LOGIN(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
(RORY'S POV)The garden looked like something from a dream.Strings of warm green lights crisscrossed above our heads, twinkling softly against the late morning sky like tiny stars that had decided to come down and join the party. Lanterns in shades of soft pink and gold hung from the branches of the old oak trees, casting a gentle glow over everything beneath them despite the natural light streaming into the garden.“Oh my goodness.” I was too stunned to move, tears pricked my eyes and I didn't even notice that my hand was trembling until Nana squeezed it tighter and said:“It's okay, Mija. Don't get too emotional, okay? Let's go forward.”I turned to her, her smile was wide and she had tears filled in her eyes. I didn't realize that the tears from my eyes had slid down my cheeks until she reached forward and touched them gently.“Don't ruin your makeup, please. Rosalie is going to get mad.” She whispered and tilted her head behind me.I cast a glance behind me and sure enough, right
(RORY'S POV)“Oh my goodness! So gorgeous!” Rosalie gushed over me with her phone extended, under the bright ring light.“Rosa, isn't that enough?” I groaned tiredly.“Yes, Rosa.” Aunt Ryan pushed forward, flashing me an apologetic smile on behalf of my sister who had taken over a thousand pictures of me and was still not willing to stop.I would have been ready to stay back for more pictures but I was feeling very anxious. I wanted to hurry down and see Todd aside, to talk to him and find out whatever Leslie had told him.But Rosa was making that far from possible.She pouted. “But I need a couple more videos. She looks so beautiful.” She whined, tilting her phone in front of me. Aunt Ryan held her shoulders and gently steered her away.“We all agree that Rory looks stunning but she needs a breather.” Aunt Ryan said and I released a deep sigh of breath and stood up from the chair, casting a grateful look at my aunty.“Thanks, Aunt Ryan.” I said and then I walked over to my sister and
(TODD’S POV)I could see the color drain from Rory’s face and her hands trembled. She took a step forward towards Leslie.“He wants to kill us? How? What—““Hey baby, wait.” I took her softly as I took a closer step as well and put my arm around her.She turned to look at me, her worried eyes widened.“Don’t worry about it. I can talk to Leslie. Just go inside and get ready for the party.” I told her calmly but her face looked defiant.“No.” She said unsurprisingly. “I can just stay and hear her out. You don’t have to protect me.”I didn’t plan on relenting. “I want to.” I insisted sternly. “And I will. It’s your birthday today, I don’t want you dealing with anything that’s going to ruin your mood.”She was already shaking her head at me.“What does my birthday matter if it’s a day we could lose our lives? I knew this party was a bad idea in the first place.” She cried out.She looked very worried. Actually, she looked scared.Leslie cleared her throat and we turned to her. She was tw
(RORY’S POV)Leslie Williams stood in front of us with the strangest expression I had ever seen on her face.She looked uncomfortable. Or guilty. I was not sure which but I was very sure that she looked sober standing in front of us.Todd looked like he was shocked by his presence which was very expected. I was shocked too but then he seemed to regain himself after a few seconds because shoulders became tensed immediately and the tension of the air became so thick that it could be sliced with a knife. “Hello.” Leslie broke the silence but immediately she spoke, Todd charged toward with an angry growl. “What the hell are you doing here?” He said. I grabbed him quickly before he even got closer to her. Leslie took steps back immediately, fear and guilt clouded her blue eyes. “Todd. Please calm down.” I said carefully.Todd turned to me like he could not believe anything I was saying. His eyes wide open in shock.“What? Calm down? Why on earth would you say that? This is Leslie and
(RORY’S POV) Leslie was not at school, and it got me worried, to be honest. Amanda told me that cheerleading practice had been canceled for no reason. It made me worry that Leslie was perhaps in prison, and I felt terrible. I know it’s silly that I feel that way, seeing as she publicly humiliated
(RORY’S POV) Stepping into the kitchen felt like stepping into an entirely different world. As I expected, Aunt Ryan was laughing out loud while slicing some pineapple at the counter. Rosalie was right next to her, dressed in her pyjamas and propped up on the counter, legs crossed and eating an ap
(RORY’S POV) “You should really try the turkey ham sandwich, I think you’ll love it,” Todd said, reaching for the disposable pack of turkey ham sandwiches. “Todd,” I said, a shy laugh bubbling out of me as my hand reached for his and rested gently on top. “I’ve had enough to eat… and it was all de
(RORY’S POV) I was not sure what exactly to do or say. I stood frozen, first trying to gather my thoughts together as my eyes grew accustomed to the suddenly overwhelming brightness. My vision blurred with tears as I noticed two people I never expected to see here. My Nana and My Aunt Ryan. They h







