Chapter Sixteen

I sat down on the toilet because if I didn’t, I knew my legs would buckle. It took me a second to realize the heavy breathing was my own. The thumping from my chest echoed in my ears. I was positive Kyle and Lilly could hear it on the other side of the door.

The ground sparkled. I reached down and picked up a small, circular disc. Strange icons moved on its surface. I tucked the disc inside my fist, inhaled Renn’s lemony scent, and left the bathroom on rubbery legs.

Kyle rushed to my side. That familiar zing shot through my body as he grabbed my elbow and helped me onto the bed. As weird as it was, it felt good to know some things hadn’t changed.

“What did he do to you?” Kyle leaned closer to my face. He inspected me as if I were a biology specimen.

“Nothing,” I said. With my hand under the covers, my thumb worked itself back and forth across the disc.

“You can’t fool me,” Kyle said. “You look like shit.”

“Thank you very much.” I scooted lower under the covers.

“You know what I mean.” Kyle checked the time on his cell phone, shaking his head as he shoved the phone back into his pocket.

“You have to be somewhere?” I asked.

He shrugged. “Nothing important.”

I wanted him to leave. I wanted him to want to leave without feeling hurt. It’s been the two of us ever since David dumped me, and I know Kyle likes to feel needed. Yet, at the moment, I needed to be alone with Lilly.

“Why don’t you go?” I said, sounding as sweet as possible.

Kyle paced to the window and back.

“I did promise my brother I’d help him move a desk…”

“Go, then,” I cut him off before he could make an excuse to stay.

“You’ll call if you need me?”

“You know I will.” I wouldn’t.

The minute he left the room, Lilly turned to me. “Okay, spill it.”

Sitting cross-legged on the bed, facing each other, I told her everything. I talked calmly right up to the most important fact.

“A time traveling matchmaker?” Her eyes took on the shape of full moons. “That’s fucking unbelievable.”

She stretched onto her side, resting her head on her elbow. She closed her eyes and pinched her lips together. A face she’s been making ever since we were kids.

“He vanished from the bathroom,” I said. “What else could it be?”

“Let me see that disc.”

She ran her thumb over the surface. Just as it had done for me, a dozen or so icons took turns lighting up. “It looks like it’s from a sci-fi movie. Like a prop.”

I took it back from her. “I bet it’s some kind of communication device.” I tapped it with my fingernail.

It chirped, startling both of us.

My heart sped up, hoping it was a communication from Renn. But when the chirping stopped, one word flashed across the tiny screen. Deactivated.

There was nothing but icons. No keypad, no letters or numbers. I tapped on something that resembled a calendar. Immediately, the screen shimmered, and a 3-D calendar appeared.

7.1. – Lunch w/ Arl @ 2

7.08 Dinner w/ BFF

Buy 21st Century Slang Guide 7.10 Decide where to stay. Malibu Motel?

Get Stats fm Natasha Stats?

“She’s nasty looking.” Lilly eyed the 3-D image of Natasha’s face next to the memo. Hair pulled back tight, large round eyes, long nose, pencil thin lips. Her moving tattoo.

“You should see her in person.”

“No thanks.”

We read the last note together. 7.24 Leave for Mud Hut.

I closed my fist around the disc. Its round edge burrowed into the cushioned part beneath my thumb.

7.24. The morning I had met Renn. All those moments rushed into my mind. The way Renn had handed me the glass of water, leveling the ground beneath me. How obsessed I had been watching him. The after-image that still haunted me.

Lilly put her hand on my arm. “What else is there?”

I pushed on an icon showing people talking to each other. Messages popped onto the screen.

To the right of each message was a 3-D icon of either Renn or Arlianna.

Renn – There’s been a miscalc. Jessica is not Frank’s Soulmate.

Arlianna – Central Match rarely makes a mistake.

Renn – Searching for flaws.

Arlianna – U R 2 raw.

Renn –My gut isn’t Arlianna – Do Ur job. She must be brought to Frank Griffin I tossed the disc onto the bed. “Frank Griffin? Who the hell is he?”

“Sounds like he was supposed to be your soulmate.”

I hit her on the head with the pillow.

Lilly picked up the disc. She sucked on her bottom lip, shaking her head. “Read this.”

There was an exchange between Renn and an exquisite looking red-haired girl. Even the freckles walking across her nose added to her beauty. My heart thumped against my rib cage.

Tweetlyn – U haven’t even left yet, and I miss U already Renn – It’s only 2 wks Tweetlyn – Then U’ll B gone again Renn – U’ll B busy with Ur career Tweetlyn – AI doesn’t compare to TT

Renn – But Ur 1 of the best Tweetlyn – B careful. I L U

Renn – Me 2 C U in 2 wks.

I read the exchange over again. And then again. “He has a girlfriend.”

“What does that even matter, Jess. He thinks he’s from the future.”

Hot lava rose into my chest. “This is fucking crazy.” I shrieked, feeling the veins in my neck pop out.

A nurse with a big happy face pin on her uniform appeared in the doorway. “Is everything okay in here?”

“All good,” Lilly answered for me.

“I sat on the edge of the bed with my hands clasped tightly together. “The doctor said I could leave after a few hours. Are you getting my discharge papers?”

Happy Face checked my vitals and typed the information into the computer. “Everything looks good. I’ll let the doctor know.”

After the nurse left, I turned to Lilly. “What kind of game is he playing? Telling me he’s a matchmaker and then kissing me but saying he shouldn’t. Seriously.”

“Not to mention, he thinks he’s a time traveler.”

I let out nervous giggle. “Yeah, that, too.”

I stared at Lilly’s face. Her mouth moved but the words were out of sync with her lips. I got off the bed, clutching the handrails.

“What is it?” Lilly asked.

Looking at her made me feel dizzy. I kept my eyes down. “It’s like before. Your lips and words aren’t together.”

Lilly put her arm around me. “I’ve got you.” Her voice sounded wavy. I couldn’t tell if I was hearing it that way or her own fear was making it shake.

Commotion exploded at the nurse’s stand. I peeked out the door. I got a glimpse of Natasha’s stern face and the back of Arlianna’s curly hair.

“It’s them,” I said. “We have to get out of here.”