Chapter 0303

Bridget. The girl that Julian had said he loved who Nicholas had stolen away from him.

This girl in the picture, wearing a bright smile, wedged between Julian and Nicholas, was her. A younger version than who she was now, but at least I finally had a face to place with the

name.

Even as a young teenager, she was beautiful, with a head of loose blonde curls, and a big, toothy smile. Her blue eyes were bright with life and joy. She seemed the kind of person that lightened those around her, if Nichola s’s and Julian’s easy, matching smiles were anything to go by.

Nicholas finished dressing and came closer. “The three of us were thick as thieves back then. We did everything together. Julian, ever the instigator, led us straight into trouble. Bridget followed him blindly, and I followed her.”

He laughed. “Once, he had her entirely convinced that he found a tunnel that led to the center of the earth. I was skeptical, but Bridget believed anything those days. Julian took us to a cave and we got lost, of course. We were only missing an hour, but it was long enough for our

parents to cause an uproar.

“We stumbled out of the cave and straight into a massive search party. Julian was grounded for three months. I knew he was bluffing the entire time about having found a path to the center of the earth. Bridget, though… She defended him until we all parted ways.

“What happened?” I asked. “You seemed so close. What could change?”

Nichola s’s eyes went distant a moment. “We grew up.”

I waited a moment, but he seemed to be unwilling to give more information than that. Or he was simply lost in a memory. Either way, the wall between me and his past seemed thicker than it had before, I wasn’t sure how to sneak past it.

“What happened to Bridget?” I asked.

Nicholas startled, like he had forgotten I was there. I frowned, but tried not to let it get to me. I knew what it was like to be lost to nostalgia. It wasn’t a personal slight against me.

I just wished he hadn’t been lost on a nostalgia trip thinking of another woman.

“We all went our separate paths,” Nicholas said. “I haven’t seen her in years. Well, except for in the movies… She’s a big actress now.”

I didn’t watch many movies. I’d never been willing to spend the money I didn’t have, when ! so desperately needed it for other things like food and rent.

mentioned it, I did faintly recognize her

+15 BONUS

was the one that got away. I wasn’t entirely sure yet if he was telling the full truth about what happened, but

hearts she’d broken

me, his smile soft. He was present again, returned from the nostalgia trip that had

my chest. Even if Julian had been right, and Bridget was a part of their past lives, they

me.

weren’t any pictures

still stung

go,”

then agreed.

door wasn’t far. I walked there, with Nicholas close behind

said, as I reached for the

of emotion. Maybe he was still stuck in the past, or maybe he was here with me now. I couldn’t really tell. I only knew

we would both come to regret,

were.

“Piper, I

late. If he spoke of his affection for me, I didn’t know if I would be able to hold myself

down, Nick.

to my fingertips.

of us.” I pulled my

“Piper

there, but we’ll never be able to stay together. If we talk about this thing between us… if

eyes. “It

+15 BONUS

licked my lips. I didn’t want to admit my own feelings, but if I did, maybe he

“Distance your heart…?”

me

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255