《Together At Last》


 For the First Time; For the Millionth Time

    ¡ªAugust 1st, 2025¡ª


    I took my second walk of the day through the local cemetery that evening, my black wired headphones plugged in as I listened to tarot videos on YouTube. I found comfort in tarot readings¡ªnot because they could predict the future, but because whatever resonated within them felt like a reflection of myself. I carried them everywhere, even downloading and splicing the files onto my phone to listen offline when Wi-Fi wasn''t available.


    For years now, I''d been contemplating ending it all. I was with someone I didn''t really love, and it had been weighing on me for a long time. In another universe, perhaps I would have married her and had kids. But I''d had time to think about that, and it wasn''t what I wanted. We shared none of the same interests. She thought my passions¡ªgaming, anime, and manga¡ªwere vapid and mind-numbing at best. And for lack of a better description, she was completely mainstream.


    The past few years had been routine: university courses and work as usual. No unusual injuries, though I occasionally felt a strange twinge in my hips that never amounted to anything. I just didn''t think I was cut out for this human thing. On paper, I had it all¡ªa girlfriend, education, job, and a rental. The average person would think I''d solved life. But deep down, and even on the surface, I knew this lifestyle wasn''t for me.


    I''d also spent these years studying the occult, conducting deep research off the beaten path. I''d visited libraries, scoured the city, and explored both the internet and dark web. I knew about ascension, the ubiquity of consciousness, of the treachery and evil behind the lying guise of governments¡ªI knew things that would land others in psychiatric hospitals in an instant. Yet here I was, sane enough to maintain this ordinary life among normal people.


    Little did I know, my life would change from this moment forward. Little did I know, I was right¡ªI was meant for so much more.


    We collided with a thud as our heads met and recoiled. When we looked up at each other, I was stunned. She was beautiful. Oddly enough, she resembled my girlfriend, sharing similar traits: blonde hair, blue eyes. But the girl before me was... infinitely more captivating. I felt drawn to her by some magnetic force. Her eyes were a lighter blue, like the turquoise oceans on resort brochures, so large and enchanting I could see my reflection in them. Her smile was perfect¡ªwide and beautiful¡ªwith lips that curved just right. The proportions of her face couldn''t have been off by even a fraction. Her messy bun contained the most pristine hair I''d ever seen. She was shorter than my girlfriend, perhaps 5''1", and leaner, though clearly healthy. She was simply perfect. I didn''t even question these thoughts or their conflict with my current relationship; her presence seemed to sweep all that away.


    The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.Instead of the pain from our collision, all I felt was blood rushing to my face as my heart raced. For the first time in my life, I was speechless. She was speaking, but I couldn''t hear her words.


    She removed my headphones and asked if I was alright, saying it was funny we hadn''t seen each other coming. Then she giggled¡ªthe sound of an angel. I might be an overweight otaku, but if this were an anime and she was a character in a slice-of-life romance, she''d be best girl without question, from start to finish and beyond.


    I stammered an agreement and offered a nervous laugh. We stood there for several seconds, awkwardly alternating between looking away and meeting each other''s gaze. She didn''t seem repulsed or eager to leave. Why was she staying? Should I speak? Why did I feel this way when I had a girlfriend? Then it hit me:


    I was falling in love with this girl.


    "Soooo," she said awkwardly, her expression adorable. She definitely had a flair for the dramatic. Maybe she watched memes¡ªthat would be amazing. Despite what anyone might think, I wasn''t letting her get away, at least not without knowing if she frequented this place.


    "So, do you come here often?" I asked, unconsciously mirroring her tone.


    "Mm yeah, I come here like once a day, maybe more when the weather''s good. There''s no better place to clear the mind, you know?"


    She was perfect.


    "What are the chances? I feel exactly the same way." I remembered the promise ring my girlfriend had given me for our third anniversary two years ago. Feeling suddenly self-conscious, I slipped my hands into my pockets, hoping she hadn''t noticed.


    "Married?" she asked.


    She had noticed. "No, but..." I struggled to mention my girlfriend. I hated lying, even if I sometimes did so by omission to keep things running smoothly. "It''s a promise ring," I admitted.


