Zoe's P.O.V.

It's been a week since I got stuck in the elevator and called Sky's friend instead of him. I still clearly remember the hurt in his eyes that day, but it's his fault we're in this situation now.

I haven't been talking to Sky, and he's been giving me space. During class, I catch him looking at me with longing in his eyes. I know I'm hurting him, but I need time to figure out what I truly want.

How can I forget he lied to me?

"He did this because he didn't want to lose you, Zoe. You mean a lot to him," a voice inside me whispers. But then another part of me counters, "He threatened Liam and kept it a secret. How can you trust him again?"

Deep down, I feel guilty for avoiding him. He was always there for me whenever I needed someone, and I know he didn't deserve this. He hid the truth because he was afraid our friendship would be ruined, and now I'm making his fear a reality.

But what am I supposed to do? I can't forget how he acted so innocent when I told him someone had threatened Liam. I was terrified, thinking I had a stalker, and he didn't tell me the truth.

I sigh, feeling torn. My feelings for Sky are still strong, but the trust is broken. Part of me wants to forgive him, to believe his actions came from a place of fear of losing me. But another part of me is still hurt and angry, struggling to trust him again.

Every time I think about what he did, my heart aches. I miss Sky terribly. I miss our bond, our laughter, and the way things used to be between us. But how can I go back to that when everything has changed so drastically?

Liam has been texting me, asking to meet up because he likes me and doesn't care about the threatening call anymore. But I've been avoiding him too. I don't know what I truly feel anymore. My emotions are all tangled up, and I'm not ready to face any of it just yet.

As I enter the college, Liam notices me and approaches. "Hey, Zoe."

"Hey." I pass him a smile.

"I miss you, Zoe." He asks, "Would you like to go out after classes?"

"Sorry, Liam. I can't," I reply, avoiding eye contact and rushing past him.

As I head toward my classroom, someone suddenly grabs my arm in the corridor and pulls me into an empty classroom. My heart races with fear until I see Sky standing there, his eyes burning with possessiveness.

"I'm giving you time, Zoe, but that doesn't mean you can let Liam get close to you."

"Sky..." I try to interrupt, but he places a finger on my lips, silencing me.

He moves closer, his breath warm against my skin, making my heartbeat accelerate and sending shivers down my spine. "Trouble, I understand what you're going through. That's why I'm giving you time. But don't expect me to let anyone take you away from me."

He must have seen me with Liam when I entered the college. God! I can't believe he's the same Sky who used to advise me to date boys.

After composing myself, I slightly push him away because his proximity is driving me crazy. "Sky, you know how much I miss us—our friendship. Can't you see that your possessiveness has ruined everything? I don't know how to trust you again. You kept something so important hidden from me."

"I'm so sorry, Trouble, if you got hurt because of me. But I did it because I was afraid." He gently clasps my face, his eyes intense. "Afraid that if you got to know about my desire, you'd push me away. And now, it's happening anyway. It was killing me to see you with Liam, knowing he could do everything I wanted to do with you." He leans in, his forehead resting against mine as he pleads, "Zoe, please try to understand. We're perfect for each other. I promise we'll rock it as a couple. And we'll always be friends."

I close my eyes, feeling the warmth of his breath against my skin and the honesty in his voice. "I need time, Sky. And you need to prove to me you can be honest. No more secrets, no more lies."

He nods, his eyes filled with determination. "I promise, Zoe. No more secrets. I'll prove to you that you can trust me again." Moving closer to my ear, he grabs my waist and warns me, "Take all the time you need, Trouble. But don't forget that if you let Liam come close to you again, I'll lose control." His warm breath caresses my skin, sending chills down my spine, and his proximity is making my breath quicken.

What is he doing to me? I never thought my best friend would ever affect me like this.

The fire in his eyes makes it clear that his feelings go far beyond friendship. The possessiveness in his gaze, the firm grip on my waist—it's all too overwhelming.

"I need to go." My voice shakes as I remove his hands from my waist.

He looks at me with longing in his eyes as I step away from him. As I walk out of the classroom, I feel his eyes on me the entire time.

***

Sky's P.O.V.

The water feels cool against my skin as I swim in the college pool. However, neither the loud music from the party nor the calming effect of swimming is soothing my mind.

My thoughts keep drifting back to yesterday's interaction with Zoe. The way her body felt under my hands when I grabbed her waist, the way her breath hitched when I got close to her—it took every ounce of self-control not to kiss her luscious lips.

I can still feel the warmth of her waist beneath my palms. I wanted to pull her closer, to claim her lips, but I knew it wasn't the right time. She needs space to think, to decide if she can forgive me, and I have to respect that, no matter how hard it is.

Her scent, her warmth—it's all imprinted on me. I feel the burn of desire deep within, but also a pang of guilt. I've hurt her, and I need to fix it.

I continue swimming, hoping the physical exertion will drown out thoughts of her, but then I see her—Zoe.

She walks into the party area, looking like a vision in a front-tied crop top and a skirt with a long slit that exposes her milky white legs and thighs. My desire for her intensifies. She looks so damn sexy, and I can't take my eyes off her. Every inch of me wants to drag her into an empty room and kiss every inch of her body, to make her mine in every way possible.

But then I see Liam approaching her. My chest tightens with a wave of possessiveness as Liam pulls Zoe into a hug. I feel like I could kill him with my gaze alone.

How dare he touch her like that? How dare he think he can have what's mine?

I want to storm over there and rip him away from her, to show him she belongs to me. But I force myself to control my rage by clenching my fists under the water, knowing that doing so would only push Zoe further away.

Keeping my eyes locked on them, I watch every move. I can see the discomfort in Zoe's eyes, the way she pulls away slightly, and it soothes me—but only a little. I know she's trying to sort out her feelings, but it's killing me to watch her with Liam.

I swim to the edge of the pool and emerge, water dripping from my body, my eyes never leaving Zoe and Liam. I have to do something, anything, to make sure Liam stays away from her.

***

How's the part?

The story is going to get spicy from next part, excited? 😉

Love Mehak