The Heiress's Shadow novel Chapter 30

Chapter 23 

I was fine, not having anyone, because that meant nobody would be hurting when I left, but now I have four people I love, who have no idea I’m sick. 

I know Dylan and Max will understand. Megan will be pissed at me for not telling her but she’ll understand. 

Noah? He’s lost too many people already. 

I can’t tell him I like him. 

I can’t get closer to him than I already a 

1. am. 

He needs a girl who’ll always be by his side, comfort him, make him happy, make him smile at just the thought of her. 

He needs a girl who’s good enough for him. 

I’m not that girl. 

“Carter!” 

I sit up at the sound of Noah’s familiar voice. 

I don’t bother to put my hood up. 

He’s already seen me. What’s the point? 

I look over my shoulder and see his figure running towards me. 

“I am going to kill you.” He growls as he grabs my wrist and pulls me up, hugging 

He lets go a few seconds later. 

me to his chest. 

“Are you crazy?!” He shouts. “Do you know how dangerous it is to run to the next fucking town over in the middle of the fucking night all by -your–fucking–self?!” 

I shrug. “Sorry.” 

“Sorry? Sorry doesn’t do shit.” He grumbles as he grabs my arm and starts dragging me along. “We’re going home.” 

“See you tomorrow, pebble.” I state as we stand outside my front door. 

He ignores me. “We need to talk.” 

“About what?” I question, acting oblivious. 

“Oh, about what we’re going to name our future unicorn.” He smiles sarcastically before his eyes narrow and he gives me that familiar emotionless expression. “You know what.” 

“There’s nothing to talk about.” I shrug, trying to step past him but he grabs my wrist and pulls me back. 

“You kissed me then you punched me!” 

“I punched you because you pulled my hood off!” I shout at him. 

That’s not true at all. He didn’t pull my hood off. 

“It was an accident!” He shouts back. “Why’d you kiss me?!” 

“Why’d you kiss back?!” I answer his question with another question. 

“Because I like you!” He yells before his eyes soften and he speaks more quietly. “I like you, Carter.” 

I gulp. 

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The Heiress’s Shadow 

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“Well…I don’t like you.” 

Lies. 

My heart breaks at the expression on his face. 

“But…you kissed me.” 

“I was caught up in the moment.” I say through my teeth. 

“I don’t believe you.” 

I stare up at him. “Noah-” 

“I don’t believe you.” He says firmly. “I know you’re hiding something from me.” 

I want to kiss him and tell him the truth so bad. 

But I can’t. 

“Look, I still want to be friends.” I speak up after a moment. 

His hard eyes stare me down 

“Me too.” He sighs after a few moments. “I’ll bring your stupid electronic doll to school for you.” 

“Thanks.” I give him a small smile. “See you tomorrow, Pebble.” 

“See you tomorrow, Carter.” 

I shut my locker and lean my hood–clad forehead on it. 

I didn’t get much sleep last night. 

“Carter!” I turn around just in time to catch a flying Kamri. “There’s your robot baby.” 

“Thanks, Pebble.” I mumble with a yawn, not looking at him. 

“You didn’t get much sleep either, did you?” Noah questions. 

I shake my head, looking at him. 

Dark circles are around his eyes, making him look as tired as I feel. 

“Hey, Nevaeh.” Megan smile coming up to me. “Hey, Noah.” 

“Kia Ora.” I yawn yet again. 

“Hi.” Noah nods. 

I really need to tell Megan. 

About what happened with Noah…and about the cancer. 

“Hey, Meg?” I say suddenly, making her look at me questioningly. “Pizza Palace after school?” 

Her eyebrows furrow but she nods anyway. “Yeah, of course.” 

She stares at me for a few seconds. She always knows when something’s wrong. 

“Did I hear someone say ‘Pizza Palace‘?” Max bounds up to us with Dylan in tow. “We’ll be there.” 

Before I can answer, Megan does. 

“No.” 

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Chapter 23 

( 

We all stare 

at 

her, shocked. She’s too nice to flat out 

say ‘no‘ 

to 

anyone. 

She frowns slightly, no doubt feeling bad for snapping. “Sorry. Girls night.” 

“Yeah, no problem.” Max frowns in confusion before turning to Noah. “Why do you look more pissed than usual?” 

“Shut up.” Noah says simply before walking away. 

“What’s up with him?” Max asks in confusion. 

I look at Dylan, who hasn’t said anything all morning. 

He’s staring longingly at something across the hall. 

I switch my gaze to where he’s looking and see Joey Sanders, star forward and captain of the soccer team. 

What the… 

The bell rings, signalling we should get to class. 

Dylan sighs, walking a few feet away to his locker and opening it. 

“Let’s go, 

Nev. We’ve got Early Childhood.” Max perks up, tugging on my arm. 

“I’ll meet you there.” I say slowly, slipping my arm out of his grasp. “I just need to grab a few things out of my locker first.” 

He gives me a confused look. “Uh, okay.” 

Poor Max. Everyone’s confusing him today. 

I wait until Max is completely out of sight before making my way to Dylan. 

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