into his embrace running circles on her back.
Nova's eyes snapped open, and she gasped for air as Adam's grip on her loosened. She tried to pull away, but he wouldn't let her go. Instead, he leaned forward until their faces were mere inches apart.
The intensity in his gaze made Nova's stomach churn with unease. "Why did you do that, Adam?" she squeaked, her heart racing.
Adam's expression turned grave, and his eyes flashed with emotion. "I can't stand seeing you with other guys, Nova," he said in a low, rough voice. "I want you all to myself. You belong to me"
Nova recoiled, her eyes widening in shock. She had never seen this side of Adam before. "What are you talking about, Adam? I certainly do not... Just please whatever this is, it should end" she said, trying to keep her tone calm despite the pounding of her heart.
Adam shook his head, a stubborn gleam in his eye. "Nova Sanchez, you drive me crazy and I don't think I'll be able to spend a sec away from you" he declared, his voice softening as he stared at her with raw vulnerability.
Nova's mouth went dry as she looked at him, debating how to respond.
"I don't know what to say, Adam," she confessed, feeling torn between her conflicting emotions.
Adam's brow furrowed, and he took a step closer. "Let me take you out, Sunday night at 8PM" he implored her.
But Nova couldn't bring herself to say the words. She wasn't sure how she felt about Adam, and this sudden shift in their relationship was overwhelming her. All she knew was that she was afraid, and she needed to get out of there before she lost herself completely.