She rolls her eyes, crossing her arms. “Oh, come on. Don’t act like you don’t remember the tantrum you threw yesterday.”
My brain hurts from trying to figure out what she’s talking about.
“Just because I said I won’t take you to see Mom doesn’t mean you can act like a toddler. And don’t think for a second I’m going to give your phone back after this.”
Everything comes rushing back, and all the moisture in my mouth dissipates. Her last memory of me was our fight before I ran away. She took my phone, and I told her I hated her and wanted her to disappear.
I step forward, wanting to smother her with all the love I can to make up for yelling at her.
She blocks me.
Disappointment tugs at me, but I understand why Mallory is pushing me away right now. It was an awful thing to tell her because I know now that her disappearing is the last thing I’d ever want. I’m an awful sister for ever saying those words to her. I wish more than anything I could take them back.
“I’m so sorry, Mallory.” I throw myself at her again, refusing to let her go.
“Okay, okay. I get it.” She squirms her way free and holds her arms out against me, forcing me to keep my distance. “Go to class before you’re late.” Then she slips back into the classroom and closes the door in my face.
Class?
Right. I’m at school, but how am I supposed to focus on anything other than Mallory right now?
My heart is warm and gooey, melting at the interaction like I’m a superfan who just met their idol. I spoke to her. This is real. Mallory is alive. Maybe if I keep repeating it, it’ll feel more believable.
Seconds later my stomach in knots, twisting in on itself until I can’t bear to stand there any longer.
I find myself in the bathroom, splashing my face with water because no matter how badly I want to believe this, I keep waiting for myself to wake up in the horrible reality I belong in.
I grip the sink, staring at my reflection, half expecting it to break this illusion, but it only reaffirms my new reality. Beads of water drip down my skin and I can see every acne scar and every freckle in perfect detail. If this were truly a dream, these details wouldn’t be so clear. I wouldn’t feel so real.
My legs shake, and I sink to the floor. How is this possible?
Somehow I’ve found myself back in time and it’s like Mallory never died. Is this some kind of do-over? Is the universe giving me a second chance? Did I actually go back in time or did I wake up in my old body with my future memories?
So many questions fill my mind and I don’t know where to start.
Then it hits me.
I touch the top of my ear and my fingers run over a metal hoop. It’s a piercing I got after Mallory died. I was angry because Dad wouldn’t pay attention to me and I thought this would get his attention.
He didn’t even notice.
My heart speeds up because I’m even more confused. How did I end up here? And if I’m from the future, then shouldn’t there be two of me running around?
I rub my head with my knuckles, trying to encourage the few brain cells I have to merge together and form a halfway decent explanation.
My breath catches.
I ran away.
I was gone for three days.
I suck in a breath and my eyes widen. What if this has happened before? What if the reason why no one believed I ran away was because there was another version of me running around?
That can’t be it, though. If this had happened before, I would’ve stopped Myles from hurting Mallory. There has to be another explanation.
But as far as I can tell, everything is exactly the way it was a year ago. My house. The school. Me running away.
What if the reason I’m here is because I’m supposed to save Mallory?
