BOOK ONE || the city lights series
Adina Ricci is the daughter of two of the most famous people on the planet. She grew up in the spotlight and she never once felt ungrateful for what she had been given. But, right before her fourteenth birthday, he...
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I LAY IN BED, staring at the ceiling as the morning sun comes through the little gaps in the curtains, leaving little drops of light that float around the otherwise dark room.
I feel Adina wriggle her head into my neck as I trace random shapes and words onto her arm. Her warm hands tug me closer as she continues to lightly snore into my neck, creating a little shiver that runs up my spine.
I've been awake for around two hours, just thinking.
How can Adina so easily let me into her life when she has suffered more than anyone I have ever met? But I, someone who has never lost anyone, found it so hard to even talk to her.
She seems so happy and carefree. It's hard to imagine that she went through what she did.
I've known Nick for years and I think there has always been a little voice in the back of my head, telling me that something wasn't quite right.
Even though I wouldn't spend that much time with him, I could tell something was off. And I have to admit that I'm surprised that he even came to the party last night.
Usually, he just skips out on Cas and Tea's birthday, even though they invite him every year.
I look down at Adina, brushing her hair out of her face so I can get a better view.
She's wearing one of my t-shirts, and even though she's quite tall, the shirt still engulfs her.
As I lightly graze my finger over the ink on her finger, angel wings, she moves under my touch. Her eyes flutter before she gets comfortable once more, her nose brushing my cheek as she places her outside hand on my bare chest. Anger boils through me.
That fucking prick came to her, in a time of grief, and made her believe that she deserved what he did to her. Made her think that he was 'sorry', but he wasn't. If he was, he would've left her. But he didn't, she had to leave him.
And I'm thankful that she had her friends during that time. I don't even want to think of what might have happened if she had been going through that alone. Like me.
I lean forward, pressing my lips to her forehead and then her cheeks, the corner of her lips, her jaw. Slowly coaxing her awake.
"Stop." She groans, and my smile widens at her scrunched-up nose.
"Good morning." I sing, to which she throws her head back in anguish.
"It is not a good morning. I. Want. To. Sleep." I chuckle as she turns so her back is facing me.
I move closer, wrapping my arm around her waist so now I'm spooning her. She puts her hand on the arm that's around her waist, bringing me closer so her back is right against my chest.