    She studied me for a moment, as if trying to decode my vibe. Then she said something unexpected: "Well, if we both like walks and cemeteries, and if it''s okay with your girlfriend"¡ªshe said this playfully¡ª"why don''t you meet me here tomorrow around the same time?"


    "U-um," I stammered. Had she just asked to meet tomorrow? We didn''t even know each other. Could she read my mind? My heart? Despite these questions, I decided to set them aside and clear my schedule. Something in my heart stirred, and if I knew anything about how the universe worked, it was that the heart leads the way, and everything else follows its beat. "Y-yeah, I would love that."


    "Oh, you would, eh?" She gave me a knowing look, both weird and cute. "See you tomorrow then," she smiled as she walked past. As she passed, I caught a whiff of her scent¡ªflowers. Cherry blossoms? Oh lord.


    All I knew then was that I''d bumped into a mysterious girl who instantly connected with me. What I didn''t know was that this was the beginning of the rest of my life with her. And that no one else would ever matter but her, forever.

 Spun Gold

    ¡ªAugust 2nd, 2025¡ª


    I couldn''t sleep that night. My girlfriend Sarah lay beside me, peacefully unaware of how my world had shifted mere hours ago. The gentle rhythm of her breathing, once comforting, now felt like a countdown to morning¡ªto when I''d see her again. The guilt gnawed at me, but it couldn''t overshadow the electric anticipation coursing through my veins.


    I spent hours scrolling through my phone, trying to distract myself with manga updates, Reddit threads about AI, and videos covering alternative history. But every few minutes, my mind would drift back to those turquoise eyes, that perfect smile. I found myself wondering what kind of music she listened to, whether she''d appreciate the subtle alchemical storytelling in One Piece, or if she''d laugh at my collection of custom-ordered ceramic devil fruits.


    Sarah stirred beside me, mumbling something about her upcoming presentation at work. I felt a pang of remorse¡ªwe''d built a life together, comfortable and predictable. But that was the problem, wasn''t it? Predictable. Like a visual novel where you can see all the dialogue options before choosing them. But this mysterious cemetery girl? She was like a plot twist I never saw coming.


    Morning came too slowly and too quickly at the same time. I went through my workday in a daze, barely registering the endless meetings and email threads. My coworkers probably thought I was more absorbed in my phone than usual, but I was actually researching the history of ghost sightings in our local cemetery. Something about her made me want to dig deeper into the occult knowledge I''d accumulated over the years. Was it possible she was more than just a beautiful girl who happened to share my appreciation for quiet walks among the tombstones?


    The promise ring felt heavier on my finger with each passing hour. I''d never been the type to believe in love at first sight¡ªthat was the stuff of shoujo manga, not real life. Yet here I was, counting down the minutes until I could see her again, all while wearing another woman''s promise on my hand.


    As evening approached, I told Sarah I was going for my usual walk. The lie of omission tasted bitter, but the anticipation of seeing her again sweetened it somehow. I arrived at the cemetery twenty minutes early, my heart thundering in my chest like a manga protagonist before a confession scene.


    The sun was setting, painting the tombstones in shades of amber and rose. I walked our collision spot, wondering if yesterday had been real or if I''d somehow slipped into an alternate reality. Those years of occult research had taught me that reality was more flexible than most people believed. Maybe this was proof.


    Then I saw her approaching through the lengthening shadows, and my breath caught in my throat. She wore a flowing sundress that made her look like she''d stepped out of a Makoto Shinkai film, ethereal and impossibly perfect. Her messy bun had been replaced by loose waves that caught the dying sunlight like spun gold.


    She smiled when she saw me, and just like that, I knew there was no turning back. Whatever this was¡ªfate, magic, or something else entirely¡ªI was already in too deep to swim back to shore.


    "You actually came," she said semi-sarcastically, her voice carrying on the evening breeze like a melody.


    "Of course I did," I replied, surprising myself with my steadiness. "I had to know if you were real or if I''d been sleep walking or something. Or maybe I¡¯d met a ghost."


    She laughed. "Oh, I''m real," she said, deathly serious at first. Which caught me off-guard. She stepped closer with another smile. "Shall we walk?"


