born to die (wintumn fanfic)

chapter one

I hadn't seen Mia in years, ever since I'd moved out of my family home and Reece had left soon after. In the fallout of prom night, Mia had chosen Reece over me and it hurt more than being betrayed by Reece had.

"Autumn, are you even listening?"

I snapped out of my daydream to look over at Marjorie, who was scrolling through her phone at her desk. When I'd first come to work at the nursery, I hadn't liked Marjorie, but after a while, she'd grown on me. She wasn't as bad as I'd thought.

I raised an eyebrow, "What did you say?"

Marjorie sighed, "I was asking if you think I should reinstall Tinder? Since your brother turned out to be awful, no offence." She asked me, I knew my answer wouldn't matter, Marjorie would be back on Tinder within a week.

I took no offence to her comment about Reece anyway. I had hated my brother since what he'd done to me at prom night, when I'd thought I was going on a date with my crush and it had turned out to be a prank.

Oh well, I was more upset at the prank than Kyle Killerman not being my prom date. After all, I'd only been interested in him to try and make Mia jealous, but she'd always been much more interested in Reece. It wasn't fair.

"Do what you want, Marjorie, I don't care." I said, but Marjorie knew I did care about her. She was one of my very few friends and I did worry about her when it came to Reece.

I paused, wondering if I should ask my next question, but deciding to anyway, "Marjorie, how did Mia seem to you? Did she look like she was doing okay?" I asked.

Marjorie only shrugged, "She seemed like a bitch."

I decided not to ask anymore questions. I knew Marjorie was likely just jealous of Mia, because she'd been with Reece for so many years. I was jealous too, but of my brother, not of Mia. It was hard to be happy for him when he was taking everything I wanted.

If only I'd told Mia about my feelings before her and Reece could get together. Maybe then prom night would never have happened and I'd be happy with Mia right now. Reece may be upset at first, but he'd be happy for us because back then he cared about me. I wish he still did.

I felt tears prick at my eyes and I quickly coughed, telling Marjorie I had to go to the toilet and rushing out into the hall. All the children were in their rooms with the rest of the staff, so I finally had this space to break down in peace.

I allowed myself to cry as I made my way up to the staffroom, opening the door and sitting down on one of the chairs. I never cried, especially not in public places like this, I didn't want anyone to know about it, nobody could know.

"Well, look who it is."

I looked up from where I was sat to see her stood at the door. I hadn't even noticed her walk in, it was Mia. She still looked the same as she had all those years ago and I felt my heart skip a beat but immediately tried to shake it off.

I shouldn't still be feeling like this after all these years. Mia had chosen Reece over me on prom night, she hadn't called to ask if I was okay, she didn't care about me. So why did I care about her? Why did I want to run up and hug her? Why hadn't my feelings changed?

I wouldn't let her figure it out though, I couldn't.

"Mia." I seethed, standing up from my seat, "What are you doing here?"

Mia chuckled softly, stepping through the doorway and over to me, "Maybe I just wanted to see you after all these years, like a big family reunion." She teased and I knew she was being sarcastic, she'd come here to torment me, not to reunite. "You've grown a lot since I last saw you, Autumn."

I frowned at her, "I don't know how you got in, but you should get out before I make you leave."

Usually, this would threaten anyone else, this would even cause Reece or one of the male parents at the nursery to go running, but Mia didn't budge, she only smirked. "I think you forget, I was the only person who could ever beat you at wrestling."

That was true, if there was anyone stronger than me, it was Mia. She was older than me, so it made sense for her to be, but I still found it embarrassing than anyone could be stronger. It made my role as the guard dog at the nursery feel less important, knowing how easily I could be replaced by someone else.

Then again, my father would never let that happen.. Probably.

"I hope you don't mind, Autumn, but it looks like Reecey and I will be getting back together, now that Marjorie is out of the picture." Mia stated, crossing her arms.

I rolled my eyes, "Like I care about my brother."

Mia shook her head, "I didn't say you cared about him, but you care about me." She pointed out and I froze in horror, "That's right, I got a hold of all your old diaries. 'Mrs Autumn Roberts', I found it all very cute."

I paused, wondering if denying it would get me very far before simply hanging my head, "That was a long time ago, Mia, and you know it. Stop going through my things."

"I would, but it's just too much fun, besides, I've known about your little crush for years." Mia added on and then flashed me a wicked smile, "It's been very entertaining watching you go insane over me all these years, and by the looks of it, once Reecey and I are back as a couple, you'll be going insane all over again."

I scowled at her, "Is that all you came here to do? Gloat?"

Mia nodded, "It's been fun catching up, Autumn, but the sister nursery isn't going to manage itself and we both know Reecey can't do it without me."

With that she left and it was there that I decided I was going to do whatever it took to get my revenge on Mia, but not in the way I usually would. No, I had a better plan in mind.

I was going to drive her insane out of jealousy too, she'd be begging for my forgiveness once I was done.