Chapter 4: Stormy Goodbyes and Midnight Danger

Breakups always happen on rainy days. It’s just a rule.

Evening. In front of the library, rain pours down, soaking everything.

“I’m sorry, I really don’t like you. Don’t come looking for me again.”

I tell myself if I’m tough enough, I can break out of this plot. I can do it.

Nathan leans against the wall, shaking his head. His eyes are cloudy, impossible to read. He’s just a silhouette in the rain, looking so alone it hurts.

“What do you even like about me? I won’t change, okay?” I bite my lip, trying to stay cool.

He doesn’t answer, just steps closer, gaze heavy enough to crush me.

I… panic and run. Rain drenches me, cold and sharp, snapping me back to reality.

Suddenly, an umbrella appears. Nathan’s there, half-soaked, eyes shining with rain and something deeper. He stands in the storm like a stray, waiting for someone to take him home.

“No matter how long it takes—even a lifetime—I’ll wait for you.” His voice is rough, but every word lands like a punch.

I freeze. His eyes catch mine, and I’m gone.

Somehow, I nod. Then—he kisses me. Out of nowhere. And this time, it’s different. It’s the kind of kiss that makes the world tilt, that steals every excuse you had for resisting.

In the grown-up world, crushes don’t last forever. They have an expiration date—trust me.

So I try to play it cool. This little heart-throb? It’ll pass. Right?

But the plot says the tenth day of being Nathan’s girlfriend is a turning point. The original Autumn would mark her territory by tricking Sierra into the hill behind campus, hiring thugs to scare her away.

I haven’t done any of that, but I can’t shake this sense of doom. All morning, I’m jumpy, waiting for disaster.

“Heard Sierra and Carter are moving fast. Someone saw them at the hospital together yesterday.” My seatmate is in full gossip mode, eyebrows waggling.

My stomach knots. Did I mess things up so badly her heart condition flared up?

“What happened to her?”

My seatmate gives me a look. “Maybe she’s pregnant.”

I choke. Seriously, kids these days!

Still, I can’t stop worrying. Nathan cares about Sierra—always has. She was his light, his anchor, when everything else fell apart. Sierra’s a ticking time bomb, and I have to check on her.

At night, the hill behind campus is a no-go zone—creepy, full of ghost stories. Even couples avoid it. Only Sierra and Nathan used to sneak through there after work, climbing the wall to get back to school. Since Nathan started dating me, he walks me through the front gate instead.

Wind howls. I shiver, remembering how the original Autumn got left in a graveyard for revenge. Not happening to me.

Tonight, I’m sticking with Sierra, making sure she’s safe. Maybe even lend her some cash for treatment.

In the dark, Sierra’s frail figure appears. I scan the shadows—no one lurking. I relax, a little.

“Sierra, can we talk?” I try to sound gentle.

But she looks at me like I’m a ghost, pointing and trembling.

“I won’t hurt you. I really want to help,” I say, hands up.

All I get is a scream. Her face goes white.

What the—?

I turn. Seven or eight thugs are behind me, all local troublemakers.

In the book, the original paid them to scare Sierra. But I didn’t do that! They’re here for me?

“Isn’t this our little rich princess? Heard your family’s loaded!” the leader sneers, eyes greedy.

Oh, crap—they’re after me!

“Run!” I grab Sierra’s hand and bolt. But she’s not in shape and quickly runs out of breath.

“I can’t… You go ahead,” she gasps, pale and shaking.

“No way. We leave together.” I’m not letting her go down for this.

If I ditch her, I’ll be the villain again. No thanks.

“Go!” I throw her on my back and run. Her big eyes are huge, and suddenly she’s sobbing.

Warm tears slide down my neck, burning a little.

“Thank you. No one’s ever been this good to me.” Sierra clings to me, voice shaking.

Wait… This isn’t in the script, is it?

Thud! I trip, smacking my forehead on a rock. Something warm trickles down my face.

“You’re hurt!” Sierra sobs harder.

“I’m fine, just keep running!”

With the Caldwell name, they probably won’t hurt me. But if Sierra’s heart gives out, it’s game over.

She looks at me—shocked, grateful, crying. Tears everywhere.

“Two beauties—lucky night, boys.”

Danger closes in, suffocating.

“Go! Call the cops!” I shove Sierra away, grab a handful of dirt, and fling it at the thugs.

They’re pissed, charging me, fists flying. It’s chaos.

“Stop! Please, stop!” Sierra, sobbing, actually runs back, begging them to stop.

In my blurry vision, someone throws themselves in front of me. I catch a glimpse of Nathan’s stormy eyes before I black out.

Ugh, I must be shallow. Even now, I’m thinking about him.

“Autumn! Don’t be scared, I’m here!”

His voice is clear, familiar, and for a second, I’m safe.

Everything fades to black.

My head throbs…