Chapter 1
Jason Rivers and I had been together for five years, and it felt like we were always fighting.
Whether it was something small, like buying him a shirt, or something big, like calling the cops to get his creepy uncle out of our lives, nothing I did ever seemed to make him happy.
Even in the middle of the car crash, we were still arguing.
As the huge truck barreled toward us, Jason held me close, protecting me with his own body.
With his last breath, Jason said, "Lily Summers, loving you is too exhausting. In your next life, you should find yourself a wealthy guy who matches your status. "
When I opened my eyes again, I was back in high school, and Jason was still that dirt-poor guy who'd transferred to our class for the money.
I looked up at those cold, distant eyes at the front of the classroom.
I texted my dad: [I'll agree to that arranged marriage you mentioned before.]
I added: [Also, after SATS, I'm going abroad.]
Jason was still introducing himself up front.
His icy, clipped introduction had already made the girls in the class gasp and whisper.
Honestly, it was because Jason was insanely handsome.
That was the only reason someone like me, born with a silver spoon and always thinking nobody could match me, ended up falling head over heels for him.
Looking back, Jason wasn't a bad guy. He'd make me hot coco when I had cramps and stay up all night taking care of me whenever I caught the flu.
Sometimes, we got along pretty well.
But whenever our families got involved, we'd end up fighting.
Right before I died, I finally realized, 'Our families had raised us with completely different values. We were never going to fit.'
I grew up spoiled, never lacking for anything, whatever I wanted, I got.
Jason, on the other hand, was raised by his grandma. Before he found success, he bounced from house to house, always depending on others for a meal or a place to stay. The world he saw was nothing like mine.
So this time around, I decided to let him go and set myself free, too.
When the teacher mentioned there was a seat next to me, I was about to say no.
But Jason cut in, "No, I'd rather sit next to her. "
He pointed at Anna James, the only girl in our class who wasn't rich, and the one who'd end up tangled in our story for years. She was his childhood friend from back home.
Anna's face turned bright red as she hurriedly tidied up her desk.
Jason walked right by me, giving me a quick glance.
That's when I realized he'd been reborn, too.
He pretended not to know me and kept his distance.
For some reason, I secretly felt relieved, but also a bit bitter inside.
I didn't bother watching Anna try to talk to him, all shy and awkward.
I grabbed a pad from my bag and headed to the bathroom.
When I came back, there was a bottle of water on my desk.
The guy in front of me, Alex, grinned.
"Here, a little thank you for helping me with my homework last time, " he said.
I picked up the bottle, it was chilled to the touch.
Perfect for soothing my nerves.
I twisted the cap open, ready to take a sip.
But Jason walked over and snatched the bottle from my hand.
He looked kind of pissed.
"Don't you know cold drinks can make your cramps worse? " Jason asked.
He was giving me attitude again.
Even when he meant well, he always sounded like he was starting an argument.
I was always too proud to let it slide, so I'd snap right back at him.
Every time we talked, it was like sparring in a boxing ring, neither of us willing to back down.
But this time, I didn't bother. I softly murmured, "mm. "
"Alright, I won't drink it now. I'll wait until it warms up, " I said.
That actually caught Jason off guard.
He'd never seen me this calm before. He stood there awkwardly, holding the bottle, not really knowing what to do with it.
I sighed, remembering the darkness in his eyes right before he died. I decided to be gentle with him one last time.
"Jason, thanks for caring, but please give me the drink. Alex gave it to me as a kind gesture, " I said.
Jason's eyes flickered, and he set the bottle down before walking away.
As the day drew to a close, students started heading home.
While I was waiting for my driver, someone slipped a note into my hand.
I opened it and read: [Lily, I know you've been reborn too. Now that we have another shot, please, let me go this time.]
Jason continued in the note: [I want to study hard, get a good job, and live a quiet life. I don't want to fight every day.]
[I don't want to tiptoe around anyone or worry about pleasing others. Please let me have some peace and quiet. Consider it payback for saving your life.]
My eyes burned and my throat tightened. Jason really went and said it all, huh.
After tossing the note in the trash, I used the number he'd left during his intro to text him.
I texted back: [Alright, I promise.]
Then, I blocked every way he could reach me.