Chapter 5: Whiskey Stars and Unspoken Things

So after coming to Maple Heights, I cherish the kindness here.

Every smile, every friendly gesture means the world to me. I’m determined to make the most of this fresh start.

Even though Carter’s friends are a bit spoiled, they’re kind and fun.

They tease each other, but it’s never mean-spirited. I find myself laughing along, feeling like I finally belong somewhere.

Madison’s sidekick is the only daughter of the Lin family—spoiled since forever, but she always listens to Madison.

She follows Madison everywhere, hanging on her every word. It’s clear who’s in charge.

I don’t know why she and Madison are cold to me, but for now, I just keep my distance.

It’s easier that way—less drama, less chance of getting hurt.

But I never expected to interact with them so soon.

Fate has a funny way of throwing you into situations you’d rather avoid.

“Maddie, your dress!”

The urgency in her voice catches my attention. I glance over and see Madison clutching her stomach, her face pale.

In the corner of the party, Madison leans against a pillar, sweat beading on her forehead. She’s clearly in pain.

“It got on the dress, right?”

Her voice is weak, nothing like her usual cool self.

She tries to play it off, but I can see the embarrassment in her eyes. No one expects the queen bee to have a bad day.

“It’s fine, just give me something to cover up.”

She waves off her sidekick’s concern, but her hands are shaking. I feel a pang of sympathy, remembering my own awkward moments.

The sidekick is anxious. “Maddie, I didn’t bring a jacket. What do I do? I’ll go borrow one from Caleb or Carter!”

She’s frantic, desperate to help. I can see the panic in her eyes, and I know how helpless she feels.

She helps Madison sit down. “Your stomach hurts, right? I remember your period came early? You rest here, I’ll borrow a jacket and get you some pads.”

Her voice is gentle, reassuring. She’s trying her best, even if she doesn’t know what to do.

She’s about to leave. I hesitate, then walk over with my bag.

My heart is pounding, but I force myself to step forward. It’s the right thing to do.

“No need, I have some.”

I speak softly, holding out my bag. My hands tremble, but I manage to pull out a pad and my own jacket.

I pull a pad from my bag, my hands shaking as I take off my own jacket and hand it over.

I hope she’ll accept it, that this small gesture will be enough. I know how humiliating these moments can be.

Madison is stunned, staring at me.

For a second, she doesn’t move. Then she takes the jacket, her expression softening just a little.

Seeing my trembling hands, she smiles faintly.

It’s a small smile, but it feels like a victory. Maybe, just maybe, things will be different between us now.

My palms are sweating.

I wipe them on my jeans, hoping no one notices. The tension in my shoulders eases, just a bit.

Please, just take it—don’t turn me down. I swear, I’ll rip this jacket in half from nerves.

I hold my breath, waiting for her response. When she finally accepts, I let out a sigh of relief.

“Thanks.”

Her voice is quiet, sincere. She ties the jacket around her waist and heads to the restroom, pad in hand.

The weight in my hand disappears as Madison takes the jacket, ties it around her waist, and heads to the restroom with the pad.

I watch her go, hoping she’ll be okay. For a moment, I feel like I’ve done something right.

The sidekick gives me a sour look as she passes.

Her glare is sharp, full of resentment. I try not to take it personally, but it stings.

“Thanks, but don’t think this’ll make Maddie like you! My Maddie’s liked Carter for years and still hasn’t gotten him. Why do you think you can get him so easy? Competing with Maddie?”

Her words are harsh, meant to put me in my place. I bite my tongue, refusing to rise to the bait.

She looks me up and down, her gaze lingering on my chest, and I can feel the disdain. “Carter too—hasn’t dated anyone for years. Turns out he likes your type, not even half as stacked as Maddie.”

The insult is obvious, but I refuse to let it show. I stand a little taller, meeting her gaze head-on.

I stare at her, blank. For some reason, I feel offended.

My cheeks flush, and I clench my fists at my sides. I want to say something, but the words won’t come.

Get Carter? Compete with Madison? Carter likes my type?

The questions swirl in my head, making me dizzy. None of it makes sense.

Seriously, what even is this?

I want to laugh, to tell her she’s got it all wrong. But the words stick in my throat.

I understand every word, but together, it makes no sense to me.

I replay the conversation in my mind, trying to make sense of it. It still feels surreal.

Carter likes me?

The idea is absurd. I’m nothing like the girls he usually hangs out with.

How could Carter like me!

I shake my head, refusing to believe it. There’s no way someone like him would be interested in someone like me.

I’m so timid and indecisive—definitely not his type. No way he likes me.

The thought lingers, making it even harder to face him. I avoid his gaze, hoping he won’t notice.

This question keeps bugging me, making it impossible to look Carter in the eye.

Every time he glances my way, I look down, pretending to be busy with something else.

When we eat, he pulls out a chair for me, but I refuse to sit next to him and stick to Caleb instead.

I slide into the seat beside Caleb, grateful for the buffer. Carter’s expression darkens, but he doesn’t say anything.

Watching Caleb pass me food again and again, Carter’s face grows darker.

He glares at Caleb, his jaw clenched. I pretend not to notice, focusing on my plate.

He doesn’t say anything. He just drinks one glass after another, and the room grows awkwardly quiet.

The tension is thick, and no one seems to know what to say. I wish I could disappear.

After dinner, I run outside for some air.

The night air is cool, crisp. I take a deep breath, letting it out slowly. The stars are bright, scattered across the sky like diamonds.

Maybe it’s my imagination, but Carter’s gaze seems a little resentful.

I feel it even from across the yard, heavy and unspoken. I wonder what he’s thinking, but I’m too afraid to ask.

A cool breeze blows, refreshing me, and I let out a long breath.

I close my eyes, savoring the moment of peace. For the first time all night, I feel like I can breathe.

Tonight, the stars are especially bright. I’m about to start counting them when a slender hand reaches from behind.

I jump, startled, but before I can react, I’m lifted off my feet.

Wrapping around my waist, he easily lifts me onto the porch railing.

I gasp, grabbing onto his shoulders for balance. My heart races, but I don’t pull away.

I gasp, instinctively wrapping my arms around his neck to keep from falling.

His grip is steady, reassuring. I relax, just a little, trusting him not to let me go.

Carter holds my waist with one hand, the other braced on the railing by my leg, like he’s pulling me into his orbit.

He’s so close I can feel the heat radiating off him. The world narrows to just the two of us.

“Carter.”

My voice is soft, almost a whisper. I meet his gaze, searching for answers.

His presence fills all my senses. It’s overwhelming.

He smells like whiskey and something warm, familiar. My pulse quickens, and I can’t look away.

I lower my head a little. Carter looks at me, cool as ever, his fingers gently tracing my face.

His touch is feather-light, sending shivers down my spine. I close my eyes, savoring the sensation.

The unfamiliar touch makes me shrink back. Carter’s fingers move down, brushing lightly over my lips.

I shiver, unsure if I should pull away or lean in. The moment is charged, electric.

He smells like whiskey.

The scent lingers on his breath, intoxicating and dangerous. I wonder if he’s had too much to drink.

“Carter, are you drunk?”

My voice is barely audible, but I need to know. For a moment, time stands still, the night wrapping around us like a secret.