LOGIN(RORY'S POV)The moment I woke up, I knew something was wrong. I could feel it and it just wasn't the strange text Todd had sent to me last night.It was the fact that the house sounded noisy and rowdy downstairs. I threw on a dress robe and hurried down the stairs with my heart racing in my chest. My whole body could feel it, that something was wrong.And when I got downstairs and saw Aunt Ryan, Tia and Dad huddled up together, I knew that something was definitely wrong.They froze when they saw me and their eyes told me they were covering up something important.“What's wrong?” I asked before I even got to the foot of the stairs. “This is about Todd, isn't it? I know it's about him.”I hadn't waited for them to confirm but my gut told me I was right.The three adults exchanged a look and then Dad stepped forward just as I started to take steps closer to them.“How did you sleep, Mija? We're sorry to wake you.” Dad sounded formal and blunt, increasing the way my heart was racing.“I
(RORY'S POV)The garden had grown quiet. Most of the guests had left, and the fairy lights seemed dimmer now, like they were tired too. I could hear Nana laughing somewhere inside the house with Aunt Ryan and Sophia, their voices muffled through the walls.Todd and I stood near the back gate, the place where we wanted to say goodbye. His hand was still wrapped around mine, his thumb tracing slow circles on my skin."You should get some rest," he said softly. "It's been a long day."I laughed without humor. "That's an understatement."He pulled me closer, his arms circling my waist. I let myself lean into him, my cheek pressed against his chest. His heartbeat was steady beneath my ear, a calming rhythm I had come to depend on."I'm sorry again," he murmured into my hair. "I wish I could take it all back. Give you a do-over."I shook my head against him. "No. I needed to know. Better now than later, right?"He didn't answer right away. Instead, he tilted my chin up so he could look at m
(RORY’S POV)I wasn’t sure of what to do or to say anymore. Especially after seeing the pictures Todd had shown me. Private messages between Amanda and Leslie.It confirmed Leslie was not lying and that made my bones feel so weak that I sank onto one of the swings.Todd was silent for a few seconds and then he came forward and crouched before me.“I’m so sorry, Candy. I really wanted to keep this until after your birthday. I know how much Amanda means to you.” He said softly, his eyes clouded with guilt.“It’s not your fault. I insisted.” I said, avoiding his gaze and focusing on my fingers as they interlocked with one another.Todd took my hand in his quickly and I was forced to look back up into his eyes.“Are you okay?” He asked me. Softly, with concern.I nodded and shrugged. And then I sighed.“I don’t know what to think.” My voice came out like a shaky croak, and I realized that I was finding it a little less easy to breathe. “I shouldn’t feel too betrayed, I mean what was I thi
(RORY’S POV)“Wh-what’s wrong with Amanda?” The words rushed out of my mouth despite the rate at which my heart was racing.It suddenly felt like my birthday had been celebrated a long time ago. Like all the fun that had happened during the party was a distant memory and we were now present in a grey clouded environment.“Did the Williams find out that she helped us? Oh my God, is she in trouble?”Todd’s hand reached for mine immediately.“Hey, hey.” He called softly, his free hand cupped my face and held me firmly so that I looked directly into his eyes. “Calm down, okay? Amanda is fine and out of trouble. Also, the Williams don’t know that she helped you with evidence against him.” Then he added with a shrug. “At least, not that I know of.”I released a sigh of relief but my worry did not go completely. How could it when Todd still had that look on his face? The one that said something was terribly wrong.I got off the swing, his hand still in mine and made sure that I was standing
(RORY’S POV)My birthday turned out to be way cooler than I expected. I didn’t even think of the Williams for once when it started.After we cut the cake together, we had an open buffet that had all kinds of foods, a huge thanks to Nana. There was also a wonderful dessert table, which had different flavors of Candy fluff, assorted cookies, a variety of ice cream and so many types of doughnuts.Then there was a huge bouncing castle set up at the back of the house. It was almost like a kiddies party and though we didn’t have many kids around, the teenagers and adults present made sure they had a lot of fun as well.Everyone was playing and laughing. I got on the bouncing castle. Just once. And it was all because Todd and Rosalie forced me onto it. They made me the first person to get on the bouncing castle, opening the gates for more people to get onto the bouncing castle.By the end of the day, everyone was very exhausted. Even Dad. And trust me, that says a lot. I did see him on the b
(RORY’S POV)My birthday turned out to be way cooler than I expected. I didn’t even think of the Williams for once when it started.After we cut the cake together, we had an open buffet that had all kinds of foods, a huge thanks to Nana. There was also a wonderful dessert table, which had different flavors of Candy fluff, assorted cookies, a variety of ice cream and so many types of doughnuts.Then there was a huge bouncing castle set up at the back of the house. It was almost like a kiddies party and though we didn’t have many kids around, the teenagers and adults present made sure they had a lot of fun as well.Everyone was playing and laughing. I got on the bouncing castle. Just once. And it was all because Todd and Rosalie forced me onto it. They made me the first person to get on the bouncing castle, opening the gates for more people to get onto the bouncing castle.By the end of the day, everyone was very exhausted. Even Dad. And trust me, that says a lot. I did see him on the b
(LESLIE’S POV) “You’re back early,” Joy announced the obvious as I sat down in the car. I rolled my eyes and dropped my purse with a force. “Leslie, what’s wrong?” Sheila asked, leaning closer to me. “Nothing is wrong with me!” I snapped in annoyance. This was not what I needed right now.
(RORY’S POV) The morning sunlight streamed in through my window, and I received it with a loud groan. I hadn't even opened my eyes yet, but the weight of last night’s events crashed down on me. I dragged myself out of bed and to the bathroom, wishing I could erase the thoughts in my head. But it
(RORY'S POV) My phone beeped just as the bell rang and the screen lit up with Todd's name. BESTIE: I have to watch tapes with the coach so I won't be there with you for break. Text me if you need me. Please stay safe. A small, private smile touched my lips as I gathered my books. Even amid the ch
(RORY’S POV) My fist knocked on the door, the sound was firm and decisive against the quiet of the evening in the large compound. I stepped back, wringing my hands clasped together as I waited. My fear of driving was gone and now replaced by the dread of this confrontation. This was the closest ho







