Chapter 2: Breaking Chains, Burning Bridges

When I opened my eyes again, I was back at eighteen, with 136 days left until the SATs.

Sunlight spilled through my window, painting stripes across my comforter. My heart hammered. Was it real? Was I really back?

A bright, energetic Ethan Wallace stood outside my window, calling for me to get up or we’d be late for school.

He was grinning, tapping on the glass with that familiar boyish energy. The sound was so normal, so painfully ordinary, it almost made me laugh.

Seeing me sitting on the bed, staring at him in a daze, Ethan knocked on the glass a few more times. “Savannah, I know I’m good-looking, but now’s not the time to be lovestruck.”

He flashed a cocky smile, the kind that used to make my stomach flip. Now, it just made my skin crawl.

Ethan wasn’t just handsome. He was sunny, charming, always smiling. Since we were kids, the line of girls who liked him could fill the whole block.

He was the golden boy of our town. The kind of kid everyone expected to go far, even if his grades didn’t always back it up. I used to count myself lucky that he chose me.

But Ethan only had eyes for me, and I only had eyes for him.

At least, that’s what I used to believe. It was a fairy tale, one I’d outgrown the hard way.

But now, looking at that face, all I felt was disgust.

The memories came flooding back, sharp as glass. I couldn’t stand the sight of him. Not anymore. Every smile, every gesture, felt like a lie.

I rushed over and yanked the curtains shut. Not long after, I left the house with my backpack.

I didn’t bother with breakfast. My hands shook as I stuffed my books into my bag, the air heavy with old dreams and new resolve. I walked out without a backward glance.

Ethan reached out to help me with my bag, but I dodged him. Under his confused gaze, I couldn’t help myself—I slapped him hard across the face. “Stay the hell away from me.”

The sound echoed in the morning air, sharp and final. His hand flew to his cheek, eyes wide with shock. I didn’t wait for a reaction—I just kept walking, heart pounding.

My parents stared in shock, then rushed over, demanding to know what was going on—was I sick? Had a fever fried my brain?

They hovered, worried and bewildered. I could see the fear in their eyes—they’d never seen me like this. I felt bad, but I couldn’t let them pull me back into the past.

I glared at Ethan, unable to hide my hatred. “Get lost. Don’t ever come to my house again.”

My voice shook, but the anger was real. I meant every word. I hoped he felt it, deep down.

Ethan was stunned, frozen in place, and finally my dad escorted him out of the yard.

Dad put a firm hand on Ethan’s shoulder, steering him away with quiet authority. I caught a glimpse of Ethan’s face—confused, hurt, but mostly just lost.

I don’t know what my dad said to him, but as he left, Ethan managed a forced smile. “Savannah, see you at school.”

His voice was tight, his smile brittle. I almost felt sorry for him. Almost. But not quite.

My parents insisted on taking me to the doctor. I hugged them, holding back tears. “Mom, Dad, I’m fine. I just don’t want anyone messing with my studies.”

I held them tight, breathing in the scent of home. I wanted to protect them from everything, even if it meant lying through my teeth.

In my previous life—

It all played out in my mind like a bad movie. I remembered every misstep, every compromise I made for Ethan. This time, I swore, things would be different.

Before high school, I was always in the top ten. Ethan? His grades were average.

I was the bookworm, the one teachers counted on. Ethan was the class clown, smart but lazy. Everyone thought we balanced each other out.

I got into the honors class at Maple Heights High on my own merit. Ethan missed the cut by over a hundred points, but his family paid to get him into the regular class.

It was an open secret. Money could smooth over a lot of things in our small town. I didn’t think much of it then. Now, it made my skin crawl.

At eighteen, I fell in love with Ethan. Spent most of my study time on dates with him.

We’d sneak off to the movies, hang out at the lake, or just drive around town. I thought I was living the dream. Instead, I was throwing away my future, one skipped study session at a time.

I barely made it into a lower-ranked college, while Ethan could only go to a community college.

My parents tried to hide their disappointment, but I saw it in their eyes. All those years of hard work, wasted on puppy love.

Our state’s insanely competitive for college, but the economy’s not great. There aren’t many good universities, even if you stay in-state.

The pressure was real. Everyone talked about getting out, making something of yourself. But the options were slim, and the competition was fierce.

A cousin in Chicago said some lower-ranked schools there are better than mid-tier ones back home. If I was willing, he could pull some strings.

I lay awake that night, weighing my options. Chicago was a world away, but maybe that was what I needed—a fresh start.

I thought it over for a night and decided to apply to a less selective school in Chicago.

I imagined city lights, new faces, and a chance to rewrite my story. I felt hope for the first time in ages.

But when Ethan said he didn’t want to be too far from me, I caved. Ended up choosing a less selective school in-state, just so we could stay in the same city.

