Chapter 3: The Heroine Breaks the Rules

During English class, the homeroom teacher introduced a new transfer student with a smile. “Hello, everyone. My name is Autumn Monroe. I hope we can all get along.”

She looked like a doll, seriously. Bright eyes, perfect teeth, porcelain skin—like she’d just stepped out of a magazine. She looked around confidently, making several boys blush and fix their hair. The whole class just melted.

When Autumn spotted Carter, her gaze lingered, her expression complicated. Drama incoming.

Nick was in control now, and I was happily watching the drama unfold. “Oh boy, did the heroine fall for the main guy at first sight?”

Nick glanced up, then went back to his practice problems. He said coolly, “Stop watching. How do you solve this one?”

Me: “......” So self-disciplined. I was a little ashamed. I mean, who studies during a rom-com scene?

Just then, the class fell silent. Autumn walked straight over and smiled brightly at Nick. “Hi, can I sit next to you?”

Everyone was used to him hogging two desks. No one expected someone to ask to sit with him. No joke, you could hear a pin drop.

I was stunned: “What’s going on? Wasn’t she supposed to sit behind Carter?”

Nick looked at her, expression cold. “I’m used to sitting alone.”

She froze, totally thrown. Will snorted loudly, “You think this is your house?”

The homeroom teacher coughed awkwardly. To be fair, Nick’s family had donated several buildings to the school.

Autumn recovered, forcing a smile. “It’s fine, I’ll sit somewhere else.” She picked a seat diagonally across from Nick—not too close, not too far. Smart move.

The episode passed, and class continued. But something felt off. Throughout the lesson, she glanced at Nick at least five times, her eyes full of complicated emotions—sadness, relief, something else I couldn’t name. The tension was real.

He was seriously creeped out.

Nick grumbled, “Didn’t you say she likes Carter?”

Me: “Uh, that’s what the book said, but what if...” Could Autumn have been reborn?

Maybe she realized Nick was her true match, and now Carter’s stuck chasing her while Nick rises up.

Nick was silent for a long time after hearing my theory. “I don’t get it, but I’m pretty shocked.”

Suddenly, I panicked. Felt totally out of control. If Autumn really fell for Nick, would I disappear?

After school, a torrential rain started—this was the first key plot point in the book where Nick falls for Autumn.

At the school entrance, Autumn called out to him. “Nick, did you forget your umbrella? Let’s go home together!” She pulled out an umbrella, eyes shining with confidence.

Nick replied coolly, “Sorry, I brought mine.” He pulled a black umbrella from his bag and walked off. I’d packed that umbrella before we left.

Autumn stared at his back in disbelief. Rain pounded on the umbrella, cars rushed by. Nick and I walked in silence for a long time.

Finally, he stopped. “You...don’t want me to like Autumn, do you?”

I panicked for a second, remembering he could read my thoughts. I decided to just be honest. “If we can’t change the plot and you fall for her, I’ll probably disappear.”

I just knew—if they got together, I’d disappear.

“No way!” His voice was suddenly tense. “I won’t let you disappear!”

I was stunned, mind blanking out. Nick, flustered, quickly added, “I mean, high schoolers are supposed to study, not date. Don’t get the wrong idea!”

That relaxed me. The complicated feelings faded away. I said cheerfully, “Alright, then let’s aim for Stanford.”

Nick: “......”