“Addie?” A voice I’d know anywhere. In any lifetime.
“Arion?” My heart lurches.
He laughs. “Since when were you into formalities?”
A laugh escapes me before I can stop it. Anything to stop me from sobbing on the spot. “Sorry, Ari. I just… I don’t really know what’s going on right now.”
“Are you sure you’re okay? Did Kai do something? Because I swear if he did…”
“No, no,” I interrupt quickly. “I just… I miss you.”
“Aww.” His voice softens. “Well, Ads. I missed you too.”
“We should… get ice cream later,” I say cautiously.
“I’d never turn down ice cream. You know that,” he says, and it sounds like he’s smiling. “I was just calling to see how you were getting to school.”
“Mason’s taking me, I think.” My own words come as a surprise to me, so much I almost laugh. Who would have thought? “We’re getting ready to leave now.”
“Of course he is,” he sighs into the phone dramatically. “Always stealing you from me. I thought I was your best friend.”
“Isn’t he your best friend too?” I ask teasingly. I wonder if they’re best friends in this universe too?
“Well, naturally. You two are sort of a package deal, you know,” he says all too quickly.
A package deal?I learn more and more about friendship rules every day.
“I’ll… see you in school, then?” I say, not ready to let go of the conversation but knowing it has to. “Goodbye, Ari.”
“See ya around, Ross,” he replies, and the call ends.
I lower the phone, my hand trembling, the tears finally falling. This can’t be real. But it is, isn’t it? It’s beautiful and perfect and everything I ever wanted—and it’s breaking my heart.
I wipe the tears from my eyes, trying to steady myself, trying to breathe. I turn toward the stairs, thinking I should get dressed. But just as I take the first step, there’s a knock at the door.
“Addie, open the door, please, dear,” comes a warm, familiar voice. My mother.
Behind her, I hear Naomi giggle. That sound makes me freeze. Naomi, giggling? When was the last time I’d heard that sound? Probably a few years. My hands shake as I step toward the door.
For a moment, I hesitate. Who could it be? At this point, I wouldn’t be surprised if Michael Jackson himself showed up at the door, but I open it anyway. And there he is.
Not Michael Jackson.
Kai.
In his big, stupid trench coat that I’d have teased him about any other time, and a thick scarf that looks too warm for the mild day.
But it’s him.
Kai, with the biggest grin I’ve ever seen. Kai, looking at me like I’m everything he’s ever wanted. His beautiful eyes don’t look empty anymore; they’re alive, sparkling with… something that makes my breath catch.
An emotion that looks just perfect on him.
Joy.
“There you are,” he says, still grinning. “Why didn’t you answer when I called?”
Frowning, I glance down at my phone. Three missed calls. “I didn’t hear. I’m sorry,” I mumble, and before I can stop myself, I throw my arms around him.
