Chapter 2

I didn't hear a single word in chemistry class that afternoon.

The entire school was buzzing about the scene in the cafeteria. My Instagram gained three hundred followers, and someone on Spark even made a dedicated post analyzing "How Elise Conquered Carter."

But there was only one question spinning in my mind:

How did he know?

After school, Carter was waiting for me at the school gate. He leaned against his dark blue Jeep, flashing me a warm smile the moment he saw me.

"Hey, my girlfriend." He walked over and took my hand.

My heart pounded wildly. That word from his lips felt sweet yet foreign, with a hint of unreality.

"Carter," I finally couldn't help but ask, "how... how did you know I wrote that confession?"

Carter smiled, a flicker of something unreadable crossing his eyes. "You really want to know?"

"Yes."

He took my hand and led me toward the parking lot. "Get in. I'll take you somewhere and tell you slowly."

He drove me to the beach. The setting sun painted the ocean gold, seagulls circling overhead.

We sat on the sand, the sea breeze tousling my hair.

"You know what?" Carter suddenly said, "I've been noticing you for a while."

"The photography club exhibition, last fall." His gaze was tender. "That photo you took, 'The Lonely Tree'—I stood in front of it for a full ten minutes."

That photo...

It was a bare tree I'd captured on the hill behind campus, its leafless branches reaching toward a gray sky, lonely yet defiant.

"I thought to myself," Carter continued, "a girl who can take a photo like that must have a beautiful soul."

He turned to face me, the sunset dancing in his blue eyes. "From then on, I started paying attention to you. You were always alone, always hiding behind your camera, always observing the world with such gentle eyes."

"So..." I asked carefully, "you figured out the confession was mine because you understood me?"

But that seemed too coincidental. There were so many girls at school who had crushes on him...

Carter smiled, his expression carrying a hint of mystery. "Not just figured out. The writing in that confession, that delicate emotion, that observer's perspective—only you could have written it, Elise."

He cupped my face. "Besides, 'lonely tree,' 'brightest star,' 'black and white world'... these images perfectly matched your photography style. I knew it was you the moment I read it."

So that's how...

My heartbeat gradually calmed. It wasn't Spark leaking my information—Carter knew me well enough to recognize me through my words.

Was this... a special kind of fate?

"But..." I bit my lip, "that confession was an accident. I didn't mean to post it, I was just..."

"I know." Carter interrupted, cupping my face. "But sometimes accidents are the best gifts. Without that confession, you might never have let me know how you felt."

Then he kissed me, in the afterglow of sunset, to the sound of waves, and my racing heartbeat.

Maybe he was right. Maybe this was destiny's arrangement.

The next week completely transformed my life.

Carter waited for me outside the dorm every morning, holding my hand as we walked across campus. Classmates who used to ignore me now greeted me actively. Even Madison would smile in the hallways, though her smile hid something I couldn't quite read.

Tuesday afternoon, he waited for me by the football field after class and kissed my forehead in front of everyone.

"You make me want to be a better person," he said.

Passing students looked at us enviously: "They're so perfect together!" "Elise is so lucky!"

Wednesday after school, Carter drove me to the beach to watch the sunset. The salty sea breeze messed up my hair as he pulled a small box from his backpack.

"Don't panic," he laughed, "it's not time for a proposal yet."

Inside was a delicate silver necklace with a small star pendant.

"You said I was your star," Carter fastened it around my neck himself, "but really, you've lit up my world. You deserve to be seen by everyone, Elise."

Tears blurred my vision. Was this really my life?

Thursday night, I was organizing photos in my dorm when my phone suddenly rang.

"Sweetheart!" Mom's voice was trembling with excitement. "I have major news to tell you!"

"What news?" I held the phone with my shoulder, continuing to edit.

"Remember how I've been working late lately?"

"Yeah, you said the hospital was busy."

I heard Mom take a deep breath on the other end. "Actually... I've been seeing someone. And sweetie, I'm getting married!"

I froze, the mouse dropping from my hand onto the desk.

"Really?! Mom!"

"Yes!" Mom's voice was choked with emotion. "He's wonderful, Elise. Good character, stable job, and most importantly, he truly loves me."

Since Dad left when I was eight, Mom had struggled alone for ten whole years. Hearing her this happy brought tears to my eyes.

"I'm so happy for you!"

"Come home for dinner tomorrow night—you'll get to meet him!" Mom said excitedly. "Oh, and he has a son your age who also goes to Seaside Cliff High. You'll definitely become great siblings!"

"My age? At Seaside Cliff High?" I was surprised.

"You'll find out tomorrow!" Mom laughed. "I'm sure he's a wonderful boy."

After hanging up, I gazed at the starry sky outside my window, heart full of anticipation.

Unexpected love, a complete family. Life was really becoming perfect.

The next day, Friday afternoon's last period, I stared absent-mindedly at the chemistry teacher writing formulas on the blackboard.

Tonight I'd finally meet Mom's new boyfriend and his son. I imagined a happy family of four, unconsciously smiling.

"What are you thinking about, smiling so happily?" After class, Carter wrapped his arm around my shoulder.

"My mom's getting married," I said excitedly. "Tonight I'm meeting my future stepfather and stepbrother!"

"That's wonderful!" Carter kissed my forehead. "See you this weekend?"

"See you this weekend."

I kissed Carter goodbye and headed home with a heart full of anticipation.

At six PM, I pushed open the front door.

The aroma of cooking filled the living room. Mom wore a dress I rarely saw her in, bustling between the kitchen and dining room.

"Sweetheart, you're home!" She rushed to greet me excitedly. "Go wash your hands—they'll be here any minute!"

My heart raced inexplicably. Maybe from anticipation, maybe from nerves.

Ten minutes later, the doorbell rang.

Mom took a deep breath, smoothed her hair, then opened the door.

"Welcome, welcome! Come in!"

I stood in the living room, politely prepared to greet my new family members.

A middle-aged man entered, impeccably dressed in a suit with a kind smile.

"You must be Elise. I'm John Williams." He extended his hand. "Just call me Uncle John from now on."

"Nice to meet you, Uncle John." I shook his hand politely.

"My son is parking the car—he'll be right up." John smiled. "He's your age. I think you'll become great friends."

Footsteps echoed outside the door.

I turned around, ready to welcome my new brother.

A tall figure appeared in the doorway.

Golden hair.

The familiar red varsity jacket.

Ocean-blue eyes.

Carter Williams.

My boyfriend.