บททั้งหมดของ When Best Friends Kiss: บทที่ 31 - บทที่ 40

(TODD’S POV) CRASH! The sound from the kitchen was like a gunshot in the silent foyer. We sprang apart as if electrocuted, as the spell between us shattered into a million pieces. My pulse, which had been thrumming with a desperate, tender hope, now raced with pure adrenaline. “Sorry about that, guys!” Rosalie’s voice rang out from the kitchen. The moment was gone and was now replaced by a thick, suffocating awkwardness. Rory’s gaze darted everywhere—to the floor, the walls, the ceiling—anywhere but at me. A pretty blush stained her cheeks as her fingers flew to a loose curl, twisting it nervously. The air, once warm and intimate, now felt cold. “I should get going,” I managed to say. My mind was a chaotic mess, screaming in protest at the interruption. She nodded, finally meeting my eyes for a fleeting second. “Yes, you should. You have a game to win tomorrow.” Her tone was soft, layered with a concern that made my chest ache. “You have a record to break tomorrow,” I reminded h

(RORY’S POV) The walk to the front of the hall felt like a mile. I saw Jason standing near the judges' table with a smug, vindictive tilt to his mouth. Beside him was Adam , the vice president of the Daisyland High science club. My heart pounded frantically against my ribs but I kept my head high, maintaining a confident facade. Mr. Coleman, a man with a severe haircut and a clipboard held like a shield, looked down at me. “Miss Davies, a formal complaint has been lodged by representatives of your former team. They allege that your recent conduct, specifically a viral video, brings the integrity of this competition into disrepute and that your participation is a violation of the event’s moral clause.” His words hit me hard even though u was anticipating them. I opened my mouth, but no sound came out. At this point, there was nothing I could do but await judgement. Jason stepped forward, unable to contain himself. “It’s a matter of character, sir. We can’t have someone representin

(RORY’S POV) From the moment the first question was asked, I knew. Fifteen minutes in, and it was already over. I was going to win. Just like all the other times. The only thing left was to make sure Todd saw it. And then I spotted him in the crowd. Perfect. Gorgeous. And right on time. A few moments later, my name was called. “Ladies and Gentlemen, the winner of this science decathlon, and the new record-holder for a score untouched for one hundred and fifteen years, is Rory Davis of Daisyland South!” The hall erupted. I heard Rosalie’s scream a second before she crashed into me on the stage, smothering my face in kisses. “Bunny! Oh, my brilliant Bunny! Mum would be so happy! I am so proud of you!” she cried, squeezing me tight. I hugged her back tightly as I shut my eyes so that the tears would not fall. I could feel the memories flooding back to me. It was a good thing that I had a very remarkable memory of my mother, because she passed away before I could make enough. But n

(RORY’S POV) My fist knocked on the door, the sound was firm and decisive against the quiet of the evening in the large compound. I stepped back, wringing my hands clasped together as I waited. My fear of driving was gone and now replaced by the dread of this confrontation. This was the closest house, but it was also the last one I wanted to visit. Chad Anderson’s. Every instinct in my body had screamed at me to go to Todd’s first, it was the natural thing to do, but I knew his parents. They would be in the middle of a major lecture, and the fact that he wasn’t answering his phone was a sure sign he was trapped in it. Whether it was guilt or caution that guided me, I found myself at Chad’s door, needing to know what he had done. Todd would never throw away a game, not for anything. Chad had to have done something unforgivable. The door swung open to reveal a butler with a bored expression. “Good evening. How may I help you?” he intoned, his voice as flat as he looked. “Good even

(THIRD PERSON POV) Rory should have pulled over to collect herself, but she couldn't stop. Or rather, she didn't want to. She just wanted to get home, to sink into her bed and cry her eyes out. So, even though her hands were shaky and her breathing was inconsistent, she kept driving, not stopping until she was parked in her own front yard. She sighed deeply and rested her head against the steering wheel. The dam broke then, and she started sobbing. She was only seconds in when she heard a frantic tapping on her window. It was Rosalie. The moment Rory opened the door, she realized why her sister was outside. “Did someone die? What on earth is going on?” Rosalie asked, wide-eyed, walking around the car. “I thought you swore never to drive. You said you—” She had rounded the car back to Rory, and that was when she seemed to notice the expression on her sister’s face. She moved forward hastily, her eyes searching Rory’s. “What’s wrong, Bun?” she asked, panic edging her voice. Rory o