Holly's POV
I push open the door to our apartment. It's quiet — too quiet. Mom and Dad aren't home yet. I toss my bag on the couch, climb the stairs, and head straight to my room. The whole day replays in my mind like a movie I didn't want to end.
I strip out of my dress and slip into a soft yellow body-hugging dress that stops just above my knees. The mirror catches my reflection — tired eyes, but a faint smile still lingers. My stomach growls, reminding me that my last meal was at lunch.
Down in the kitchen, I scan the shelves. So many options, but my brain only screams noodles. Classic me. I grab the pack and start cooking. The smell fills the kitchen, warm and familiar, when my phone buzzes in my hand.
Bella.
I almost forgot we exchanged contacts after school. I swipe to answer.
"Hey, baby girl!" she screams so loud I almost drop the phone. Her voice is always full of sunshine — the kind that could melt stress like ice.
"Hey yourself," I say, grinning.
She giggles. I can already tell she's smiling on the other side.
"What's that grin about?" I tease.
"Oh, don't act innocent! You know exactly what I'm calling for."
"I don't—"
"Oh, please! Spill. Tell me what's the catch?"I chipped in and still confused until she blurts, "You and Mr. Deaf-Dumb-Handsome-Guy!"
I laugh, realizing she means Xander.
"Wait, what?"
"Girl, you're the first person he's ever spoken to at school! Do you know how many girls would die just for a nod from him?"
"Really?" I ask, genuinely surprised.
" Yes of course he's handsome "
"Mm-hmm. So you do admit he's the most handsome guy in the school."I said chuckle softly.
"Maybe. I mean… he is easy on the eyes."
Bella squeals, and I can't help but laugh again. For a moment, my noodles almost burn. We talk for another thirty minutes — about school, about life, about everything and a lot more — until she finally says she has to go.
I hang up and rest my chin on my palm. My mind drifts back to Xander
Alexander's POV
By the time I park my car in the lot, exhaustion is crawling all over me. My stomach growls , but there's no way I'm cooking tonight. I drop my keys on the counter, order a pizza, and collapse onto my bed, eyes locked on the ceiling.
I can still see her — Holly — smiling at me before she disappeared into her building. She didn't see me watching, but I did. The thought of picking her up tomorrow slips into my head, and before I know it I consider it
My phone buzzes, breaking the calm. Unknown number.
For a second, I think it's Mom. She's been trying to reach me for days, but I've been ghosting her — ghosting them. But just to be sure, I ask Alpha to trace the number. It's not her. It's David.
My heart tightens. I swipe to answer before the call ends.
"Hey, buddy," his voice comes through — soft, familiar, comforting.
"Hi, David." My voice cracks.
"You don't sound so cold this time," he jokes. I can almost see his goofy grin.
I laugh quietly, but silence soon creeps in. Memories flood my mind as I remembered sneaking into his room when we were kids, his mom catching me one day lying on his bed and thinking I her son was swapped by alien . We laughed about it for weeks. His family became mine when mine wasn't.
Then his voice breaks the silence again. "Alex… your parents came by. They couldn't reach you. They looked… worried, man."
My chest sinks.
"Oh, God." I mutter under my breath.
And right on cue, I hear his mom passing the phone to them.
"Xander, please, honey. We're worried. Just come home. We can fix this." Mom's voice cracks with sincerity.
Then Dad's voice, firm yet tired, "Son, we love you. Don't do this to us."
I close my eyes, silent. They've been fighting forever even over simple things lime my name.
Dad insists, "Alex sounds stronger."
Mom would snap, "Xander sounds cherished!"
And I will just be there, rolling my eyes, whispering, "It's Alexander, people."
When they finally stop talking persuading me to come back , I hang up. I exhale deeply and rub my temples. I can't go back. Not yet. Not until I feel whole again.
The phone rings again. Same number.
"Hey, buddy," David says softly this time, probably stepping outside to escape another parental argument.
"Hey."
"Bro, where are you?"
"I can't risk them finding out, man. I just need space."
He sighs, then his tone changes — firm, determined. "You're not doing this alone, Alex. If you think I'm letting you vanish, think again. I'll find you."
I laugh weakly. "You'd leave your whole life for me?"
"There is no life here without you, bro," he says. "At least let me call often. No more shutting me out."
I smile for the first time in hours. "Deal. You always find a way in, don't you?"
"Always."
We talk a bit longer, then he hangs up.
Holly's POV
Dinner's done, dishes are in the sink, and I'm lying on my bed replaying Bella's teasing. Then it hits me — I never called Xander like I promised.
I rush downstairs, grab my phone, and dial his number before I can overthink it.
Alexander's POV
The pizza finally arrives. I open the door, pay, and start devouring slices like I haven't eaten in days. Halfway through my second slice, my phone rings again. Unknown number — but this time, something tells me to pick it up.
"Hello," I mumble with my mouth full.
"Hi, Xander."
The voice freezes me mid-chew. Holly.
"Oh… hey."
"You home already?" she asks.
"Yeah."
"Just wanted to check on you," she says softly, then pauses. "You're eating, aren't you?"
I chuckle. "Caught me."
"Well then, I'll let you finish. Just— that's my number. Save it, okay?"
"I will."
"See you tomorrow."
And then the line clicks
🕕 Next Morning
Alexander's POV
I wake before sunrise. The apartment smells of coffee and toasted bread. I cook breakfast — enough for lunch, too. No more starving myself after school. I owe that skill to David's mom; she taught me all her recipes even her son never learned how cook
I eat, shower, dress up, and head out. The air is fresh, the world still half asleep. For the first time in a while, I feel light. And maybe, just maybe, excited.
I drive to Holly's place, park outside, and wait.
Holly's POV
"Grinnnnnn… grinnnnnn…"
My alarm buzzes like a dying mosquito. Mom's "wake-up tone."
"Ugh, Mom!" I groan, pulling the blanket over my head. But when I hear her footsteps, I peek out.
She's already dressed for work. "Oh, baby girl, I missed you," she says, hugging me tightly.
I hug her back, eyes half-closed. "You came home late again."
"I know, sweetheart. I left you some breakfast and a little cash on the dining table. And cookies — your favorite."
"What about Dad?"
"He couldn't make it home last night," she says softly.
I sigh but smile. "Okay. Love you, Mom."
"Love you more." She kisses my forehead and hurries out.
After she leaves, I shower, dress up for school, and grab the cash and cookies. I'm halfway out the door, ready to catch the bus when I see it — a familiar car parked by the curb.
Xander's car.
He's here. Waiting.
A slow smile spreads across my face.