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Dedicated to @annaboo168

This is a serious author's note.

So usually when I fail to update for so long, it's almost always because of writer's block. And I'm finding it extremely difficult to get past this chapter and I finally know why.

The Homecoming game scene! I know nothing about football guys. In fact, I hate it. I'd planned to write out the scene of Jaden supporting Kris with his friends, but I'm stuck.

I'm sorry if this makes me seem like a quitter. For that reason though, I'll be skipping over the game scene so that I can continue on with my LIFE SIS. *cries* I may come back to add the football scene to this chapter, but you guys deserve an update.

Yes, so please understand. I'll power through this chapter but the next ones should come easy because shit is about to get very real. Thank you!

Also, I may be breaking this book up into two parts :)

~Corbyn~

"Sing for me."

I scoffed playfully at Nico's request as I strolled down the aisle of the large, dimly lit theater room.

"You do realize there's an important game happening at this moment. It's Homecoming, Nico; I need to be out there." I finally approached him where he was, sitting on the edge of the stage while swinging his legs alternately. "Besides, I sang the anthem."

"Fuck the anthem," he spat with a smirk before pointing at the microphone resting on a stand in the center of the stage. "I know you can't resist. So which will it be? Barbara? Whitney? Lin-Manuel Miranda?"

I couldn't help the smile that spread across my face, rolling my eyes to the ceiling. But the room was so vast, it seemed there was no roof at all. "You know my idols."

"Of course I do." He pulled out his phone suddenly and took a quick picture of me.

"Hey!" I protested with wide, surprised eyes.

"It'll last longer!" He explained, making me laugh. "I'm serious. You don't smile like that often enough. You're so beautiful."

I averted my eyes. "Stop," I pleaded, feeling an uncomfortable blush. I just wanted to hide. I was Corbyn Starr; I didn't blush. I walked over to sit next to him with a sigh.

"Okay, so that note I found in my locker was just you trying to ask me to sing?"

"Kind of. I wish your dad knew how talented you are, you know. Ever since you told me about wanting him to come to the play because he doubts you..."

"You don't need to worry about him, Nico. He won't be underestimating me any longer, trust me."

"What makes you say that?"

I just smiled, reaching out to stroke his cheek with my thumb. "Forget him. No need to waste our time with that." I let him go as he faced me curiously.

"So are you throwing any iconic parties this month? I'd like to be invited this time if you are."

"No, I'm not." I smiled, blinking softly. "I just... I might try to keep my head just a tad bit lower for the rest of the year."

"You? Low profile?" He snickered in disbelief.

"I'm serious! I'm tired, Nico. Of everything, everyone. Except you, obviously."

He interlocked our fingers, resting our hands on his lap. I laid my head against his shoulder. "I wanna go to your house," I quietly wished.

"It's not much of a house, are you sure?" He chuckled.

"I like it though. It's just us since, apparently, your parents don't exist. I admit, I was expecting a shrine dedicated to your devil-father."

"The shrine is within, my dear."

I lifted my head to smirk at him. "I'm supposed to dance with my team after second quarter. I much rather be unprofessional, ditch this place, and leave them scrambling in humiliation. That would certainly be one for the gram."

He stared at me then nodded. "You're unapologetically fiendish. You couldn't be any more perfect. Alright, we can ditch. I need a smoke anyway."

"You should be taking care of your lungs," I protested as he hopped down from the stage, dragging me with him.

"They're going to hell with me; what does it matter?" He teased, wrapping an arm around my waist as we exited the auditorium.

🎻🎻🎻

"I want the tea," I blurted once we were in my car, on our way to the trailer park. Nico gazed at me from the passenger's seat.

"On what exactly?"

"You."

He sighed. "This again."

"Yes, this again." I quickly glanced at him before focusing on the road. "I've started to appreciate your whole... mysterious vibe but I want to know the boy I'm dating."

"Oh? We're dating." His voice was light and playful. "This is intriguing news."

I rolled my eyes. "You know what I meant. Look, you don't have to go in depth. Clearly, I don't share much about myself so I get it. But at some point, we have to let each other in little by little. Or do you disagree?"

"I disagree."

The lightness in his voice was gone, as was his laughter. I shook my head. "I can't believe I'm the one trying to get something out of you. I thought you'd be prying secrets from me."

"Corbyn, you don't handle other people's secrets so well," he reminded accusingly. It stung, of course, but I could see why he'd think that.

"I did what I did with the intention of bringing Jaden down, which was shitty but that's the truth. I'd never do something like that to you."

"Yeah, maybe not now. Who's to say you won't hate me a month from now, and use my own experiences against me?"

I shook my head, silent until we stopped at a red light. Then, I looked at him sincerely. "I would never. You know that. Nico, I'm not asking to learn the most twisted past events of your life. Those are yours to guard and take to your grave if you choose." I shrugged. "Just... something special. Something I could tease you about, something so innocent that nobody would ever guess it. You know?"

The light turned green and I placed my hand back on the wheel, taking a left turn. Our drive was quiet, save the music softly playing in my car. It wasn't until I inched closer and closer to his home that he finally responded.

"I stopped bedwetting at 13."

I blinked, staring out the windshield before biting my lip to stifle a laugh. "Thirteen?" I couldn't keep my laughter in after that.

"I blame it on the nightmares, okay?"

"Yeah, sure. Mhm." I nodded, still giggling.

"No seriously! Life was a mess for me."

"I was eight," I admitted with the faintest smile as I shrugged. "Not too bad for a child. I got into so much trouble when I was young."

"Got into trouble or caused it, knowing you."

"It may come as a shock to you, but I tried to be on my best behavior. I oftentimes poked fun at the maids and our household staff, but what choice did a lonely kid have?"

"Why were you so lonely? You had your sister for one. You two get along a little too well, don't you?"

I approached his small trailer and parked outside of it.

"I can't explain it, Nico. I guess it's just a story for another day." I opened my car door and climbed out. He followed my lead and we walked up the steps to his door.

The neighboring trailers were lit up with some music playing loudly from one of them, giving an air of liveliness to the area. I'd never seen it this way, which was surprising to me.

Just as Nico fished for his keys in his pocket, someone called out his name from a short distance. We both turned to see the tall, stocky silhouette of a man drawing closer to us, holding what looked like a six pack of beer. I noticed them dim orange light of a cigarette that was stuck between his lips as he closed in.

I recognized his face the instant he stepped into the lights.

"Yo, Jett!" Nico laughed in excitement, hopping down the steps to give the man a very masculine handshake. He nodded at the drinks. "That for me?"

"Wanted to have a little drink with ya. I see you got company." Jett locked eyes with me and I averted my gaze, folding my arms with my jaw clenched.

"Oh. Yeah, Corbyn this is my man Jett. I think I mentioned him once--"

"Yes, but you failed to indicate the extent of your bro-ship," I lightly scoffed, shocking Nico with my contempt.

"He can be a little uptight," Nico whispered with a smile.

Jett smirked in agreement. "Must get it from his father. All he needs is a drink."

I stared at him with an indescribable, near appalled feeling before swallowing my next words or else I'd have regretted them. "Nico, the keys." I said with a firm tone. He reached into his pockets and handed them to me. I practically snatched them and hurriedly unlocked the door, shoving it open so I could dash inside.

I should've stayed at school. I should've been dancing with the team and pretending to be okay. I didn't think I could handle this.

🎗🎗🎗🎗🎗

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