LOGIN(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
(RORY’S POV)It was Jason. He was standing there with his books clutched to his side, his face set in a hard line.Chad raised an eyebrow at Jason, looking him up and down like he was a bug, and then looked back at me. He glanced around the hallway and finally noticed that almost everyone was staring at the scene. Even for Chad, this was too much negative attention.“Whatever, nerds! Have a fun little book club meeting,” he said with a scoff. He shoved his hands in his pockets and walked away, finally leaving me alone.I turned to Jason, and the anger I felt for Chad immediately turned into a deep, heavy sadness. “Hi, Jason,” I said softly. I felt a lump forming in my throat. “Thanks for that. He was really starting to get to me.”“It’s no problem, Rory,” Jason said calmly. He stepped closer, and I could see him clearly now. “It’s good to see you back. Everyone was worried.”His smile was tired, and he had deep, dark circles under his eyes that made him look like he hadn't slept in w
(RORY’S POV) “That was a nice movie,” Amanda said with a bright smile, sitting up and moving closer to the laptop. I snapped out of my thoughts, and my eyes fell guiltily on her. I was so ashamed of myself! For the first time in forever, I had a true girlfriend who was spending time with me to che
(RORY’S POV) “Hey, Candy,” Laurel said, his usual annoying smirk lingering on his lips. I was definitely not expecting Laurel at my doorstep. He had been to my house before—twice when I had a small birthday party thrown by Todd, and three other times when Todd dropped by with him. “What do you wa
(TODD’S POV) Everything happened so fast. One moment, I was lost in Rory’s eyes, the next, I was almost kissing her—and then it was all terminated the moment my mom stepped into the room with a look on her face that showed how displeased she was. I knew that face, and I was not ready to have that
(RORY’S POV) From Todd dropping me off, to giving me a farewell kiss on my forehead, to me walking into my house and to my room…. I did not feel like I was awake. I felt like I was walking on clouds, and that feeling carried on for a very long time. Even when I was in the midst of two of my favo