    "Yes," I managed to say, pushing through the awkwardness that threatened to silence me. Something about her demanded more¡ªmore courage, more honesty, more of everything I had to give. In my twenty-seven years, I''d developed a habit of acting on instinct rather than thought. It had served me well, teaching me lessons both harsh and beautiful. But standing there, faced with this ethereal creature who made me want to upend my entire existence, I wondered if any of those lessons had prepared me for this moment.


    We began walking together as the sun descended behind the cemetery''s western edge. Darkness crept up behind us like a living thing, and normally, this would have sent me running. I''d never shaken my childhood fear of the dark¡ªit was as much a part of me as my otaku tendencies. Yet somehow, the encroaching shadows felt almost sacred when shared with her, as if the darkness itself was blessing our meeting.


    After a few steps, I stopped abruptly and turned to face her. She mirrored my movement, her sundress swaying gently in the evening breeze.


    "What''s up?" she asked, flashing that devastating smile that made my knees weak.


    "I just realized we don''t even know each other''s names," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.


    "True. I''m Eli. What''s yours?"


    "Tris," I replied, then added without thinking, "Eli is cute." The words tumbled out before I could stop them, and I felt heat rush to my face. Since when had I become so forward?


    "Aw, thanks." She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, and I noticed an emerald stud that hadn''t been there yesterday. The simple gesture sent my mind spinning¡ªshe''d chosen to wear a sundress, let her hair down, and add that elegant touch of jewelry for our meeting. After barely knowing each other? Was I reading too much into this, falling into my usual overthinking spiral? But something about it felt right, so I decided to trust that feeling.


    "So, Tris. Like the number three, or?" she asked, tilting her head curiously.


    This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon."Actually, it''s short for Trisananda," I admitted, feeling self-conscious. "It¡¯s funny; my father is black, but he still named me this way. Not like skin colour matters anyways. Just a fun fact I guess¡­"


    "Oh? Was he a fan of Sanskrit?" she asked, and my heart nearly stopped. Through my years of occult research, I''d delved deep into Sanskrit texts, discovering the ancient wisdom hidden in their syllables. Finding someone who recognized the origins of my name was like discovering a reasonably priced, rare collector''s edition figure in a forgotten Ebay page.


    "I''m... very surprised you know about Sanskrit. That''s awesome!"


    "Surprised? You don''t even know me!" she laughed, but her words struck something deep within me. That was just it¡ªI felt like I did know her, as if this wasn''t our first meeting but a reunion of sorts. Like maybe we''d been childhood friends who''d forgotten each other, or something even more profound that my occult studies hadn''t yet revealed to me.


    "True..." I let out a nervous laugh. "Can we change that though?" My heart hammered against my ribs as the words left my mouth. What was I doing?


    "Ooo, spicy," she teased, her expression playfully coy. "Isn''t that why we''re walking together here?" She raised an eyebrow that somehow managed to be both challenging and inviting.


    "Right, right," I conceded, and we continued our walk through the deepening twilight, each step feeling like we were moving not just through the cemetery, but into something vast and unknowable¡ªsomething I desperately wanted to explore.


    "So, tell me about your girlfriend." Her question came softly, wrapped in genuine curiosity rather than judgment. The way she asked made it seem both important and casual at once, as if she were trying to gauge something just beyond my understanding.


    "Ah, well sure. What do you want to know?"


    "Anything really. What comes to mind?"


    "Well..." My mind went completely blank, like a newly formatted hard drive. Everything about my girlfriend felt wrong to discuss, as if I were breaking some unwritten cosmic law that I''d only just become aware of. I wanted to talk about anything else¡ªthe meaning of life, the intricate plots of my favorite visual novels, the secrets of the universe¡ªanything but... "I don''t really love her."


    The words escaped before I could stop them, and my soul nearly left my body.


    "Oh? Oh ho ho? Did that just slip out?" Her voice carried no judgment, only a playful curiosity that somehow made this moment both better and worse. But more importantly¡ªdid I really just blurt that out?!


