Page 16 of Orlando

“Sure you are,” Alessandro calls out over a shoulder as he walks away. His girlfriend Cassidy just showed up, and when they’re around each other, he’s never far from wherever she is.

I’ve been texting with Aleeka. It’s almost like we’ve slipped back into where we left off. She’s easy to talk to. Always was. She’s also avoiding my questions. She still won’t tell me why she ghosted me or why she was crying on her own in the library. Something has changed with her. I just can’t put my finger on it. She also won’t agree with the reset idea. No matter how much I push it. That just makes me want to push it more. Which is why I’m still texting her.

Me:

I’ll pick you up in the morning.

Aleeka:

No, you won’t. I have to leave early. I need my car. And I don’t want to ride to school with you.

Me:

Ouch. I’ll try not to take that personally. Let me pick you up. It’ll be just like old times.

Aleeka:

I’m going to bed. Don’t waste your time showing up. I won’t be here.

Me:

Where are you going so early?

Aleeka:

I need to help my dad with something at his office before school.

I call bullshit. But I don’t bother arguing with her about it any further.

Me:

Dream of me.

She reads the message, and then the little bubbles indicating she’s replying pop up and disappear. Pocketing my phone, I go and sit next to Dante.

“Caught your little ghost yet?” he asks me.

“You can’t catch a ghost,” I tell him.

“You know who you need to call, don’t you?”

“Who?”

“Ghostbusters,” Dante deadpans.

“Funny,” I grunt, and the asshole laughs.

“I try.” He shrugs. “What are your plans with her anyway? What are you going to do once you do catch her?”

“Reset,” I tell him.

“What does that mean?”

“I’m going to go back to that night and hit the reset button. I’m going to be the one to walk out and let her wake up alone. I’m going to change the narrative,” I explain.

“You’re a fucking idiot.” Dante shakes his head. “You can’t change the past.”

“Yeah, that’s what Aleeka keeps saying. But watch me. It’ll work.”

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