The Truth
Chapter 12: The Truth
That evening, Riya burst into Kia’s room.
“You messed up.”
“I know.”
“No, like REALLY messed up.”
“What happened?”
Riya showed her a phone screen.
A photo.
Austin at basketball practice.
With the entire team.
“No girl,” Riya said.
Kia felt her stomach drop.
“Oh no.”
“You should fix this immediately.”
Kia grabbed her jacket and ran out the door.
She found Austin sitting on the same hill in the park where they had their first date.
“Kia,” he said quietly.
“I’m sorry.”
He looked at her.
“I should’ve trusted you.”
Austin didn’t speak for a moment.
Then he said softly,
“You really hurt me.”
“I know.”
She stepped closer.
“I got scared.”
“Of what?”
“Losing you.”
His expression softened slightly.
“You won’t lose me because of rumors.”
Kia looked up at him.
“I promise I’ll trust you next time.”
Austin sighed.
“You’re lucky I like you.”
She smiled.
“You love me.”
He raised an eyebrow.
“That’s a strong accusation.”
“Admit it.”
Austin looked at her for a long moment.
Then he said quietly,
“Fine.”
Her heart skipped.
“I love you.”
Kia laughed happily and hugged him.
“I love you too.”
Austin wrapped his arms around her.
“You know something?”
“What?”
“This enemies-to-lovers thing worked out pretty well.”
Kia smiled.
“Yeah.”
And this time when he kissed her under the evening sky…
There were no rumors.
No rivals.
No misunderstandings.
Just them.Chapter 10: The Rival
For the next few weeks, Kia and Austin became the most talked-about couple in school.
Not that Kia loved the attention.
But Austin seemed completely unbothered.
One afternoon they were walking home together when a black motorcycle stopped beside them.
The rider removed his helmet.
“Volkov.”
Austin immediately tensed.
Kia looked between them.
“Do you know him?”
Austin sighed.
“Yes.”
The boy smirked.
“Nice to see you again.”
“Not really,” Austin replied coldly.
Kia frowned.
“Who is he?”
The boy extended a hand.
“Daniel.”
Kia shook it cautiously.
“Hi…”
Daniel looked amused.
“So this is the girl.”
Austin’s jaw tightened.
“Leave.”
“Relax,” Daniel said. “I just came to say hello.”
His eyes flicked between them.
“Didn’t expect you to settle down, Volkov.”
Kia glanced at Austin.
“What does that mean?”
“Nothing,” Austin said quickly.
Daniel laughed.
“Oh, she doesn’t know?”
“Daniel.”
“Relax,” Daniel said again. “Just warning her.”
“Warning me about what?” Kia asked.
Daniel shrugged.
“Austin has a habit of breaking hearts.”
Silence fell.
Austin looked furious.
“Get lost.”
Daniel smirked and rode away.
But the damage had already been done.
