Chapter 5: Tents, Truths, and Tremors

The show provided professional camping gear, but we had to set up our own tent and table. Since we’d won first place in the photo contest, we got first pick. I immediately chose the biggest tent—purely for our own safety. Safety first. But Chase didn’t know how to set it up. Director Mike’s tent was up in no time, but ours was still a pile on the ground. “Want to ask Director Mike for help?”

Should’ve known.

Chase, annoyed: “I can do it!”

Trying to help.

To preserve his CEO dignity, I graciously gave him space and went to play by the beach. Sand therapy. While I was squatting, playing with sand, Savannah came over. She had extra concealer under her eyes—clearly hadn’t slept well. Here we go. “You saw it yesterday, right?”

What is she talking about?

Me: “?”

“No clue.”

“Don’t play dumb. I know you saw. Are you laughing at me inside?”

Not my fault.

I wasn’t. Savannah: “I just wanted a role in Director Wayne’s film, but he wouldn’t help me with even that.”

“He used to help me with everything. But ever since you showed up, everything’s changed.”

That’s harsh.

It has nothing to do with me—I’m innocent. Savannah: “You don’t really think he likes you, do you?”

“We’re just placeholders to him.”

She pulled out her phone and showed me a sketch she’d secretly taken. “This is Chase’s dead first love.”

Wait, what?

The girl in the picture looked so familiar. Wait… isn’t that—my original self? I really did look a lot like Harper, just less refined, with a mole on the tip of my nose. The girl in the sketch, with short hair, looked exactly like me! This can’t be real. Seeing my shock, Savannah smirked. “You’re just a knockoff!”

She’s enjoying this.

I stood up, suddenly short of breath. The world spun, and I fainted. Not again.

When I woke up, I felt like I’d knocked something loose in my brain—random memories started surfacing. Déjà vu. I was wearing a school uniform, sitting on the back of Chase’s bike as he rode through the streets. In my memory, Chase was still a teenager, not the anxious, handsome man in front of me now. “Are you okay?”

He knows something.

His expression overlapped with my memory. I called out a strange name. “Chase Carter?”

What’s happening?

Chase’s whole body shook. “You remember?”

I shook my head—I just remembered the name, nothing else. But Chase was thrilled. He pulled me into a hug, burying his head on my shoulder. This is new. Me: “Your hands are shaking.”

He’s really shaken.

His voice was muffled. “Don’t talk.”

Let him have this.

“Oh.”

“Don’t get my clothes wet with your tears.”

“Shut up! It’s just the sea air!”

…Everyone came over. All eyes on me. Movie Queen Diana: “Harper, are you okay? Savannah said you fainted all of a sudden.”

Classic Savannah.

Savannah looked concerned. “Yeah, we were talking, and Harper just collapsed. I was so scared.”

Chase glared at her, and Savannah shrank back. Protective much? Me: “Probably just low blood sugar. No need to worry.”

Keep it simple.

Director Mike teased, “You really scared Chase. Before any of us could react, he ran over and carried you back.”

Never misses a chance.

I instinctively squeezed Chase’s fingers. Not letting go. He gently said, “You should rest. I finished setting up the tent.”

Bossy as ever.

I nodded, then realized—wait, we’re sleeping together tonight?! Oh, right.

…I dragged my feet as long as I could, but eventually everyone went to bed and I had to return to the tent. Stalling. Chase sneered. “Decided to come back?”

He’s enjoying this.

“I thought you’d go crash with Diana.”

Wish I could.

I would if I could, but I had too many questions to ask. I sat at the foot of the bed. “Did we know each other before?”

Let’s get to the bottom of this.

“Yeah.”

Let’s see if he tells the truth.

I couldn’t figure it out. “How could we have known each other?”

He’s sure.