LOGIN(RORY’S POV)
My sister, Rosalie’s voice was the first thing that popped up in my head. This fabric is perfect for the weather. I guess she did not expect me to practically get drenched in punch. Because now, i am thinking, of how unfortunate I am to be wearing this! Even with my eyes closed, I could feel the intense gazes of everyone in the room and there’s no way to express how humiliated I feel right now. My top felt plastered to my skin and looking down made me see how scandalous my boobs looked now in this drenched situation. Wine is still dripping from my hair down to my body and I feel very queasy all over a sudden. I heard Todd mutter a string of profanities as he caught me and wrapped me swiftly with his large leather jacket. “What the fuck, Leslie? How dare you!” He roared angrilly. “Please don’t fight.” I manage to say but Todd had my face pressed to his chest. He was protecting me from everything and everyone. A normal Todd thing to to. In one moment, he had carried me in his arms and had now risen to his feet. “How dare you!” He growled and I heard someone gasp. Todd sounded very angry, I sneaked a peak and his veins were throbbing. I swallowed and stole a glance at Leslie. My guess is that she is the one who gasped because her eyes are widened at Todd in surprise at his reaction. And then like a button was pushed, she snapped at him immediately . “How dare she! How dare this damned geek kiss my own boyfriend! How dare she have her socially nonexistent lips on my own boyfriend’s lips! I don’t care if anyone had to walk naked!” She screeched angrilly . There was a strong silence after her loud voice , then all eyes turned on Todd as if awaiting his reaction. He was simmering in anger. I could practically feel the growl from his inner tummy. I held on to his jacket tugging slightly to catch his attention. “It’s okay, Todd. It’s okay.” I begged. My voice was low and shaky but Todd seemed to have heard me clearly because his head snapped towards me immediately. Something in hin seemed to soften immediately as he stared down at me and then he gave a glare at Leslie before spinning around with me. I dared to look at the crowd watching us as he walked away but then I quickly closed my eyes. Everyone had been watching like a movie was playing and they even had their phones held up at us. The silence, made me realize, despite my alcohol infused state, that I had become the object of ridicule in this party. Leslie had dumped a whole bottle of wine on me for kissing her boyfriend who also happened to be my best friend. “Hey Todd, wait Up! You’re my ride!” I heard someone call from behind us accompanied by fast approaching footsteps It was Laurel. Todd said nothing. He just kept on moving in such fast strides that even though my eyes had been closed, it was no surprise when we got to the car quickly. Todd balanced me carefully as he opened the door to the backseat, then he placed me at the back laid down like a baby. He lingered above my face, his beautiful blue, concerned eyes searching my face. It felt like I had lost the ability to speak. I just stared, tongue tied at his beautiful face so close to mine and the kiss replayed in my head. Then he leaned forward and placed a kiss on my forehead. I was unable to stop myself from letting a gasp escape from my lips. There were a thousand butterflies in my tummy. But Todd didn’t seem to hear me gasp, he was busy being too guilty. “I’m so sorry, Candy. For everything tonight .” He murmured, his lips still hovering around my forehead. I craved for his lips to go down, to my lips, or maybe my neck….I know I should be thinking of the fact that Leslie had humiliated me and sent me a pack full of eye daggers as Todd and I left the party. But all I can think about is that Kiss! His tongue in mine, his lips against mine…. Todd withdrew and my stomach clenched in disappointment. Maybe I should have kissed him? But then I was reminded of why that was a bad idea…… “Is she passed out?” Laurel asked opening the door on the other end. “No but she looks like she will soon be. I think she is shaken by everything.” He said and I could feel the sadness in his voice . “Poor Rory.” I heard Laurel say. I want to tell Todd not to worry about me but then something pulls me back. I feel lazy and too relaxed, My eyes begin to feel heavy. I can hear Todd and Laurel conversing. Todd tells him to sit at the backseat and make sure nothing happens to me. I want to tell Todd that I want him beside me, Not Laurel. I want him to hold me, to kiss me…. But I know a loss when I see one. And I can tell that my body is about to give in, even though all I want to do is replay that kiss over and over and…………(RORY'S POV)(TWO YEARS LATER)The hospital room was quiet except for the beeping of the machines.I lay in the bed, exhausted but buzzing with a kind of energy I had never felt before. My red hair was plastered to my forehead. My body ached in places I didn't know existed. But none of that mattered.Because she was here."Here she is." The nurse placed a small bundle in my arms. "A healthy baby girl."I looked down at her. Really looked.She was tiny. Her skin was pink and wrinkled. Her eyes were closed, her little fists curled against her chest. A tuft of red hair peeked out from under the small blanket.Red hair. Just like mine."Hi, Mia." I whispered.My voice broke.Todd was beside me, his arm around my shoulders, his face wet with tears. He had been crying since they placed her in my arms. Maybe before that. I wasn't sure."She's perfect." He said, his voice hoarse. "She's absolutely perfect.""She has your nose.""She has your hair."We both laughed. We both cried.I looked at
