Chapter 4: Birthday Wishes and First Kisses

In the chaos, police sirens blared at the alley’s entrance. Jamie had called 911. The officers cuffed the troublemakers fast and asked, “Who wants to give a statement?”

I didn’t want to stick around for the post-rescue flirting. I felt so out of place, I just wanted to disappear.

I’d already put my game face back on. “I’ll do it.”

But then someone tugged at my sleeve, stopping me.

“Don’t… don’t go.”

I turned, and saw Carter’s right hand was bleeding. He used it to steady himself, his clean left hand still holding my fingertips.

“Savannah, don’t go. Don’t leave me again.”

In the end, Jamie went with the police to give her statement. The alley emptied out, just me and Carter left behind.

I squatted down beside him and muttered, “Carter, how’d you end up here?”

He didn’t answer, just buried his head in my shoulder and wrapped his arms around me, holding on tight.

I tried to push him off, but he wouldn’t budge. His heart was pounding like crazy.

I figured he was just as freaked out as I was, so I reached out and patted his head, just like when we were little. His hair was so soft, I couldn’t help but ruffle it a few extra times.

“Like a little puppy.”

Oops. Did I really say that out loud?

He looked up suddenly, eyes wide. “So do you like puppies?”

“Yeah,” I said, totally serious. “Puppies are adorable—all fluffy, and when you call them, they snuggle right up…”

Carter laughed, a real, honest laugh.

I blinked at him. “What? Did I say something weird?”

“No, you’re right.”

All the stuff I couldn’t figure out got shoved aside by Carter’s hug. I decided not to overthink it. Whatever.

I said softly, “Alright, let’s go home. I’ll help you with your hand.”

When I cleaned Carter’s cut, he didn’t even flinch. Meanwhile, I was so careful, I was scared to even touch him too hard.

“Does it hurt?”

“It’s fine.”

“But it must hurt.”

“Really, it’s okay.”

“Carter, don’t get into fights anymore. It’s not worth it.”

Carter looked like he wanted to argue, but when he saw my face, he just nodded. “Okay, I’ll listen to you.”

After bandaging him up, I remembered what Lauren said and decided to test Carter’s feelings about Jamie.

“Jamie must have been really scared today…”

“Yeah.” Carter just waited, like he knew I had more to say.

I paused on purpose, but he didn’t react. “You really don’t have any feelings for her?”

Carter looked genuinely confused. “Why are you asking about her all of a sudden?”

“Aren’t you lab partners?” I fiddled with a bandage, trying to sound casual. “Lab partners… you know, people say that’s how feelings start.”

He took the bandage from my hand, put it back in the first-aid kit, and replied calmly:

“Savannah, whatever you’re thinking, I only see her as a regular classmate.”

So Carter really didn’t have feelings for Jamie. Relief washed over me. I wasn’t sure if it was because Lauren’s tasks would go smoothly, or for some other reason I didn’t want to admit.

Then Carter said, “Isn’t it more likely for us, living under the same roof?”

I froze. “More likely for what?”

“To develop feelings.”

Without thinking, I blurted, “That’s different!”

He braced his hand on the wall beside me, leaning in. “How’s it different?”

Way too close—like, dangerously close. Just looking at him felt like something might happen.

I watched as Carter’s eyes darkened. His gaze dropped, following the line of my nose, his breath warm and uneven against my cheek.

“Savannah, I…”

I jumped up so fast I nearly tripped. “A—anyway, it’s different, we can’t!”

Right, I still had to help Lauren finish her tasks and keep Carter alive. No way could he fall for me!

While his feelings for me were barely starting, I needed to cut them off now.

I bit my lip and forced my voice cold. “Don’t ever do that again.”

Before leaving, I glanced back. Carter was still standing there, looking so lost and hurt it almost broke me.

I perched on the monkey bars, sipping chocolate milk, trading info with Lauren. After I told her what happened in the alley, she gasped, “Oh my god, that was so dangerous!”

I said, “Carter really doesn’t like Jamie like that, so you don’t have to worry about her anymore.”

But then Carter’s intense gaze from that day flashed through my mind… I shook my head, trying to clear it away.

Lauren asked, “By the way, Savannah, isn’t your birthday coming up?”

“It’s at the start of December. Why?”

“I still need your help. The next task—the system wants me and Carter to spend a night together.”

“That big of a deal!” I nearly choked on my milk.