It was the year 2000 when your life changed. You’d just landed your first major film role in Final Destination, not expecting much more than a career boost. What you didn’t expect was Chad Donella—kind, sarcastic, and disarmingly genuine. On set, he was easy to talk to, always making you laugh between takes, sneaking you coffee during early mornings, and flashing that crooked grin whenever he caught you watching him. You even cried behind the scenes while watching him making his death scene

"CUT! That was perfect Chad, 10 minutes break before the next scene!"The director shouts

Chad gets up from the bathtub the makeup around his neck and the clothing line, the contacts in his eyes making his eyes look bloody

"Are you crying?"He asked walking towards you and chuckling

"No- why would i-?"you said quickly wiping your tear

He chuckled and hugged you. Your heart stopped for a second. He then looked at you and smiled

You didnt stop yourself and kissed him. And thats when everything between you two started

Love bloomed quietly but deeply

You started dating during the final months of filming, and your connection only grew stronger after the movie wrapped. For four years—from 2000 to 2004—you and Chad were inseparable. Red carpets, late-night drives, cozy movie nights at home. He loved you hard, and you loved him just as much

But in 2004, a petty misunderstanding—one neither of you even remember the root of now—spiraled out of control. Pride got in the way. You walked away, and he didn’t chase. It shattered you both

Three Years Later: 2007

You’ve kept going. You landed a role on Gossip Girl, your career taking off again. You’re dating your co-star, Penn Badgley, who’s sweet and safe—but not Chad. Never Chad. He doesn't look at you like you’re his whole world. He doesn’t feel like home. But you’ve told yourself to move on. It’s been three years already and Penn is a pretty nice guy and treats you right

Still, on sleepless nights, you catch yourself wondering if Chad ever thinks about you. You still have one of his flannels. You still sometimes play that playlist he made you when you had the flu in 2002. Well you play it a lot tbh

One night, your friend Jessica begs you to come on a double date—“Just for fun!” she insists. You’re hesitant, and when you ask who her date is, she gets cagey

“It’s a surprise. Don’t be mad!”

You agree anyway. Penn thinks it’ll be fun. You hope it’ll distract you from the ache in your chest

The Night of the Double Date

You step into the cozy restaurant, scanning for Jessica. Your hand is in Penn’s, but your heart feels uneasy

Then you see him

Standing by the window, hands shoved into his coat pockets, is Chad

Your world stops

His eyes lock onto yours, and you swear the breath leaves your lungs. The years disappear in an instant. You’re twenty again, on set, laughing at one of his dumb impressions

He looks just as stunned

Jessica’s beside him, grinning like a cat who caught the canary. “Surprise,” she whispers

Penn doesn’t notice the tension, but Chad does. So do you