LOGIN(THIRD PERSON'S POV)"Oh, these are so beautiful." Nana gushed over the bouquet of tulips that Rosalie was holding like a wrapped baby in her hands."They are." Rosa agreed with a pout. Then she cast a glance around before leaning closer to Nana's ear. "Guess what? Andrew also made a reservation for Aunt Ryan. They're having a romantic dinner at the rooftop of one of the most famous restaurants in town.""Ooohhh!!" Nana clasped her hands together while she and Rosalie giggled together like little kids."Do you think he's going to propose?" Nana asked and Rosalie rolled her eyes."I don't know that, Nana. Let's not rush okay? Let's just be happy that they are happy.""Oh, I need more grandchildren!" Nana said and Rosalie hushed her calmly."If Andrew hears that, you're going to scare him. And if Aunt Ryan hears that, she won't like it."Nana huffed and folded her arms. "There's no way they'll hear me. They're all the way over there."Andrew and Ryan were across the room, welcoming gues
(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) "I can't see them. I want to see them." Nana insisted. Her face was squished against the phone screen, her eyes narrowed like that would help her see better. Behind her, I could see the familiar kitchen cabinets, the edge of the dining table, the sunlight coming through the window.
(RORY'S POV) Tia walked into the hospital room as boldly as ever. Not in a rude way. In a confident way. The kind of way that made you feel like everything was going to be okay because she was here now. She was wearing a simple blue dress and her hair was pulled back. But her eyes were sharp.
(RORY’S POV) The lightness I'd felt with Todd evaporated the moment Jason swaggered into view with that annoyingly satisfied smile plastered on his face. My expression soured instantly at the sight of him and my stomach clenched tightly. Having absolutely no intention of entertaining his drama, I
(RORY'S POV) I walked through the front door, and the darkness wrapped around me like a blanket. The house was not completely dark. A single lamp glowed in the living room, casting soft light into the hallway where I stood. It seemed like everyone had gone to bed. The clock on the wall said it was







