Chapter 4

I spun around abruptly and crashed into a pair of deep blue eyes. Golden-brown hair gleaming in the sunlight, a straight nose, and that face I'd dream about—

Garrett Harrison.

"I..." I stammered, "I have urgent business. I need to help my grandma at the community center."

Garrett frowned as he looked me over: "You're not about to do something dangerous, are you, Bailey Jensen? I remember your name."

He actually knew my name?

"How do you know—"

"The taekwondo club often trains around here. I've seen you a few times." Garrett's expression suddenly softened, "Need any help?"

My heart pounded wildly. In my memory, the first time I spoke with Garrett was at... at Grandma's funeral. That's when he approached me, offering to help me sue Fletcher...

But this was different. Now Grandma was still alive, and I had a chance to get to know this boy anew.

"I... I really need to get over this wall." I bit my lip, "You won't report me, will you?"

Garrett was silent for a few seconds, then suddenly turned to check our surroundings. After confirming there were no security guards around, he easily climbed over the fence.

He reached out his hand from the other side: "Come on, I'll catch you."

I was stunned. He was actually going to help me?

"Hurry up!" Garrett urged, "Security will be here any minute!"

I took a deep breath and grabbed his hand. In that instant, a strange electric current seemed to course through my entire body.

His hand was so warm... Though this was the first time I'd held his hand, why did it feel strangely familiar?

After my feet touched the ground, I looked up at Garrett, who was a head taller than me: "Thank you... but why are you helping me?"

"Because you looked really worried, and..." Garrett's cheeks turned slightly red, "you don't seem like someone who'd do anything bad."

Looking at his sincere expression, a complex emotion welled up in my heart. In my memories from the future, he was a kind person...

"Well... thank you. I should go—"

"The community center? I'm heading there too." Garrett shrugged, "Today's the Thanksgiving charity dinner. My mom asked me to help out. Lawyer family social responsibility, you know."

What? He was going there too? This wasn't part of the original timeline!

My mind raced. Would Garrett's presence change anything? Would it affect my plan?

"Then... let's go together."

We jogged along, and arrived at the community center within ten minutes.

Warm light spilled over the busy volunteers, and the air was filled with the aroma of Thanksgiving dinner preparations. I immediately spotted Grandma in her lavender cardigan.

"Bailey!" Helen waved, "And who's this handsome young man?"

"I'm Garrett Harrison, pleased to meet you." Garrett politely extended his hand.

Helen shook his hand, a flash of surprise in her eyes: "Harrison? The Harrison law family?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Oh, what a wonderful boy!" Helen beamed, "Bailey, you've made a good friend!"

I blushed: "Grandma, we're just... classmates."

Though this was our first formal meeting, he felt very special to me.

For the next two hours, Garrett, Grandma, and I distributed chocolate cookies together and helped prepare dinner. I noticed that Garrett was always thoughtfully helping me carry heavy things and would steal glances at my expressions.

More importantly, Grandma's gaze toward us grew increasingly tender.

"Garrett, thank you for helping our Bailey." Grandma took Garrett's hand, "You're a good boy."

Garrett blushed: "You're welcome. Bailey is special. I'm happy to help her."

Special? He said I was special?

My heartbeat quickened, but then I remembered the danger we'd face tonight, and my smile vanished instantly.

Helen keenly noticed my change in expression. She walked over to me and gently stroked my hair.

Then she said the words I could never forget:

"If there's a good boy who truly loves our Bailey, that would be God's greatest gift to us."

Helen looked at Garrett and me, her eyes full of love: "Having one more person in this world to love our little angel would put my mind at ease."

Tears immediately welled up in my eyes. But I only wanted Grandma.

"Grandma..."

"What's wrong, sweetheart?" Helen gently wiped away my tears.

Grandma was always thinking of me like this... but tonight I absolutely wouldn't let her get hurt!

"Nothing, I just... love you so much."

"I love you too, Bailey. Always."

Garrett quietly watched our grandmother-granddaughter interaction from the side, a complex emotion in his eyes.

I watched the scene of Grandma and Garrett chatting happily, feeling both warm and anxious inside.

This time I had changed the daytime trajectory. Fletcher shouldn't find an opportunity tonight... but I had to stay vigilant and absolutely not let Grandma get hurt again!

The evening sunset bathed Los Angeles streets in a warm golden glow as Grandma Helen and I walked home hand in hand, our shadows stretching long and far.

"Perfect! I succeeded this time!" I celebrated internally, my steps becoming lighter, "Fletcher didn't have any chance to find us!"

I secretly glanced at Grandma beside me. That kind face looked especially gentle in the sunset. Helen was smiling and humming a little tune, still carrying the leftover cookies from the community center.

"What a beautiful day," Grandma Helen said contentedly, "That boy Garrett is really nice. The way he looks at you is just like how your grandfather used to look at me."

My cheeks turned red, and I felt unprecedentedly relaxed: "Grandma, let's make cookies together when we get home to celebrate! Using that secret recipe you taught me, with a little sea salt, and most importantly—"

"Made with love." We said this phrase in unison, then both laughed.

"Yes, dear." Grandma gently stroked my hair, "Family is God's greatest gift to us."

I gripped Grandma's hand tightly, my heart full of accomplishment. I had changed the daytime arrangements, keeping Grandma at the community center all afternoon, with Garrett there to protect us too.

When we approached the Melrose apartment building, my steps suddenly stopped. Night had completely fallen, the streetlights had just turned on, but everything looked normal. No suspicious figures, no signs of danger.

We safely returned to apartment 502 in building 8. Grandma opened the door, and the familiar scent of home washed over us. Everything was so quiet, so ordinary.

"I'm really tired today," Grandma Helen yawned, "I'm going to rest early."

"Okay, Grandma." I smiled with forced lightness, though my heart was still tense, "Good night, I love you."

"I love you too, dear." Grandma gave me a light kiss on the forehead, "Sweet dreams."

I watched Grandma enter her room, then carefully walked toward my own bedroom. Maybe I really had changed fate, maybe Fletcher wouldn't come tonight...

I pushed open my bedroom door. Moonlight streamed through the curtains onto the bed. Everything was so quiet. I breathed a sigh of relief and began changing into my pajamas.

Just as I was taking off my jacket, a rough large hand covered my mouth from behind.

"Shh... don't make a sound." That familiar voice whispered in my ear with disgusting hot breath, "I've been waiting for you two all day."

Fletcher! He actually... he was actually hiding in my room!