LOGIN(RORY'S POV)"I'm leaving Daisyland." The moment the words left her lips, the tears gathered in her eyes.My heart sank but I felt a little bit relieved because I had been scared that something else was happening. Something terrible. And even this was coming as a shock, it was way better than the other terrible things I had imagined.I shifted closer to Amanda and put an arm around her shoulder."You're leaving Daisyland?"She nodded."Why?"She sighed deeply and then ran her fingers through her hair briefly to show how frustrated she was."Tia told me she found a family who wants to adopt my siblings and me. A couple actually, and they were so excited to meet us that they came physically yesterday." She explained. "They seem like really lovely and sweet people, plus Tia says she knows them and that they can be trusted. But they live far away in Nevada."It was a brief and detailed summary that explained everything and left my mouth hanging open. I never expected to hear Nevada. Aman
(RORY'S POV)"I just don't think it's so important for me to keep going to school." I pointed out with a scowl. "What's the point if I am going to leave soon anyway?"Dad turned to look at me and I knew that the conversation was already over before it started."First of all, there's nothing wrong with you going to school. It's not useless." He began, dropping the newspaper he held in his hands. "Secondly, we have to make sure that you keep on putting up appearances. We can't let anyone know that we plan on leaving Daisyland."I sighed."Your father is right, mija." Nana called, looking up from her phone. She was seated on the sofa beside Dad while I stood before the two of them in the living room.I had been trying to get them to let me miss school so that Todd and I could plan something fun instead. But the answer was no. A clearly defined no."I thought you and Todd would want to spend time together. Won't you miss the school days? Take advantage of this short time you have left." M
(RORY'S POV)I've always wanted to have a home sleepover with Todd. At his place or at mine. I imagined that we would stay up all night talking and laughing in hushed tones. I imagined we would have a lot of midnight snacks as we watched movies together.But our night together was nothing like that.It was quiet and yet very intimate. We held each other close with Todd stroking me gently until I fell asleep. It was one of the best nights I had ever had.When I woke up, still resting against his chest, he was fast asleep too. It was morning and I gently propped myself up on my chin. My eyes traced his perfect features, wishing I could have his face imprinted in my brain.But it was imprinted already, to be honest. It was memorized even. I have grown up with him, spent every day of the past eleven years with him. I wondered and hoped that all of it would be enough to keep us together, that it would hold us steady and that—"Hey there, creep." Todd's hoarse voice made me snap out of my t
(RORY'S POV)For a moment, the air stilled and it felt like Todd and I had stopped breathing. He just stared down at me with eyes that were unreadable."Please say something." I begged him in a voice barely more than a whisper. And feeling a rush of impatience, I added, "Are you angry with me?"Todd's face softened and then he shook his head at me."Of course I'm not angry with you." He said and then his hand moved to my jaw, cupping it gently. "Why would I be angry with you? There's no need for that."Tears stung my eyes but they didn't flow. I moved my head to kiss his hand. Then I changed my seating position, so that I was now cross-legged on the bed, facing him.I took his hands in mine."I don't want to leave but Todd…. We have to." I said softly.He sighed again, removing one hand from mine so that he could run his fingers through his hair."I know." He said.I looked down at our hands. His fingers were long and warm. They had held me through so many hard moments. They had wiped
(RORY'S POV)In the end, I was very well aware that Rosalie was right about everything she said to me.Dad wasn't trying to be mean. Neither were Todd's parents. They were only trying to be protective of their children, especially after having such near death experiences.They didn't want to lose us.I didn't want to lose Todd as well, but what was the point of staying here if it was not safe for us? I almost lost him too and he almost lost me. Because of all that had happened.I stayed in my room for a long time, kept myself cuddled in my sheets, thinking about everything. I didn't even realize that so much time had passed.My mind kept going in circles. One moment I was angry at my dad for making this decision without asking me. The next moment I understood why he had to. The Williams had taken so much from us already. My childhood. My sense of safety. My peace of mind. I couldn't let them take my future too.But then I thought of Todd. His smile. His laugh. The way he held my hand
(RORY'S POV)I didn't know how long we stood there. Todd and me. Holding each other in the middle of the living room like the world was ending.Maybe it was.After a while, Todd pulled back and wiped his face with the back of his hand. His eyes were still red, but he wasn't crying anymore. He looked tired. So tired."I should go." He said quietly."No." I grabbed his hand. "Please don't. Not yet."He shook his head. "Your family needs time with you. And I need to talk to my parents. Alone."I wanted to argue. I wanted to beg him to stay. But I knew he was right. There was so much to figure out. So much to process."Okay." I whispered.He leaned down and kissed my forehead. His lips were soft and warm."I love you, Candy." He said."I love you too."Then he walked to the door. He paused with his hand on the handle, looking back at me. For a moment, I thought he was going to say something else. But he just shook his head slightly and walked out.The door closed behind him.And I was alo
(RORY’S POV)“Don’t worry baby. I have a plan.” He said. “A plan?” I repeated . I want to get a recording of Denver Williams while he talks about how much he owns me. To do that, I need to rile him up a little. I want to ignore him until later. Maybe after the game when he comes to see me himself
(TODD'S POV)I had lost count of how many times Denver Williams had called me.I would have preferred to have switched off my phone since I had already planned on ignoring him till he came looking for me himself.But I could not turn off my phone because of Rory. I had to leave it on standby. In ca
(TODD'S POV)"O'Connor!" A hand came down on my shoulder, pulling me to the present.Laurel was looking at me with an expression that looked like he was observing a spider."What's wrong?" He asked me. "It's just the Horses. You should not be scared of them."I realized he thought I was nervous for
(RORY'S POV)"Goooo Wildcat!" Nana yelled shaking her pompoms.The sound was so loud that people around us turned to look. Nana didn't care. She never did at games. Her whole face was lit up, eyes fixed on the court even though the players hadn't come out yet."Nana!" Rosalie whined as she cleaned







