"Super-powered" Noah Brandt is the ice to her twin sister Autumn's fire, but when Autumn falls into a mysterious coma, it's up to Noah to find out why and save her sister before it's too late. . . with a little help from Autumn's lifelong crush, Cai...
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C H A P T E R T H I R T E E N
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Caiden leaves my house at seven in the morning, an hour after I first woke up to find him in my room.
We are both exhausted -- me from worry, Caiden from actual sheer exhaustion. He didn't sleep an ounce last night.
As we stood there in Autumn's room, the image of Caiden's and Autumn's shared marked burned in our minds, I realized the gravity of his fatigue. Caiden had kept watch over both me and my sister into the morning, and I couldn't thank him enough.
And so I sent him home to take care of himself. Caiden needed rest. He needed a shower, to change out of his suit from the Annual, and he needed to eat. I couldn't offer him what he needed here, and his parents were most likely worried about him, so I told him to go.
Meanwhile, I'm holding down the fort. I already took a quick shower, abandoned my dress and tiara, and changed into more comfortable clothes. Now, I sit by Autumn's side, my thoughts churning as I watch the steady rise and fall of her chest.
A few times I think I see her still completely; I hallucinate that she takes her last breath and slips away into the dark. When that happens, I always jump to my feet, my head pressed to Autumn's chest. I wait until I hear her heartbeat, wait until I feel it resonate within both her and myself. And then I sigh in relief, because I can't lose Autumn. Not now. Not like this.
I think I've been sitting there for an hour when the bell rings.
At first, I don't notice. It has to ring twice before I snap out of my daze and three times until I get to my feet.
It can't be Mom -- she always uses her key -- and Caiden would have texted if he was planning to show up again.
When I reach the door, the ringing has stopped. The visitor has given up on the doorbell and now stands with their back to the house.
"Noah." Kade Kelley stands on my Welcome mat in a white sweatshirt and jeans.
"Kade. . ." My eyes sweep the street behind him. "What are you doing here?"
