CALISTA POV

Seeing Myles yesterday in dad's car was my toughest disbelief since last year when Chloe was pronounced dead after the medic arrived at the accident scene. Although yesterday wasn't a tragedy, it was something I had thought of as a tale when I dreamed at night or stared through the window in an active class. Still, my heart thudded in my chest, mentally agreeing I was possibly going insane rather than truly breathing the same air as Myles was.

Admittedly, I know the requirements of his career, so traveling nationwide is inevitable, but what became absolutely confusing for me was the fact that he was in my hometown where it takes two hours drive to the chosen Arenas for the scheduled games. Why would Myles agree to stay with us knowing full well the team takes responsibility for the players' accommodation?

Last night I tortured myself. I couldn't sleep at the thought that he was just a room below mine. I used to sneak out of a condo to meet with him, but now I can't get myself to look at him without feeling guilt and regret. I knew the self-afflicted punishment could end if I just trickled down the stairs and knocked on his door. But does he want me to? Was he here for me as my head was misleading me or was he just here with Brayden? Which doesn't even make sense given the perceptible tension between them since yesterday.

This morning, at the earlier hours, I had contemplated going down to the kitchen. Maybe I could come across him then, but I was concerned he would think of me as desperate. I then had trouble with my conscious deciding if I was ready to be alone with him.

Until I couldn't help it and waited for him in the stillness of our small entryway to return from the morning exercise. In that quiet, I realized I missed him more than words could make sense, more than the atmosphere between us could speak.

When I opened the door and met his adoring face that I so badly wanted to trace with my fingers, I felt at ease. It was then I knew he was it for me. We had to find a way. So, when he closed the distance between us and stood in front of me, I suddenly craved an explanation because I had been left in the mud for months. I squirmed away impulsively as he was too near-we might as well breathe the same air.

The conversation was trivial, I kept my thoughts in control and turned down the offer of going to his game. We both weren't ready for that stage. God knows, Brayden wouldn't want me there too. I was done causing drama.

That day went by while I tried not to dwell on the summer I was once happy. Instead, I helped mom in the kitchen, did some laundry, and took Beth, the dog, for a walk, where I found people being more unduly nice to me than I'd ever received, even while mourning my best friend.

When it was five in the evening, the starting time for my brother's team game, mom had called me to watch with her in the living room, but I waved it off and claimed I would rather take a nap in my room. Which was a great lie, given I streamed the entire game as soon as I was alone. My steady gaze remained on him until the last second.

~

The game wasn't over until it was dark. I had concluded in my mind that any reasonable person wouldn't drive two hours at this time, particularly two famous athletes that the industry would make sure of their safety. So I slept off after dinner with the tiredness of last night and didn't expect their return.

The next morning when I woke up, I showered and even wore a light layer of makeup after recalling the smile on Myles's face when he saw me yesterday by the door. But all my exhilaration vanished when I ascended the stairs and met only three people at the dining table.

"Where's Myles?" I couldn't help but asked, as my heart was beginning to cower from fear.

"He said he would be staying with the woman he claimed to be his mother." Brayden shrugged.

Okay, now I can panic.

"But his things are all here..." My voice was a perplexed, sore whisper.

"Well, no one said he couldn't come back. He made his choice."

He has to know something, he might as well have something to do with the cause. He can't be exceptionally content, arranging napkins like it's the greatest thing since sliced bread.

I stormed over to him, knowing he hadn't been happy with the idea of Myles staying with us and what he was capable of doing to put a reasonable distance between us.

"What did you do to him?"

"I don't know what you mean." He maintained a neutral tone and kept his focus on the napkin.

I yanked it away and tossed it on the floor. Getting his attention at that point.

"Look me in the eye and tell me you've laid down the infamous responsive behavior of yours once again."

He was abruptly on his feet, a wide scorching gaze shooting bullets at me.

"I can't believe you hate me for protecting your dignity as every brother would."

"Brothers will not end their sisters' happiness." I fired back in his face.

"You thought of that sickness as happiness?" Brayden distastefully scoffed. "It disgusts me."

Who does he think he is to judge and disregard my set of circumstances? I can't believe this.

"You are an asshole," I screamed when I felt tears fill my eyes. Then dad had to ask, "We need to know what happened last year in Los Angeles now."

It was a demand, one I couldn't handle at that moment.

"What happened, Brayden?" He insisted, sternly this time.

I need air or I could faint.

"Come back here," Dad called after me when I turned to the front door.

Even if I could respire in the thick air, I wasn't ready to talk about last year. So I didn't listen to dad. I jerked the doorknob open but who I found at the foot of the door numbed my anger. I became violet, soft, and tender yet clueless.

"Cali."

Déjà vu.

"I thought..." I gasped, baffled and blinking at the man in front of me.

"I can't stay away from you." He said at once, like a confession. His chest was rising and falling.

Okay. Breathe, Cali.

"My feelings for you have not changed. It wouldn't waver. I am now certain, I will only be punished as long as I am away from you. Last night I told myself I would make an effort to let you go. I tried, Cali, I really did. But I couldn't even blink an eye, I couldn't sleep. You were all I thought about. You are my peace of mind. I don't know about you, but you've been on my mind, my head, and in my soul. Since you left California, I've been deprived of comfort, harmony, and contentment. And there hasn't been a night that I didn't see you in my dream."

All I had thought as he articulated those unreal words was had I opened a door to a different world?

"I will tell you everything... I just need you not to give up on us because I haven't. Seeing you again, I can't take another heart-aching day knowing I could have fought for you."

My jaw was on the floor, I was blinking at him, my breathing erratic.

"Calista, where are..." Mom stopped. And from the look on Myles's face, mom was directly behind me. "You're here." She exhaled.

He smiled warmly at her, his expression changing from emotionally desperate and pleadingly to courteous at the sight of my mother.

"I had some business my mom thought was urgent. I am sorry I didn't return after the game." He lied. I could tell by his composure.

"You hear that Cali, and there you are wondering where he was." Mom giggled, bringing her arms around my shoulders. "Just accept you still have a crush on him and we can tell him," Mom whispered when she leaned over my ear.

My face blushed. My eyes widened. I shrugged her off while she chewed back a smile.

"Please come in." I ignored her embarrassing remark and invited Myles in instead. He took off his shoes and replaced them with those provided for the indoors.

In the living room, from where you can see my dad and brother having a serious conversation, mom called their attention.

"It is a good thing we haven't had breakfast yet. You must be hungry." She said to Myles next to her and led us to the dining area, which was suddenly awkward.

"I think we need to talk first," Dad spoke earnestly, and my stomach churned. My eyes searched for Myles's face, it was like this was the most uncomfortable spot he had ever been in. He looked miserable.

So when the doorbell rang, I was grateful for it. I followed mom in the direction as it had interrupted whatever conversation we were about to have, and as mom opened the door, I thought, could it get any worse?

For the first time, Scarlett Maverick and her three girlfriends stepped into my house, or more precisely, barged in uninvited.

"I heard Myles Cameron is here too." She smirked at me and smiled at my confused mother before they helped themselves in without taking off their shoes.

"You invited them?" Mom was puzzled, she shook her head at me while they bossed down the hall.

"No." I paled.

Yes, I literally lost my color. Those girls are the same group of people who bullied me before the very eyes of Myles, and also the same girls who read my diary.

That smirk Scarlett gave me wasn't just her usual condescending smirk. I saw it in her eyes, she came along with hell.

She was here on a mission.