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*

I opened my eyes to the glow of the sun streaming past the windows.

With a satisfied smile on my lips, I reached up to stroke the line of Nico's jaw with my finger and stepped out of his hold. I headed towards the bathroom, looked at the mirror, and took a deep breath.

My cheeks were tainted pink, my hair flowed down my shoulders in messy, dark waves, and the eyes that stared back at me were a vibrant brown—the color of umber with flecks of mocha.

I looked happy.

I washed my face and brushed my teeth before walking back inside the room, where Nico now lay on his stomach with his arm outstretched. I climbed back to the bed on all fours, admiring the ridge of the muscles on his bare back as he breathed slowly. Leaning down, I softly kissed the nape of Nico's neck—his body suddenly tensing as I did so—then continued to plant my lips down his back up until the base of his spine.

Nico hummed against the pillow. "I could really get used to waking up like this."

Grinning, I kissed him on the cheek. "Hi."

His eyes opened. A slow smile spread across his face. "Mi alma," he mumbled, gazing sleepily at me.

I blinked. "What?"

"Nothing," he said, shutting his eyes again. "What time is it?"

"Quarter to seven," I answered sheepishly, running one of my hands through the strands of his hair. He groaned. "Sorry. I have to be at school by twelve, so I thought we could grab breakfast and I don't know, do something. Unless you want to go back to sleep...?"

Nico's eyes opened again. He flipped on his back, squinting against the light. "Are you asking me out?"

"I mean," I said, clearing my throat, "maybe?"

He laughed and stretched. "We can go get breakfast at Java Jones. Then I have an idea of what we can do after."

"What did you say earlier?" I asked, furrowing my brows. "In Spanish. I want to know."

Nico sat up and gave me a cheeky wink. "I'll tell you later."

I wrinkled my nose. "Mean. I can just search it, you know."

He stood up and disappeared inside the bathroom. "That's cheating. I'll be mad if you cheat. And don't call me mean, you find my Spanish hot."

"S-shut up!"

*

"Faster, baby, come on."

"Shut up," I snapped, quickening my pace, "you don't get to say anything. I'm mad. I'm not an athlete."

"Health is important," Nico said with a laugh, turning to face me while continuing his jog. I rolled my eyes. "This is good for us, you know? I haven't had a run in a while, and it's motivation for the both of us to do it together."

My legs were starting to burn. "Not feeling very motivated right now," I croaked. After our light breakfast, Nico had decided to take me back to my place to change into sportswear to go out for a run. A run. "Let me remind you what a date is. It's supposed to be something we both enjoy doing."

"You're doing great," he assured me, slowing down enough to match my pace and reaching over to squeeze my behind quickly. I shot him a look. "I have no idea how the fuck you look like that when you don't even exercise."

"Look like a dehydrated, dying animal?"

Nico scoffed. "Please, princess. You're in a sports bra and leggings. You know you have an amazing body."

I wheezed. "Then can I stop now?"

"No."

I pushed him with an annoyed grunt. Nico didn't even move. "You're the worst."

"Only five more laps, princess."

And five laps later I was about to die.

I put my hands on my knees. "Can I...lie down?"

"No," Nico said immediately, taking my arms. "Your heart rate will drop. You can pass out. We have to walk for a bit to cool down."

"Fucking—I hate you," I gasped out, letting him pull me along the track. "Can we...eat after this?"

He laughed. "We'll eat, but nothing too heavy. You actually did pretty amazing."

"I was...slow, wasn't I? You were holding back."

"It's okay," he said, interlacing our fingers together. "I'm really happy you did this with me, mi alma."

I pushed back the strands that fell from my bun away from my forehead and exhaled deeply. "Do I get to know what it means now?"

Nico stopped walking and looked at me. The corner of his mouth curved upwards. "It means 'my soul'."

"Oh," I breathed.

"It's, uh, kind of heavy. The term. In our language." He cleared his throat. "Yeah."

"Mi alma," I said, trying it out. "Did I say it right?"

He leaned over to kiss me. "Yeah. You did."

*

"Move that a little to the right," Sutton said, pointing to the screen. Killian did as asked. "Yeah, perfect. Can you stay behind after the meeting? Let's go over the rest later."

"Sure," Killian agreed easily, minimizing the window of our website. "What's the agenda?"

The editor-in-chief sat on the edge of the oval table. "It completely slipped my mind that Senior Week starts tomorrow, so we're going to have to cover that. We also haven't decided on the topics for our feature articles, so feel free to raise your hand for suggestions in a bit. Otherwise, we're done. You guys can meet next year's staff—they're coming in a while."

We gathered around for the discussion of ideas. When Sutton and the majority of the staff members had finally decided on the topics to be used—an interview with the speaker for our graduation and the poetry wall in the third floor bathroom, Tara clapped her hands enthusiastically. "I can't believe this year's about to end. I'm so excited for Senior Week!"

Ben and Ezra agreed with her, and the rest of the seniors also launched into a conversation about the beach and the campsite. Sutton nudged me with her elbow when she noticed I was quiet. "What's got you thinking so hard?"

