Chapter 6: Sunflowers and Second Chances

The week after I broke up with him, Julian called every day to share what he’d done. He tried to sound normal, but the caution in his voice was obvious. Someone as amazing as him should never have to act like this. Silly, awkward, and sincere. It only made me miss him more.

My fingers turned white from gripping my phone. I called his name: “Julian.”

His voice trembled: “Yeah?”

“Don’t call me anymore.”

There was a long silence. Finally, Julian replied, “Okay.”

After that, my world was silent—no more Julian. It was painfully quiet. The silence was so heavy, it felt like a thick blanket I couldn’t kick off.

I went back to my old life. I stopped going to bars, turned down every guy who approached me. Like I was a teenager again, alone. At night, I’d wake up with my pillow soaked in tears.

My best friend came over, furious: “You broke up with him, and now you can’t move on? Autumn, are you trying to kill me?”

Then she hugged me and cried. “This isn’t a real illness. Don’t be scared. People who love you don’t care about that.”

Her words shook me, but I didn’t have the courage to look for Julian again.

A month later, my life finally looked calm on the surface. Everyone thought I was fine. Carter & Co.’s business kept booming. Dad was always traveling abroad, and my stepmom went with him. Only my stepsister Casey was left at home.

One night, Dad called. It rang several times before I picked up. “What?”

He chuckled. “Our Annie’s still up?”

I cut him off. “Just tell me.”

He hesitated, then said, “Annie, tomorrow is Casey’s parent-teacher conference. She didn’t tell us because she knew we were both abroad. Her teacher called and asked if someone could go. Could you go as her big sister?”

I raised an eyebrow. “So?”

Dad sounded embarrassed. “Come on, go for her! Casey’s grades are great—you’ll be proud. She’s a junior now, it’s an important year…”

He kept talking, but I rubbed my forehead and hung up. No way was I going. But the next morning, I woke up early—unusual for me—and dressed in my coolest outfit. Before I knew it, I was driving to Casey’s school. Whatever, I had nothing else to do.

Maple Heights High, my old school—Casey went there too. Back then, I was always last in the class, while she was always first. I used to joke that my claim to fame was being her opposite.

As soon as I got to her floor, I saw her being bullied by a group of girls at the stairs.

“Well, class president, not setting a good example, huh? Big day like parent-teacher conference and your parents don’t even show?”

Their words were full of malice, but Casey just kept explaining, “They’re just busy.”

The leader sneered, “Busy or just don’t care? I heard you’re a stepdaughter in a rich family—bet you’re not valued at all. Always dressed so nice, but I bet life’s tough at home, huh?”

Someone chimed in, “Yeah, why else work so hard? Must have no other options. Heard she has a stepsister who went here too—never heard her mention her.”

Casey was too soft to fight back, her face red with frustration. “That’s not true. My family treats me well. My sister is amazing—she’s the prettiest person I know.”

The girls just laughed harder. “Getting mad, huh? We’ve always hated how you treat the class rules like law—because of you, we all suffer. No wonder your parents don’t care.”

Casey was only 5’1”, so she had to crane her neck to argue. Could I let this slide? No way—only I get to mess with my sister. I cracked my knuckles for effect.

I strolled over, hooked my arm around her neck, and gave the girls a cold look. “Honestly, I wouldn’t even spit on you—you’re not worth it. Who do you think you are?”

Their faces darkened, but seeing I wasn’t someone to mess with, they didn’t dare fight back. “Who are you? Mind your own business!”

“I’m Casey’s so-called stepsister—my name’s Autumn Carter. I’ve got a temper, so watch your mouths. If you bully Casey again, I’ll show up at school every time.”

They were stunned. “Autumn Carter? You’re Autumn Carter? Casey’s stepsister is Autumn Carter?!”

They all seemed to know me, turning pale, probably regretting picking a fight. I’d forgotten how notorious I was at Maple Heights High—back then, I was the principal’s biggest headache. I almost laughed at the memory.

I walked off with my arm around Casey. She looked up at me, eyes shining. “Did you come for my parent-teacher conference?”

I stopped and looked down at her. “Why didn’t you tell them I’m your sister?” I thought my reputation would make things easier for her.

Casey lowered her head. “I didn’t want to embarrass you.”

I was stunned. She was so obedient and never caused trouble—turns out she was just that considerate. I patted her head. “You’ve never embarrassed me.”

Her eyes sparkled with admiration. “You’re so good to me. You’re famous here—people still talk about that time you gave a speech in front of the whole school. You were so cool!”

I asked, “Am I really that great in your eyes?” I always thought I was a mess.

Casey answered without hesitation: “You shine. You’re dazzling.”

Me, shining? That actually got to me. I thought I was hopeless.

Casey walked beside me, counting my good points on her fingers. I couldn’t help but ask, “Do you have a crush on anyone?” At seventeen or eighteen, love should be beautiful.

She shook her head. “I don’t think anyone would like me.”

