Chapter 5: The Villain’s Choice

Back home, I sat at my desk, textbooks open but mind blank. I couldn’t focus—Derek’s tear-streaked face haunted me.

Ever since we met, he’d followed me around like a loyal puppy, always looking out for me. I could be stubborn, but he was endlessly patient. Derek was the whole package—six-one, broad shoulders, lean muscle. I’d pictured us together for years: him in an apron, shirtless, flipping pancakes for me after work.

But now… all I could do was back off and be his friend. I couldn’t risk my future. Stanford was everything. I wouldn’t let fate—or some crazy plot device—wreck my life. And I couldn’t put my parents through losing their only kid.

I tried to convince myself: college would be full of cute, smart guys. If Derek was meant to be with Aubrey, fine. At least everyone would be happy.

I stared out the window, watching squirrels play on the fence. Leaves skittered across the driveway. My mom’s voice floated up: “Pancakes for dinner!” The smell of maple syrup drifted in, grounding me in something normal, safe.

Suddenly, the comments hit again:

[The author’s really milking the feels. Glad the guy’s still pure!]

[He finally noticed something was off—props to the side girl for helping.]

[OMG, he just asked the main girl out!]

[He’s scrubbing himself raw in the shower. Gotta smell good for the big date!]

[Brace yourselves, the iconic scene’s coming.]

My pen dropped onto my test. Getting together with Derek, then breaking up—it felt like my choice, but also like I was being moved around by someone else’s plot. Every step just pushed the main couple closer together.

Cold sweat prickled down my back. I was trapped, helpless against the script.

I almost called Derek. But then I wondered if even that was part of the plot. If I ruined the main couple’s date, would that just make me the villain?

Instead, I called my homeroom teacher and asked for a seat change. My good grades helped. She agreed.

I set my alarm early, determined to start over. I wrote a to-do list—anything to feel in control. Maybe if I just kept my head down, I could outrun the story.