Zoe's POV
The sun had set, casting a soft, golden glow on the dimly lit room, which felt completely silent in Madison's absence. She was truly great company, and I had managed to steer the conversation away from all the talk about Brandon and Seth.
Instead, she shifted the focus to herself and shared some of her challenges at school. She has a crush on a guy named Pete, but he turned out to be an awful creep. He was a bully and, worst of all, really dumb.
We both laughed so hard when she made fun of his accent. However, our joyful conversation was cut short when Margaret came in search of her. It was time for homework.
She trailed behind Madison, who was mimicking Pete's funny steps, aiming to make me laugh. How could I not? Madison was so cool. I've warmed up to her, and I wish I had done that sooner. Mrs. Ross placed a gentle peck on my cheek as they both left, and I closed the door behind them.
I leaned back in my chair, staring at the booklet on my desk. I was trying to think of something inspiring to write, but the thought of Brandon kept creeping into my mind. I remembered how he looked at me when our eyes met through my window. I had been confused about whether he had noticed me watching him, but now it was clear—he had seen me looking.
Oh God, I gasped, a wave of embarrassment washing over me! My hands clenched into tight fists as I replayed the moment in my mind. Perhaps social media would be the perfect distraction. I jumped up hastily, grabbed my phone, and swiped it open. Immediately, I punched in my password eager to escape my swirling thoughts.
Socializing has never been one of my strengths, but I wasn't as bad at social media. I scrolled through my social apps and deliberately tapped on Instagram, watching some trending reels would help distract me I thought. Maybe the extraneous thoughts that occupied my mind would vanish. However, I was mistaken.
My eyes stayed glued to the screen, scrolling with surgical precision. I remembered Ashley had said something about some guy giving Chloe a shout-out. What was his name again? I groaned in frustration, punching my forehead steadily with my finger, like it would jog my memory.
Then it hit me
"Bob! Yes, Someone named Bob Makavelli.
I quickly tapped on the search bar and typed in the name. But I clicked on the first one with a blue checkmark and hit follow.
He was clearly a big deal.
A middle-aged man— probably in his forties—with millions of followers. In one of his photos, he looked like something straight out of Vogue magazine. Every detail screamed fashion royalty. Poised with practiced ease. Hair curled to perfection, Sharp, flattering eyes full of mischief, nose pointed, lips tinted. I still can't believe such a person made a shout-out to Chloe.
I drifted off, watching a few reels, and just after two dance videos. A pop-up appeared with friend suggestions. One profile caught my eye. A girl who looked oddly familiar, I clicked on it. Curiosity welled up in my eyes. To my surprise, it was Casey. I wasn't exactly thrilled to see her, but for some reason, I couldn't help myself from sneakpeeking at her page. I kept watching one video after another, scoffing with every scroll. She seemed slick and cool, but she was nothing compared to Chloe.
Then I saw it—the game changer. It was a selfie video of Casey with Brandon. My heart skipped a beat; he looked incredibly handsome—so hot. Casey was all over that adorable face of his.
Curiosity shot through me, and I couldn't deny how disturbed the video made me. I wasn't ready to deal with those feelings, so I quickly turned off my phone to snap myself out of it.
It's not like me to care about people like Brandon. I know guys like him; they are nothing but a recipe for heartbreak. They hardly notice people like me and I don't even stand a chance.
I had already experienced a full day of Brandon drama, and I needed some fresh air. My head was starting to hurt, so I thought I could clear my mind by staring out the window.
I had always admired the Rosses' home. Though Lakeside was a small town, it possessed a quiet kind of wealth, and its house stood out as one of the finest. Nestled among tall, elegant trees that framed the property like a natural boulevard, the house was surrounded by white roses in full bloom—soft, fragrant, and timeless. Birds often perched on the branches, their gentle chirping carried by the evening breeze that slipped through the leaves. My room was upstairs, perfectly positioned to see it all—a front-row view of serenity, beauty, and everything that happened just beyond the window
Looking out of my window was one of the few enjoyable things about my new life. It was the place where my thoughts and nature met, and today was no different.
I pushed my curtains open and looked out the window, only to see him—Brandon– he was there—shirtless, climbing out of the swimming pool just outside the building. He didn't notice me. He had an embodiment of perfection. I found myself staring even longer; it was too much for me to resist.
A tingling sensation coursed through me, and I was practically drooling. His bare chest left me wanting more. My mind swirled with naughty thoughts. The urge to keep staring outweighed my desire to look away and avoid being caught. God, how do I stop?
Before I could say Jack, his eyes met mine
Fear crept over me, unwilling. I felt his judgment all over the way from where I stood through his brazen, stern look.
He stared at me with complete disdain. I threw my eyes away instantly, and my grip on the curtain tightened.
I just stood there. Drenched with embarrassment. I wish I hadn't met his gaze. But too late, he already thinks I'm a creep. Many thoughts crowded my mind. A million "what ifs" racing through my head like a chaotic storm Oh God! There was no coming back from this.