    "I want to die..." I sank to my knees, hugging them close like a defensive barrier against my own embarrassment. Steam was practically visible rising from my ears, and I couldn''t bring myself to meet her gaze. Despite her being the most breathtaking person I''d ever encountered¡ªand likely would ever encounter¡ªit felt like I was confessing this to my girlfriend herself. The emotions twisted through me like a live wire, making me nauseous as I spilled my deepest truth to this stranger who somehow felt anything but strange to my heart.


    She knelt beside me, carefully tucking her sundress against the evening breeze. As the sun painted the sky before us and darkness crept up from behind, time seemed to slow to a crawl. "Tris, it''s okay..." Her hand found my shoulder, and the contact sent electricity through my entire being. My otaku brain fired off a thousand possible scenarios while my heart performed gymnastics in my chest. Her flowery scent enveloped me like a spell. "I''m not perfect either, you know. Though I suppose you wouldn''t know because we just met each other..." Her laugh tinkled like wind chimes.


    I lifted my gaze to find her watching me with the most profound empathy I''d ever witnessed. Her aura seemed to envelope me completely¡ªI wouldn''t have looked away even if the cemetery exploded around us. She was transcendent. "Thank you. You''re..." The words stuck in my throat, as they often did in moments like these. My social awkwardness usually manifested in random outbursts followed by long silences, which explained why I had so few friends. It''s hard to connect when your values align with barely one percent of the population.


    "...in the same situation," she finished, as if reading my thoughts and feelings and covering for me.


    I was surprised. "What do you mean?" We stood together, and I became acutely aware of our physical differences. At six-foot-one and 230 pounds, I was a substantial presence, though well-proportioned with slim extremities and most of my weight carried in my thighs and rear. She barely reached my chest, her petite frame probably less than half my weight, the wind molding her sundress against her perfect form. Her porcelain skin contained no trace of blemishes, while my golden brown skin told a slightly different story. The way she had to look up to meet my eyes made my heart flutter. How could someone be so utterly perfect?


    "You see, I''m also in a relationship." Her voice turned introspective as she pulled a ring from somewhere¡ªa stunning piece that resembled a bedazzled wedding band.


    "Are you married?!" The question burst from me, carrying shock, surprise, and a hidden sadness I tried desperately to mask. But when I met her eyes, I saw a familiar melancholy there¡ªthe look of someone yearning for something different, not for change''s sake, but because the current path felt wrong. My resolve strengthened. I couldn''t give up yet.


    "No, not married yet, just engaged. But..." Her voice trailed off as her body seemed to sink beneath the weight of unspoken words.


    Acting on pure instinct, I gripped her shoulders gently and looked into her eyes. She didn''t pull away but allowed the contact, her gaze meeting mine. "...it doesn''t feel right," I finished her thought, feeling a flash of pride that I quickly suppressed in favor of being fully present for her. Something deep within urged me to listen more intently than I ever had before.


    Her expression shifted from melancholy to surprise and recognition, and I wondered what was happening behind those mesmerizing eyes. What thoughts were crossing her mind? What was her soul trying to tell mine? "Yeah. It doesn''t feel right."


    I released her shoulders and fidgeted slightly, processing everything. Without thinking, I slipped my ring off and tucked it into my pocket.


    "You know how it is..." she said softly.


    "Yeah, yeah, I do." Though she''d barely said anything concrete, it felt like we''d shared an entire conversation through our mere presence, our auras resonating in perfect understanding.


    She glanced behind us at the encroaching darkness. "Hey Tris, it''s getting a bit late and I didn''t realize the darkness would lock us in. Wanna call it a night and meet again tomorrow?" My heart leaped at the suggestion.


    "I would love to," I replied, not bothering to hide my blush. I was determined to unravel this mystery, whatever the cost. "Same time?"


    "Yeah, same time. Oh, also can I get your number?" she asked. I noticed she had neither purse nor pockets visible.


    "Um, yeah sure. Do you... have your phone on you?" I asked, confused.


    "Nah, I don''t, but I''ll remember it, don''t worry," she responded with a smile that pierced straight through my heart.