I shook my head and smiled. "I'm really going to miss this staff room. And the staff, obviously. And writing the paper."

"I'm sure you can join another paper next year," she said, wagging her eyebrows as she closed her laptop. "Do you already know where you're going?"

"Oxbridge, maybe. It's in a completely different state, but all Sumac Leagues are, right? What about you?"

Knowing that Sutton had a lot of choices due to her flawless grades, I selfishly hoped she'd at least consider Oxbridge, too. She'd grown to be my closest friend, and it would be nice to have her with me in a new chapter.

She shrugged. "Still got the rest of the year and summer to think about that. Right now, I want to know if you and Paula are okay with being my roommates at the beach house tomorrow. Mr. Finch, the chaperone, assigned me to take care of all the necessary arrangements."

I grinned. "Perks of being student council president?"

She grinned back. "Maybe. What do you say?"

It would be the best opportunity to keep an eye on Paula. "I say that's perfect. I'll text Paula and ask her as well."

"Great!" she chirped, hopping off the table. "Let me know as soon as possible."

As soon as I was able to meet the new members of the staff next year, I decided to leave, wanting to just crash after a tiring day. My legs still hurt, but I remembered Nico was having lunch with his family, and Theo was out with his friends.

Walking through the parking lot, I sent Nico a text. going home. taking the bus.

His reply was instant. wait for me. I'll pick you up.

Don't leave. you're with your family.

Ma will smack me if I don't pick you up anyway.

I cracked a smile. don't tell her. Stay with them. I'll be back home in no time.

A minute passed, and I knew he was seriously thinking about leaving. I frowned and typed another message. I'll be the one smacking you if you show up here.

...fine. Be safe, my love :)

Such a romantic. :)

Text me when you're home. I'll come by later to help you pack.

Just to pack?

...and to make out with you and probably cuddle. :)

With a smile, I kept my phone inside my pocket as I walked along the busy street, keeping my eyes trained on the cement below my feet. I'd taken less than twenty more steps when there was a tap on my arm that startled me so much I jumped and twisted around.

"Sorry," Faust said, wincing. "Did I scare you?"

"A little," I admitted, eyes wide as I held a hand to my chest. "Hey. What's up?"

His lips curled into a smile as he stuffed his hands inside his pockets. "I was just coming from a meeting with Coach when I saw you. You want a ride home?"

It was safer and more convenient than taking the bus. "If that's okay with you."

"I'm offering, Thea, of course it's okay," Faust said with a laugh, turning back around. He waited for me to fall into step with him. "Where's Nico?"

I kicked a pebble. "Lunch with his family. Why didn't Theo come to the meeting with you?"

"He made up a bullshit excuse," he answered, glancing at me. "It is a Saturday today. You're going to Senior Week, right?"

I nodded. "And you too?"

Faust's eyes glimmered brightly. It was the first time I'd seen him excited in so long. "Yeah. I'm looking forward to it."

And then there was a comfortable silence that settled between us as we walked across the parking lot. Faust opened the passenger door for me, and I shot him a grateful smile before jumping inside his truck.

It still smelled the same. The memory of sitting here seemed so long ago. "How are you feeling? After last night."

The question didn't seem to surprise him. Faust exhaled heavily as he inserted the key into the ignition. "I felt like shit. Still do. I...didn't take the news too well. Nico and JJ were upset too, obviously."

"Obviously," I echoed quietly, looking out the window. "Faust, can I be honest with you?"

He nodded, backing up the vehicle from its parking space. "Of course, Thea."

"I'm worried."

Faust didn't miss a beat before answering, "I am, too. I'm actually terrified. Funny, right?"

"No," I said, shaking my head. "I understand what you're feeling."

"I just...I need this. Anya needs this. I won't ever be able to rest without finding out the truth."

I looked at Faust. Stared at the side of his head. "You love her, don't you?"

The basketball star let out a boisterous laugh. His shoulders shook. "Yeah. Yeah, I do, Thea." He glanced at me, amusement written all over his face as he joked, "Don't tell me that bothers you."

"Shut up," I said, rolling my eyes. "Of course not. Like I said before, I'm...glad. And thankful."

His grin faltered a bit. "Thea. Do me a favor, will you?"

I blinked at him.

Faust took a left. His voice remained clear, and loud, and clear and loud, when he said, "Nico loves you. A lot."

"I know," I whispered.

He shook his head. "I don't think you understand how much, Thea. When he...when he confessed to me about his feelings, it was...it was way more than what I knew I felt for you. Everything he said was overwhelming, and at that time, I only really wanted to punch his face." Faust laughed again. "Because I knew that he was right for you. He is right for you."

"Faust," I murmured.

"I don't care anymore, obviously," he said, grinning. "But I just wanted to ask you to take care of him. Don't break his heart."

"I don't plan to," I said immediately. "I'm going to break his legs if he ever makes me run again on a date, though."

Faust chuckled. "I'll help you."

"Then it's settled. Hey, Faust."

"Yeah?"

"I'm really glad I met you. I'm happy we're friends."

He turned his head and smiled at me. His eyes were so blue. "I'm happy, too."