Death, and the Girl He Loves

“No prob. Happens to me all the time.”

We sat down, and in stellar Brooke fashion, she leveled a pointed stare on me. “Okay, spill.”

“Spill?” I asked, opening my bag of chips.

“That note this morning. What was that about? You seemed … distressed.”

I took a chip and crunched a moment before answering. “It’s weird. I’m not sure how to explain it, and it’s silly anyway.”

“Weird, huh?” She put mustard on her burger and fries.

That was one of our favorite things to do, and we’d discovered it together. The joys of dipping fries in mustard instead of ketchup. But that was years ago, and if my newest calculations were right, we weren’t actually in heaven. I had no idea where we were, but it wasn’t heaven in the traditional sense. So if she didn’t discover the magic mustard trick with me, then who?

“This whole day has been weird.”

“Because you’re weird,” a boy behind me said.

I turned to see Glitch walk up. I’d yet to see him all day, and here he was in all his glory. I jumped up and threw my arms around him.

He stumbled back, but not because of me. I’d shocked him. I pulled away instantly, then stuttered, trying to explain my abrupt actions.

“I haven’t seen you in a while,” I said, flustered beyond belief when he just stared at me aghast.

“Ooooo-kay.” He patted my head, then looked at Brooke. “She normally isn’t like this,” he said. “I was just going to see what was going on. Ashlee said you asked us not to join you for lunch today. What gives?”

So he was friends with Brooke, Ashlee, and Sydnee, but not me? My outburst clearly made him uncomfortable. My world had turned upside down, and navigating it was proving much harder than I thought possible.

“I’m sorry, Glitch. I just—”

“Glitch?” he asked, his brows sliding together as though I’d grown horns. “Did you just call me Glitch? Is that supposed to be subtle?”

“What? No.” My tongue tripped on itself as I tried to explain. “I thought you went by Glitch.”

“Why are you even talking to me?” he asked. The brusqueness in his tone brought me up short. The area around us quieted, and every eye turned our way. He looked at Brooke. “And why are you talking to her? I didn’t think you associated with anyone who thought she was all that and then some.”

“What?” I screeched. Did he know me at all? “Just what are you called, then? Butthead? Because butthead seems to be quite appropriate at the moment.”

He nodded. “There she is.” He gestured toward Brooke then. “The Lorelei we all know and love to hate. Just don’t forget who she is.” The sneer he placed on me was full of venom and a deep-seated hatred. It stunned me to my toes.

He turned to leave, saying, “God, this has been the weirdest freaking day.”

At that moment, the entire cafeteria grew quiet. I sat down, hoping to avoid any more unwanted attention. Was I just a stone bitch in this alternate reality? I didn’t remember turning into a stone bitch.

Luckily, everyone was looking toward the front of the cafeteria, the line serving pizza. I glanced over my shoulder, and froze. It was Jared. Jared was in my alternate reality. I wanted to run and jump into his arms, too, but that last experience stayed me. Would he know me? He was the Angel of Death. If anyone would remember what happened, it would be him. Whispers erupted around us as I took note of his attire. He was wearing the white T-shirt and jeans he’d first shown up in.

Were we in a time loop? Would it start all over again? Would I be hit by a huge green delivery truck this time, or would it be a small purple Honda?

He turned and started toward our table just like the first time he’d shown up. I pulled my lower lip into my mouth, hoping he’d remember me. Hoping he’d join us and explain what was going on. Instead, he paused when he spotted another student walking up to him. Cameron.

Every muscle in my body flexed in response.

Cameron walked toward him, his gait sure, purposeful. They didn’t always get along, so I tensed even more when they met, but Cameron merely leaned in to him and said something quietly. Jared smiled, only it was real. Genuine. Not menacing or threatening like the first time they’d met a few months ago.

Cameron carried a tray over to our table and sat down beside Brooke. Jared followed.

“Hey, you,” she said to Cameron, shoving him playfully with her shoulder.

He shoved back. “Hey.” Then he glanced over at me, clearly surprised I was sitting there. “Hey, um, Lorelei. This is Jared.”

I allowed my gaze to travel up the exquisite length of him until it landed on his dark eyes. They twinkled with appreciation as he held out a hand to me.

“Oh,” I said, fumbling to correct my mistake. I took his hand, its warmth spreading through me instantly with the contact. “Nice to meet you.”

“He just started here,” Brooke said.

“And he’s going to make one heck of a football player,” Cameron said. “He’ll be a great addition to the team.”

The shock of that statement had me gawking at him. “You play football?”

Cameron laughed. “Hell no. But Jared here will, right, buddy?”

Buddy? Oh, yeah, I’d entered the Twilight Zone.

“He’s already talked to the coach,” Cameron continued. “They’re drooling. Best stats in the state.”