Snow’s Point of View;

As Nia pulled me out of the cafeteria, a weight settled on my chest.

I didn’t mean to make her leave Mason. The guilt crept in slowly, wrapping around me like a cold blanket.

Why did I always do this?

Why did I always feel like I was dragging people away from what they actually wanted to do?

Nia was quiet for a moment, then glanced at me, concern flickering in her eyes.

“Are you good?” she asked softly as we stepped into the quieter hallway.

I nodded quickly and looked away, focusing on the floor tiles.

But I wasn’t okay.

I didn’t even know what was wrong.

Why was I so moody all of a sudden?

Was it the looks I got from Mason’s friends? Or maybe the tension I constantly felt around them?

Or… maybe I just missed Kingston.

The thought surprised me.

But it was true.

I knew if Kingston were here, I wouldn’t feel like this.

His presence always seemed to calm me, like I didn’t have to second-guess myself. I wouldn’t be standing here, feeling like an outsider, if he were next to me.

Nia sighed beside me.

“Sure?” she asked again, more softly this time.

I nodded again, though it felt more forced.

“You can go back to your boyfriend,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “I’ll just head to class.”

I didn’t want to seem like I was asking for too much attention. I wasn’t trying to pull her away from Mason. Maybe I was just being sensitive.

Maybe I was judging them too much.

I knew I was.

But after hearing all the rumors about Mason and his friends, the fights, the trouble, the stories about things they’d done, it was hard not to feel wary.

And yet, wasn’t that hypocritical of me?

My family wasn’t exactly squeaky clean either.

I knew my family was involved in things, dangerous things. The mafia rumors weren’t rumors in my case. They were reality.

But it was different.

I had never seen my brothers do anything bad. Not with my own eyes.

And a part of me didn’t want to.

I knew that if I did, if I ever saw them in that light, I wouldn’t be able to look at them the same way again.

Thinking of my brothers, a sudden wave of longing washed over me.

I hardly talked to them anymore.

I hardly saw them.

That wasn’t the kind of relationship I wanted with my family.

We used to be closer—at least, I think we were trying to be after I moved back in. But now, it felt like we were all in different worlds, orbiting around each other but never really connecting.

I didn’t want it to stay that way.

I need to fix this.

Maybe we could have a family outing. Something simple. Just us.

I smiled faintly at the thought.

I’d make sure to bring it up when I got home.

Nia’s voice snapped me back to the present.

“Snow, I don’t want you to be alone,” she said softly, her brows knitted in concern.

I rolled my eyes playfully, hoping to ease her worry.

“I’m fine, Nia. Really,” I said with a small smile. “Go. Mason’s probably wondering where you are.”

She hesitated, studying me for a long moment, as if trying to decide whether to believe me.

Finally, she let out a breath and nodded.

“Okay. But if you need me, you better text me.”

I laughed quietly. “I will.”

Nia pulled me into a tight hug, squeezing me for a few seconds longer than usual.

“See you tomorrow?” she asked, her voice lighter now.

I nodded. “Tomorrow.”

With one last look, she turned and walked away, heading back toward the cafeteria.

And just like that, I was alone again.

The hallways were quieter now, most students already in their classes.

I wandered slowly toward my locker, my footsteps echoing softly against the walls.

I didn’t feel like going to class.

But I didn’t feel like doing anything else either.

I leaned against the cold metal of my locker, my thoughts drifting back to Kingston.

His smirk, his soft touches, the way he looked at me like I was the only person in the world.

And that kiss…

I touched my lips absentmindedly, the memory still fresh.

Why did he affect me this way?

Why did being around him feel so… safe?

I shouldn’t feel this way about him.

He was supposed to be the enemy or at least, that’s what my father would say.

But nothing about Kingston felt dangerous when I was with him.

If anything, it was everyone else who felt dangerous.

Mason’s friends.

The whispers in the halls.

The way people looked at me like I didn’t belong.

I sighed deeply, pushing off the locker.

Maybe I’m just overthinking everything.

Maybe I needed to stop worrying so much.

But that was easier said than done.

By the time school ended, I still felt off.

The walk to the parking lot felt longer than usual, and when I spotted my family’s car, I felt both relief and dread.

Zino was waiting in the driver’s seat, tapping his fingers against the wheel.

Dimitrios leaned against the car, scrolling through his phone, and Karsten was nowhere to be seen.

As I approached, Dimitrios looked up.

“You good?” he asked, his tone neutral.

“Yeah.”

He stared at me for a moment, then nodded slowly.

“Get in.”

The car ride was quiet, but I didn’t mind.

My thoughts were too loud anyway.

I needed to talk to them.

I needed to bring up the family outing.

I wasn’t going to let us drift apart.