Her expression mirrored my own insecurity. I saw myself in her. “If—just if—you met someone really great, who treated you well and you liked him, would you stick with him no matter what?”

Casey looked at me, her eyes clear as if she could see right through me. Her voice was gentle: “We’re just ordinary people, so we have to allow ourselves to waver, and to not be perfect. When a sunflower grows toward the sun, it never thinks it won’t catch up. Life is too short. Meeting the right person is rare. It’s easy to miss out, but it’s so hard to meet again. Someone who loves you will think even your flaws shine.”

I stared at her, the wind lifting my hair. Suddenly, I smiled. “Casey, you’re more insightful than I am. Thank you.”

Her serious face turned red. Clearly happy, she twisted her fingers shyly. “Why are you thanking me? I didn’t do anything.”

The thing that had troubled me for so long suddenly didn’t seem so complicated. I’d always assumed the worst without knowing the full picture, but I was so wrong. Looking at Casey, I just smiled and said, “I just wanted to thank you.”

She was about to say something when she suddenly hid behind me, flustered. A group of tall boys walked by. One asked, “Jace, you’re not really into that girl, are you?”

The tallest, most striking guy in the middle stayed silent. His friend gawked. “No way, Jace, you really like her? You’ve barely talked!”

The guy stuck his hand in his pocket, tall and rebellious in his letterman jacket—classic high school heartthrob. As he passed us, he glanced at me, then smirked.

He drawled, “Can’t help it. The first time I saw her, I already had matching profile pics picked out.”

His friends groaned. “Jace, you’re such a hopeless romantic.”

Casey shrank back until they turned the corner, then breathed a sigh of relief.

I asked casually, “Who were you hiding from?”

She jumped. “A boy. He’s notorious at our school.”

I grinned. “Why are you hiding from him?”

She fidgeted. “Because he’s weird. We don’t know each other, but every morning he skips exercises to fill my water bottle. Once I caught him, and he ran away. I was scared, but then I realized—he must’ve used my cup and was afraid I’d notice, so he filled it up. After that, he always looked like he wanted to say something but didn’t. I just avoid him.”

I gave her a thumbs up. “You’re amazing—totally allergic to romance.”

Casey took me to her classroom. I told her she could go home, but she waited for me after the conference. I had to admit, being at Casey’s parent-teacher conference was a real ego boost. As top of the grade, her teacher absolutely showered me with praise. Each time, I’d modestly wave it off: “Oh, she just loves to study. She locks herself in her room every day—we never have to nag her.” Honestly, I felt like I was getting all the credit for just showing up.

After the meeting, I was surprised to find Casey still waiting for me. I took her out to eat—a simple meal, but she was over the moon. After driving her home, it was already dark. I figured I’d find Julian tomorrow, giving myself a night to plan. This time, it was my turn to chase him! I tried to psych myself up, but my stomach was full of butterflies.

Thinking that, I headed to my apartment. As I reached the building, I stopped. Under the tree, I saw a figure I knew all too well—the one I’d missed so much.

He sat quietly by the flowerbed, looking up at my window, which was still dark. I called out, my voice trembling with tears: “Julian.”

He stiffened, then stood up. “Sorry, I was just out for a walk and ended up here.”

As he walked past me, he tried to act nonchalant. “Go on home. I’m leaving.”

I wanted to stop him, but my hand wouldn’t move. Julian took a few steps, then suddenly turned back, like he’d been holding back for ages, and muttered, “Childish brat.” He sounded more fond than annoyed, and I almost laughed through my tears.

I looked up at him, tears spilling over.

Julian looked away, his voice hoarse: “Sorry, I couldn’t figure out how to solve this, but I missed you so much. Please, stop being mad at me, okay? I’ve been miserable these days. I was afraid you were feeling the same, and I don’t want that for you. Autumn, I can’t give up on you. Maybe we can figure this out together. There’s always a way. But when you left me, I couldn’t even think straight. I couldn’t think of anything.”

I asked softly, “You don’t smoke or drink—how did you get through this?”

Julian didn’t expect that. For a moment, his voice was aggrieved: “I analyzed stock data from every industry, but I still missed you. You wouldn’t let me call.”

My lips quivered as I hugged him, crying harder. “I’m sorry, I was too stubborn. I missed you so much. I’m sorry, I was too proud. I was going to find you tonight, but I chickened out.”

I sobbed, and Julian gently wiped my tears. “Sorry I made you feel so bad. Can you forgive me? Julian, I want to get back together.”

Julian hesitated, then hugged me back, his big hands trembling, warm and shaky against my back. “Are you serious?”

I nodded. “Very serious.”

Finally, he hugged me tight, relief on his face, burying his head in my neck. His voice was muffled: “Call me babe, let’s start over.”

“But you’re two years younger—how could I call you that? It’s embarrassing.”

Julian hugged me tighter, sounding so aggrieved: “Autumn, just once.”

The night wind fluttered our clothes, and my heart melted. “Babe.”