(RORY'S POV)Six months later, I stood in front of a mirror in a white dress.The room was buzzing around me. Rosalie was fixing my veil. Nana was pinning a small blue ribbon to the inside of my dress. Tia was adjusting my bouquet. Aunt Ryan was running around making sure I didn’t need anything. Amanda was taking pictures of me."Stop moving, Bun." Rosalie said."I'm not moving.""You're vibrating."I laughed. She was right. I couldn't stop shaking. Not from cold. From nerves. From joy. From the overwhelming reality that in less than an hour, I would become Rory Davis-O'Connor.The dress was simple but elegant. White lace, long sleeves, a train that flowed behind me like water. My red curls were pinned up with small white flowers. The star necklace was around my neck, and on my finger, the engagement ring sparkled next to a simple gold band."You look beautiful, Mija." Nana said, stepping back to admire her work."Mom would have cried." I whispered.Nana's eyes filled with tears. "She
(RORY'S POV)"Yes." I finally whispered. "Yes, yes, a thousand times yes."The words tumbled out of me like water breaking through a dam. I couldn't stop saying it. Yes. Yes. Yes.Todd's face broke into the widest smile I had ever seen. His eyes were wet, but he was laughing. He slid the ring onto my finger, and it fit perfectly. Like it had been waiting for me.Then he stood up, and I threw myself into his arms.We kissed. Right there in the private room, with the city lights twinkling below and the candles flickering around us. It wasn't a polite kiss. It wasn't a quick kiss. It was deep and joyful and full of every promise we had ever made to each other."I love you." He said against my lips."I love you too." I said back.He pulled away just enough to look at me. His hands cupped my face, his thumbs wiping away my tears."You're crying." He said."Happy tears." I said. "The best kind."He kissed my forehead. Then my nose. Then my lips again."I can't believe you're going to be my
(RORY'S POV)I woke up to the smell of coffee.For a moment, I didn't know where I was. The bed was warm. The sheets smelled like Todd. And then I remembered.He stayed.I rolled over, but his side of the bed was empty. My heart almost dropped until I heard movement in the kitchen.I pulled on his shirt—the one he had left on the floor last night—and padded out of the bedroom.Todd was standing at my small kitchen counter, pouring coffee into two mugs. He was wearing only his sweatpants, his hair still messy from sleep. The morning light streamed through the window, making his skin glow."Good morning, graduate." He said without turning around."How did you know I was awake?""I heard you sigh."I laughed. "I don't sigh.""You do. You just did."He turned and handed me a mug. His blue eyes were bright. His smile was soft."Good morning, Candy.""Good morning my love."We leaned against the counter, sipping coffee, not saying much. It was comfortable. Easy. The way it had always been.
(RORY'S POV)The sun had long since set, but none of us wanted to leave. Why would we want to when we were having the most amazing time?The lawn had emptied out. Most families had gone home, and the campus was quiet now. But our little group was still huddled under the large tree, passing around delicious snacks and reliving the best moments of the day.Todd hadn't let go of my hand since he arrived. Every few minutes, he would squeeze it, like he was checking that I was still real. I squeezed back every time."You're staring again." I whispered to him."Can you blame me?" He whispered back.Aunt Ryan caught us and winked. "Young love. It never gets old."“Like can you both just remember that the rest of us are here. Please??”Andrew checked his watch. "We should probably head to the hotel. It's getting late."Nana nodded, yawning. "Mija, you must be exhausted.""A little." I admitted. "But the good kind of tired."Everyone started gathering their things. Rosalie was still taking vid
(RORY'S POV) (GRADUATION DAY)The morning of my graduation, I woke up before my alarm.Sunlight streamed through the curtains of my small apartment. For a moment, I just lay there, staring at the ceiling. Today was the day. Four years of late nights, coffee runs, and endless studying. All of it leading to this.I touched the star necklace around my neck. Todd's voice from our last call echoed in my head. "I'm going to try, Candy."I hadn't heard from him since yesterday. Just a short text: "Good luck tomorrow, baby. I love you more than anything."No mention of a flight. No mention of showing up.I pushed the thought away and got out of bed.---The cap and gown hung on the back of my door. I stared at them for a long moment. The deep blue fabric matched the Yale color. My name was printed on a small card pinned to the gown. Rory Davis. It looked strange. Official.I showered and curled my red hair until it fell in soft waves around my shoulders. I put on a little makeup—just enough







