LOGIN(TODD’S POV)I dropped Chad like he was garbage. He slumped back onto the floor, gasping for air. I turned to Amanda, who was standing there with her hand over her mouth.“Where is she?” I whispered to no one in particular.A thousand thoughts crashed my mind but I could not even concentrate on one. I felt lost, lost in a pool of hazy thoughts. Dipped in a well of dread.“We—we must think.” Amanda rushed to me. It was clear to see that she was anxious too. Her brown eyes widened in fear.“Who on earth paid attention to her other than this bastard!” I growled angrily as I turned to Chad.He straightened his posture, moving away from me, and he wiped the blood from his lip, his voice shaking.“I don’t know, man! Everyone was watching her! She was the damned attention of the day. I know I followed her a little but I did stop. Especially when that Jason guy chased me off in the hall. I left her alone I swear.” He protested desperately.My heart skipped a beat. Jason. The ex-boyfriend who
(TODD’S POV)The drive to Amanda’s apartment felt like a blur of neon streetlights and a growing, suffocating dread. My hands were gripped so tightly around the steering wheel that my knuckles were stark white. I kept glancing at my phone on the passenger seat, praying for a buzz, a ring, a notification—anything to tell me that Rory was okay and that I was just being a paranoid boyfriend.But the screen remained dark. Silent.“Please be there, Candy,” I whispered, my voice sounding cracked and desperate in the quiet car. “Please just be there helping her with some stupid crisis.”I pulled into the compound, barely stopping the car before I was out and sprinting toward her door. I didn't care about being polite. I didn't care about the neighbors. I hammered on the door with my fist, the sound echoing loudly.The door swung open, and Amanda stood there, looking completely confused. She was wearing an oversized t-shirt and holding a half-eaten bag of chips.“Todd? What are you doing here
(TODD’S POV)Standing on the porch of the Davis house felt like finally reaching the finish line of a marathon. The air in Daisyland smelled different than New York—cleaner, quieter, and full of the promise of Rory.Rory. I adjusted the collar of my white shirt and checked my reflection in the side window. I looked good, but more importantly, I felt alive for the first time in a week.In my left hand, I held a bouquet of beautiful , white roses. They were different from the regular red ones I would get for her but these ones signified the finalPeace. And I knew she would love it. I could already imagine the look on her face when she opened the door—that surprised little gasp followed by the smile that always made my chest feel tight. My Candy.I reached out and pressed the doorbell. The chime echoed through the house, but as the seconds ticked by, nobody came to the door."Come on, Candy," I whispered with a grin, checking my watch. "I know you're in there getting all dressed up."
(RORY’S POV)No! No! No!This had to be a damned dream!“Jason, stop," I begged, my heart hammering so hard I thought it would burst. "You’re not thinking straight. You’re grieving. Let’s just call someone , someone who can help—""I don't want anyone! I want you!" he roared, grabbing my shoulders. His grip was like iron. "I am so sorry I broke up with you. It was the biggest mistake of my life, and I haven't had a happy second since then. I can't be happy without you, Rory. I'll die without you. Don't you see? We have to go. Now. Before Todd gets here. I heard about all your plans from when you were telling that fake friend of yours ."“B-but you weren’t even in the class.” I said. “Oh I was! I had my hoodie up. No one whispered anything about Mr Harrison. I was there myself.” He said with a dry laugh. “But you didn’t even notice me. You never do these days.” He said in a bitter tone.I was in deep trouble. Deep trouble. I couldn’t try to fight Jason back, not only did he look craz
(RORY’S POV)The silence in the foyer was suddenly heavy, like the air had turned into lead. Jason stood there, just a few feet from me, but he didn't look like the grieving boy I’d felt sorry for at school. His eyes were wide, and they didn't seem to blink. The souvenir bag in his hand was trembling, but his face was as still as a statue."Jason, you’re acting a little bit strange," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. I forced a small, nervous laugh, hoping to break the tension. "Maybe you’re just tired? It’s been a long week for everyone. Why don’t you just leave the bag on the table and go home? We can talk tomorrow when things are more normal."Jason didn't move. Instead, he took a slow step toward me. "Normal? Rory, nothing has been normal since Todd came forcefully into the picture. He’s like a virus. He got into your head and made you forget everything we had. He made you forget that we were supposed to be together and that he was just a best friend to you.”"Jason, we brok
(RORY’S POV)The final bell of the day felt like a victory song. I had survived the whispers, the stares, and the constant feeling of being a spectacle. As I walked out of the school gates, the afternoon sun was beginning to dip, painting the sky in shades of orange and soft pink. I pulled out my phone to call a cab, but before I could even open the app, it started vibrating in my hand.My heart skipped a beat when I saw the caller ID. It was a video call from Todd.I swiped the screen so fast that I almost dropped the phone. His face filled the screen, and for a second, I couldn't even speak. He was sitting in what looked like a terminal, his hair a bit messy and a tired but beautiful smile on his lips.“Hey, Candy,” he said, his voice deep and warm, sounding like home.“Hi, my love,” I breathed, stepping away from the crowd of students heading toward the parking lot. I didn't care who saw me smiling like a fool at my phone. “I was just about to call a cab. How are you? You look tire
(TODD'S POV) I froze. Denver Williams stood in the doorway of the living room, one hand in his pocket, the other holding what looked like a folder. He was dressed in a dark suit, perfectly pressed, like he had just come from a board meeting. His eyes scanned me slowly, the way you'd look at someth
(TODD'S POV) Damn Leslie! Damn Denver and Dana Williams! Damn the whole family! I did not want to pick up the call. I hated that I even had to think about it! I hated that I knew that If I did not pick up then I was a coward. I pressed answer before I changed my mind. "Good morning, ma." I gree
(RORY’S POV) Todd and I sneaked back outside while nana was busy watching Tv this time. She must have thought that I had been outside all along. “I’m going to miss you.” I said sadly as we got outside. “I miss you already” He said and he pulled me into a hug. Held me for a long moment. “I can’t
(THIRD PERSON POV) Leslie scrolled through her phone, her eyes moving slowly across the screen. She was in her bedroom, lying across her bed in her silk pajamas, her hair wrapped in a scarf. The room was pink and white, expensive-looking, with fairy lights around her mirror and photos of herself o







