Chapter 1 first day at senior year
My name is Kristine Nell, though everyone close to me calls me NK.
I grew up in the heart of New York City, surrounded by luxury, privilege, and parents who always seemed to have everything figured out. My family was wealthy, and so was the family of Raymond Carter — the boy who had unknowingly owned my heart for years.
Our parents had always been close friends, which meant Raymond and I practically grew up side by side. As kids, we were inseparable. We laughed together, shared secrets, and spent countless afternoons pretending the world belonged only to us.
Somewhere along the way, friendship stopped being enough for me.
At fifteen, I realized I had fallen for him.
But growing older changed everything.
The boy who used to know me better than anyone slowly drifted away, becoming someone I barely recognized. We still attended the same elite high school — one of the biggest and most prestigious schools in New York — but now we were worlds apart.
Thankfully, I had Emma and Rachael, my two best friends who made school bearable. We did everything together, and with senior year finally here, we promised ourselves one thing:
This year would be unforgettable.
Of course, they both knew about my ridiculous crush on Raymond… though neither of them approved.
And honestly, I understood why.
Raymond was the kind of guy every girl noticed the second he walked into a room. Popular, ridiculously handsome, confident, and never afraid to remind people that his father’s wealth made him untouchable.
Girls practically threw themselves at him.
But what drew me in the most wasn’t his looks.
It was his voice.
Whenever Raymond picked up his guitar and sang, it felt like the rest of the world disappeared… and somehow, I found myself falling for him all over again.
Pathetic, right?
Still, this was senior year.
And maybe…
Just maybe…
This would finally be the year Raymond Carter notice me ( on thier way back after school)
The ride home was filled with laughter.
Emma sat beside me in the backseat while Rachael kept talking nonstop about how stressful senior year was going to be. I simply listened, smiling at how chaotic my two best friends could be.
“I’m telling you both now,” Emma said dramatically, crossing her arms. “This year, I refuse to let school stress ruin my glow.”
Rachael burst out laughing.
“You say that every year, Emma.”
“Well this year I mean it.”
I shook my head, smiling softly as I stared outside the tinted car window. The streets of New York were busy as always, cars rushing past while people hurried along sidewalks.
Senior year.
The thought alone made my stomach twist.
This was our last year before college… our final year together before everything changed.
“You’ve been quiet,” Rachael suddenly said, narrowing her eyes at me. “Don’t tell me you’re thinking about Raymond again.”
I immediately turned toward her.
“I’m not.”
Emma and Rachael exchanged a look before both bursting into laughter.
“Oh please,” Emma said. “You literally stared at him in history class like he was the only person breathing in the room.”
I groaned.
“Can you both not start this again?”
“Kristine…” Rachael sighed. “We’ve been telling you for years. Raymond Carter is trouble.”
I looked down at my hands.
I hated when they talked about him like that.
Sure, Raymond acted arrogant sometimes.
Sure, girls followed him around like he was some celebrity.
And sure…
He barely noticed I existed anymore.
But none of that changed how I felt.
Not even a little.
The car finally stopped in front of my house.
My driver stepped out and opened the door for me while Emma leaned closer.
“By the way,” she said with a grin, “there’s a huge party this Friday. First senior party of the year.”
My eyes widened.
“A party?”
“Yep,” Rachael added excitedly. “And rumor says Raymond will be there.”
I froze.
My heart instantly betrayed me.
Emma noticed and smirked.
“There it is.”
“What?”
“That look.”
“What look?”
“The ‘Raymond exists so I forgot how to breathe’ look.”
I threw my bag lightly at her and all three of us started laughing.
“See you tomorrow!” I shouted as the car pulled away.
Walking inside the house, I headed straight upstairs and dropped onto my bed.
I stared at the ceiling.
Friday.
A party.
And Raymond would be there.
Maybe…
Just maybe…
This was finally my chance to get him to notice me.
Little did I know…
That party was about to change everything.
