Chapter 1: Confessions, Time Travelers, and Love Letters

When I handed off a love letter for the third time—on behalf of a girl who claimed she’d fallen through time and landed in our world—Carter finally snapped. Yeah, third time’s the charm, right?

He looked like he was about to blow a fuse, tapping his pencil against the edge of his desk so hard the thuds echoed through the quiet hallway. He rolled his eyes, jaw clenched, and for a second, I honestly thought he’d just crumple the note and chuck it at my head. The tension between us was so thick, I could practically see it shimmering in the air.

I tried to play it cool: “Come on, it’s fate—you can’t fight destiny.”

I gave him my best wise-old-sage nod, even though my heart was pounding out of my chest. Tried to sound like I was quoting a fortune cookie or something, but Carter just rolled his eyes again, the corner of his mouth twitching like he was holding back a sarcastic comment—or maybe a thousand.

He let out this loud, frustrated sigh and muttered, “Seriously?” under his breath. Then, staring straight at me, he said, “Seriously, you really don’t see who I like?”

His voice dropped, all rough and raw, and he was giving me this look like I was the densest person alive. The way he said it, it was almost a dare. Like, go on, Savannah, connect the dots.

I just stared at him. Was he serious? My mouth hung open, brain completely blank. What was I supposed to say to that? It was like my internal Wi-Fi just went down. Cue the sitcom laugh track, please.

I let out an internal groan. Male lead, please wake up. I’m just the mean girl side character! Ugh. I could practically hear the universe facepalming right along with me. This was not the plan. I was supposed to be the backup dancer, not the one in the spotlight. I never asked for center stage.

A week ago, Marisol Vega from the homeroom next door told me she was a dimension-hopper.

She dropped it on me like she was asking for a pencil. I remember her twirling her hair, all jittery energy, but her eyes were dead serious. The fluorescent lights overhead flickered, making the whole thing feel even more surreal.

I counted on my fingers—she was already the fourth one this month. Resting my head on my hand, I sighed and tried to sound bored: “Guess we’re a magnet for time travelers lately.”

But honestly, I was kind of curious. What was it about our tiny high school that drew in every oddball from the multiverse? Maybe there was something in the water. Or maybe I just had one of those faces—‘tell me your weirdest secret, I dare you.’

Marisol just shrugged. “I dunno, maybe the story’s ending sucked and everyone complained.”

She said it like she was talking about the weather. But her eyes darted around, like she was checking for hidden cameras. That little flicker of paranoia caught my attention.

I wanted to press for more, but Marisol clammed up. Not until just now, when she showed up again, looking like she was about to do something drastic.

She cornered me by the lockers, shoulder pressed against the metal, eyes locked on mine. My stomach dropped. Here we go. I braced myself for whatever was coming.

She looked like she’d made up her mind, lips pressed together, determination blazing in her eyes. She glanced over her shoulder—paranoid, but serious.

“Savannah Reed, help me deliver a love letter to Carter Hayes.”

She shoved the note at me like it was about to explode. I almost laughed, but the look on her face told me she wasn’t joking.

“In exchange, I’ll tell you how the story really ends. Deal?”

She dangled the note in front of me, all business, desperation flickering in her eyes. Like she’d been working up to this for days.

I blinked. “Why me?”

I squinted at her, suspicious. Out of everyone in school, why pick me? It’s not like I had a reputation for being a matchmaker.

She blurted it out like it was the most obvious thing in the world: “Because you’re the eldest daughter of the Whitaker family—the infamous mean girl side character, Savannah Whitaker!”

“Wait, what?” I nearly spit out the water I was drinking. “Me? The mean girl?”

I coughed so hard my eyes watered. The words sounded so ridiculous coming from her mouth, I had to double-check she wasn’t messing with me.

But Marisol was lost in her own world, rambling on. I rolled my eyes—of course she was. “I know you and the main guy, Carter Hayes, live together and have a special connection.”

She said it like she was reading from some fan wiki. My cheeks burned. I wanted to protest, but the way she said it made me pause. Was it really that obvious?

I wanted to argue, but, honestly, she wasn’t exactly wrong. I shrugged, trying to play it cool. Maybe we did have history. Maybe everyone saw it but me.

“You used to boss him around when you were kids.”

Look, I never bullied Carter, okay? But he was adorable as a kid, like a little cherub. So, yeah, I did make him wear princess costumes a few times. Does that count?

I grinned at the memory—Carter, all big eyes and pigtails, stomping around in a sparkly tutu. He never complained, just followed me around like a loyal puppy. I guess, in hindsight, that was a little bossy. But he always seemed happy to play along.

“You don’t talk to him at school.”

That’s not fair! Caleb’s the one who keeps a poker face. He’s the one who doesn’t want to be seen with me!

I huffed, arms crossed. If anyone was giving the cold shoulder, it was Carter. He could win gold in the silent treatment Olympics.

“And in the future, when the main girl shows up…”

Marisol trailed off, getting all mysterious, eyes darting away like she was about to drop a bombshell but thought better of it. The suspense was killing me.

I scratched my head, nervous. “And then what? What happens next?”

I leaned in, voice dropping like we were plotting a heist. I couldn’t help it—my curiosity was officially piqued.

She waved the love letter. “Want to know?”

She wiggled her eyebrows, dangling the secret like bait. The note crinkled in her hand, and I snatched it before I could change my mind. How hard could it be, right?

I grabbed it. “It’s just a note. I’ll deliver it right now!”

I squared my shoulders, determined. If this was what it took to get answers, so be it. Marching off like I’d just signed up for a reality show challenge.

During break, Carter was lying on his desk, sleeping. Sunlight striped the desks. His face was half in shadow, away from the sun—long lashes, sharp nose, soft lips. He looked like he’d stepped right out of a teen drama. Unfair.

The classroom was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. He looked so peaceful, I almost felt bad for what I was about to do. Almost. Honestly, at this point, would it even be that weird if he sprouted wings or something?

I clutched the note and walked over. Up close, I noticed the faint blue veins under his pale skin. Damn, he was hot.

My heart did a little skip. Who looks that good napping? It was honestly criminal. I took a deep breath, steadying myself.

“Carter,” I called.

My voice came out softer than I meant. He stirred, brows knitting together before he opened his eyes, blinking up at me like he was still half-dreaming.

He lifted his head, confusion flickering to shock, then settling into his usual cool. This was the first time I’d spoken to him at school. You know, the kind of quiet that makes you feel like even breathing too loud is a crime.