He pouted, said he’d miss me too much. I folded, like I always did. I thought love was supposed to mean sacrifice. I didn’t realize I was sacrificing myself.

One wrong step led to another, and another.

That’s how it goes—one small choice, and suddenly you’re miles off course. I learned that the hard way.

Given a second chance, how could I make the same mistake? “Mom, Dad, I want to get into a top university.”

I said it with every ounce of conviction I had. Their faces lit up, hope flickering in their eyes. I wouldn’t let them down again.

When I got to school, Ethan was already waiting outside the classroom with breakfast.

He stood there, holding a greasy paper bag, grinning like nothing had happened. The smell of sausage biscuits and hash browns hit me, but I kept my distance.

Because of our relationship, I transferred out of honors. Ended up in the regular class, right next to his.

I remembered the day I made that choice. I thought being close to him mattered more than anything. Now, it just felt like a prison.

Ethan seemed to have forgotten the unpleasantness from this morning, smiling brightly as he lifted the breakfast. “Your favorite sausage biscuits and hash browns.”

He tried to win me over with food, like always. I almost laughed at how little he understood.

I glared at him coldly, murderous thoughts flashing through my mind. But I couldn’t let him ruin my life again.

I felt the anger simmering just below the surface. I clenched my fists, fighting the urge to scream.

“Didn’t that slap this morning wake you up? Ethan Wallace, I’ll say it again: get lost. Stay as far away from me as you can.”

My voice was low, dangerous. I meant every word, and I hoped it cut him deep.

His smile vanished, confusion and sadness filling his eyes.

He looked like a kicked puppy. I didn’t care. Not anymore.

This kind of thing would have been unthinkable before. But now, the more upset he was, the happier I felt.

It was a strange kind of freedom—finally putting myself first.

Back in the classroom, a lot of classmates looked at me, whispering among themselves.

The gossip started before I even sat down. I could feel their eyes on me, their whispers like static in the air.

I didn’t care what they thought of me and Ethan. I couldn’t afford any distractions from catching up on my classes.

Let them talk. I had bigger things to worry about.

During lunch, my friend found me. “Savannah, did you and Ethan have a fight?”

It was Autumn Brooks.

She showed up with her usual shy smile, acting like nothing had changed. For a second, I almost forgot what she’d become.

I’d almost forgotten—my family and Ethan’s lived on Cedar Lane, and Autumn’s family was on Willow Street. In high school, Autumn and Ethan were classmates, and in middle school, she and I were classmates.

It was a small town. Everyone’s lives overlapped, like threads in a patchwork quilt.

So, she was a mutual friend.

We’d spent summers riding bikes, sharing secrets. I never thought she’d be the one to betray me.

Back then, Autumn was a bit chubby, honest, with no major strengths or flaws—just an ordinary high school girl.

She blended in. Never drew much attention. I thought she was harmless.

But seven years later, she was like a model out of a fashion magazine—confident, sharp, beautiful, and sophisticated.

She’d changed so much, it was almost hard to recognize her. But the coldness in her eyes was new.

Her arrival instantly caught Ethan’s attention.

He barely glanced at me anymore. All his smiles, all his charm—suddenly, it was all for her.

In just half a year, she sent me straight to hell.

She played the long game, worming her way into our lives until there was no room for me.

I forced down my hatred and anger, giving her a fake smile. “Autumn, please stay away from me from now on. You and Ethan both make me sick.”

I could see the shock in her eyes, the way her mask slipped for just a second. She hadn’t expected me to fight back. Not this time.

Autumn froze, then her eyes reddened and she ran off, looking hurt.

She played the victim perfectly, tears glistening as she hurried away. I almost admired her performance.

Everyone thought I was crazy, but right now, I was clearer-headed than ever.

Let them think what they want. I had a plan now, and nothing would shake me.

After study hall, Ethan and Autumn waited outside the classroom, saying they wanted to talk to me alone. They couldn’t believe that the two of us, once so close, could become enemies overnight.

They looked so earnest, so confused, like I was the one who’d changed overnight. Maybe I had. Maybe that was the point.

“Do I really have to curse you both out in front of the whole school for you to get the message?”

My voice carried, sharp as a whip. Heads turned, whispers spreading. I didn’t care.

Ethan, angry, threw his backpack on the ground and kicked it a few times before storming off. Autumn picked up the bag, gave me a tearful look, and hurried after him.

He stomped away, muttering under his breath. Autumn trailed behind, clutching his bag like a lifeline. I watched them go, feeling lighter than I had in years.

See? They’re already upset. Miserable. Good.

It was a small victory, but it tasted sweet.

But what about me, back then? They destroyed me, and I never even got to clear my name.

I’d been the villain in their story, the one left behind to pick up the pieces.