Page 64 of Time Loops & Meet Cutes
23Noelle
June 20, Version 135-ish
I sit on my futon with my morning coffee and listlessly watch the viral squirrel video yet again. For the last several days, I’ve been focused on getting out of this stupid loop. I was already scraping the bottom of the barrel when it came to ideas, but now, I’m truly out. Since the night I got drunk, I’ve quit my job multiple times and stood in Times Square with a sign. If those didn’t do the trick, what will?
I’m an engineer. Surely I can figure out a time loop.
At that thought, I start laughing. I’ve figured out nothing, except the fact that Fernando makes more than me and Lee won’t give me the raise I deserve. And I don’t think my engineering background has helped me at all with this situation.
I need a day off from this.
ME: I think I’m going to spend the day with Cam.
AVERY: Sounds good. I might meet you at the brewery.
ME: You want to see the guy you were flirting with the other day?
AVERY: maybe?
I do some reading, consider sending Lee an email that saysFuck youbefore ultimately deciding against it, then call the hair salon.
I’ve gotten this exact haircut nine—or is it ten?—times now, and I love it. I love how my head feels lighter afterward. It’s just annoying that I can’t keep it.
I give the stylist a generous tip, then walk out the door of the salon. Sure, my life is just as ridiculous as before, but I feel rejuvenated. Taking a day off was a good idea. I—
“Shit!” I cry as I tumble to the ground. I rub my sore knee as I look up.
“I’m so sorry. Are you okay?”
From this angle, the sunshine is like a halo around Cam’s head, and I stare at him, entranced. I guess I wasn’t paying close enough attention when I walked out the door, and I ran into him. He’s on his way to the bubble tea shop a few doors down.
“I’m fine,” I say.
His concerned look morphs into a smile that’s powerful enough to make me tingle, even though I’ve seen it many times before. He extends his hand, and I take it.
“You look really familiar,” he says, “and I feel like I ought to know your name, but I don’t. That seems impossible, though, because if I’d learned your name, I’m sure I wouldn’t have forgotten it.”
We’re still holding hands.
“And why is that?” I ask with a flirty tilt of my head.
He chuckles. “You busy right now? I could buy you some bubble tea as an apology for knocking you down.”
“I think that was my fault.” I pause. “But I accept.”
“Wait a second. Your name—it has something to do with Christmas?”
I wait for his next words, heart thumping wildly. This is new.
“Saint Nick,” he says. “Nicky? Nicole?”
“Noelle.”
He still didn’t get my name, but it’s progress, however small.
“I’m Cam,” he says as we head to the tea shop. He opens the door and gestures me ahead of him.
As we wait in line, I consider how I want today to go. It’s been a while since we spent much time together.
