By age fourteen, Natalie had fallen in love with Kate. Or so she believed in her twisted head. She was a loyal puppy who would do anything she wanted as long as she got rewarded in the end. She became highly protective of Kate, craved Kate’s attention like a drug, and couldn’t do without her.
By age fifteen, Natalie had begun to resent her father. David had no right to Kate—she, Natalie, was the one who she loved. So the quarrels with her father started.
David could not understand where all the attitude was coming from. Of course he couldn’t. Not when Natalie kept a tight lip on what the problem was. So one night, Natalie’s jealousy got to a fever point. She took a knife and attempted to stab David while he was asleep with Kate.
Natalie wasn’t scared of Kate finding out what she did. She did it for her. Because she loved her.
Unfortunately, the wound was shallow, and David had been quick to wake and overpower her, thus saving his life. The incident was kept under wraps, but the damage had been done.
David sent her to Lunaris Academy. Yes, the school was her punishment and prison. Her father could only feel safe knowing she would be back only on holidays.
Being away from Kate was hell, and like a junkie, she suffered withdrawals. It got so bad that she escaped from school one day just to see Kate, but the woman had sent security who bundled her back to school and ensured she couldn’t escape again.
Natalie felt betrayed. She could have done anything for Kate. And yet, she treated her like that.
Settling down in Lunaris Academy, she got to hear about the Counselor that made one’s problems go away. Natalie was in a bad place, and she just wanted everything to go away, even if it was for a second.
So Natalie booked a "session" with him. Mid-passion, unknown to her, Micah stole her memories. However, it was so twisted that Micah blurted, "You fuck your stepmother?"
Just like that, the truth was out.
He knew what she did.
And she knew what he could do.
Unknown to most people, Micah was a real counselor, even though he had a "side" job. He was the one who helped her realize the wrong path she was on.
Not once did he ever judge her. Perhaps an incubus with a thirst for sex and a human in a forbidden relationship with her stepmother had too many similarities, and made the best friendship after all.
For the first two years at Lunaris, her relationship with Kate was "on" and "off" during the holidays. Kate resented her for trying to kill her husband—yet she still couldn’t keep her hands off her. Micah tried to help, but the urge was stronger. No matter how hard Natalie fought it, she kept giving in.
So Micah gave her a strategy: stay away from temptation, aka home. Aka Kate.
It was hard. Natalie had been entangled with Kate for a long time. Letting go of that kind of bond wasn’t easy. But Micah stayed by her side. And she was winning, until now.
Kate’s voice turned into a purr, soft and coaxing. "I know the past years have been tough on us, and you resent me for agreeing with your father and sending you away to Lunaris Academy. But I’m sorry now. I just miss you so much."
While Kate spoke, her hand was already sliding along Natalie’s thigh. Natalie stiffened, goosebumps breaking out across her skin.
"Stop this!" She roared, but it was only in her head. Why couldn’t she just say it out loud? What was wrong with her? Why couldn’t she just stop her?
"And I know you missed me too, beneath all that tough exterior," Kate whispered, her palm now sneaking underneath. She tugged Natalie’s panties aside and ran a finger through her slit.
Natalie’s breath hitched in her throat.
It wasn’t just repulsion that hit her. It was the memories. All of them. Everything they’d done, everything she’d allowed. Everything Kate had made her think was love. She was caught in the sensation again.
The passion was rising until a sharp and jarring knock ripped through the moment.
Natalie jerked back to herself.
She shoved Kate away, scrambled for the door and opened it to Jameson’s expectant face.
"What’s keeping you—"
But Natalie brushed past her without a word.
She didn’t return to lunch. Natalie didn’t even look back. She took off so fast that no one even realized she was gone until they’d waited long enough.
Natalie couldn’t breathe. She needed to get away. Away from all of them. She flagged a taxi and went in without even verifying the face of the driver. It sped through the city, but the suffocation didn’t ease. She felt sick to the stomach.
When it stopped outside Lunaris Academy’s gate, she jumped out and left the door swinging.
"Hey!" The driver yelled, "Where is my money?"
But Natelie didn’t care and the security at the gate stopped the man from entering. Natalie ran the rest of the distance and students watched her with surprise. This was totally unlike her.
But Natalie didn’t care about the stares. No, nothing mattered as she bolted for her dorm and up the stairs. She didn’t even bother closing the door to her room and rushed straight to the bathroom.
Then she grabbed her toothbrush, smeared it with paste immediately, and began to scrub hard.
Natalie brushed and brushed until her gums bled and her mouth burned. And that’s when Micah found her.
Of course, he found out.
"Natalie!" Micah shouted, rushing to her. He grabbed the brush from her hand and flung it away. His arms went around her just as she broke down.
"I feel so dirty!" she cried, her whole body shaking. "I feel so dirty!"
"Shh," he whispered, holding her tight. "You’re not dirty. She’s the dirty one. It’s high time you told the truth, Natalie."
"I don’t know, Micah..." she sobbed. "I’m so scared. I’m so scared."