    "Ah," I said, tapping my head in acknowledgment of her confidence. I recited my number, and the moment I finished the last digit, she took off running. Not a casual jog, but a full sprint out of the cemetery, her form perfect even in flight. I stood there, equal parts bewildered and amused, admiring both the absurdity of the moment and the grace of her departure. The fact that she''d asked for my number filled me with the same excitement I''d felt when first discovering the deeper mysteries of spirituality and the occult. Now I had a new mystery to solve, and nothing in this world or any other would stop me from unraveling it.

 Is This...Right?

    ¡ªAugust 2nd, 2025 - Night¡ª


    I lay in bed, staring at my phone screen while Sarah slept beside me. The brightness was turned all the way down, and I''d angled myself away from her¡ªa precaution that made me feel both clever and ashamed. My heart nearly stopped when an unknown number lit up my screen.


    Unknown: Made it home safe! Though I probably shouldn''t have run in sandals ??


    I quickly saved the number under "E" and responded, trying to ignore how my hands were shaking.


    Me: That was quite the exit! I was worried you''d trip in the dark


    E: Nah, I know that cemetery like the back of my hand E: Plus I felt bad for making you stand in the dark when you''re scared of it¡­


    I blinked at my screen. I hadn''t told her I was afraid of the dark. Had I? Maybe I''d mentioned it without thinking.


    Me: How did you know that?


    E: Lucky guess? You seemed tense when the sun was setting E: Or maybe I can read minds ??


    My pulse quickened. After years of studying the occult, I knew better than to dismiss such comments as mere jokes. But before I could pursue that thread, she sent another message.


    E: So what are you doing right now?


    Me: Just lying in bed Me: Sarah''s asleep


    I hesitated before sending that second message. It felt wrong to mention Sarah to Eli, but somehow even more wrong not to acknowledge her existence.


    E: Ah E: My fianc¨¦''s working late again E: Third time this weekUnauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    The ellipsis appeared and disappeared several times before her next message came through.


    E: Is it bad that I''m glad?


    My throat tightened. I knew exactly what she meant¡ªthat guilty relief when your partner''s absence lets you breathe easier.


    Me: No Me: I get it Me: I''ve been taking more cemetery walks lately for the same reason


    Sarah shifted beside me, and I froze. But she just rolled over, still deep in sleep. I realized I was holding my breath and slowly let it out.


    E: We''re kind of terrible people, aren''t we?


    I stared at her message for a long moment. The otaku part of me wanted to reference how many anime protagonists found themselves in similar situations, torn between duty and desire. But this wasn''t anime. This was real life, with real people who could really get hurt.


    Me: Maybe Me: But something about this feels...different Me: Like it''s bigger than just us being unfaithful


    E: I know exactly what you mean E: It''s like... E: Have you ever had a dream that felt more real than reality?


    My heart skipped. I''d had countless conversations about dreams and reality during my occult studies, but never with someone who seemed to understand instinctively.


    Me: Yes! It''s like that Me: Like maybe this is what reality is supposed to feel like Me: And everything else has been the dream


    E: Tris?


    Me: Yeah?


    E: I''m scared


    Me: Of what?


    E: Of how right this feels E: When it should feel wrong


    I glanced at Sarah''s sleeping form, guilt and certainty wrestling in my chest.


    Me: Me too Me: But I don''t want to stop


    E: Good E: Because I don''t either E: I should go to sleep though. Early meeting tomorrow ??


    Me: Yeah, I should sleep too Me: See you tomorrow?


    E: Same time, same place ?? E: Sweet dreams, Tris


    Me: Sweet dreams, Eli


    I stared at our conversation for a long time after that, until my eyes burned from the light. Then I deleted it all, knowing I''d remember every word anyway. As I set my phone aside, I noticed my promise ring still sitting in my pocket where I''d put it during our walk. I should put it back on. I should end whatever this was before it went too far.


    Instead, I placed it in my bedside drawer and turned off the lamp. In the darkness that I usually feared, I found myself smiling, already counting the hours until tomorrow''s cemetery walk. Whatever this thing with Eli was¡ªfate, magic, or something far stranger¡ªit felt like waking up from a long sleep.


    And I wasn''t ready to stop dreaming yet.

 Two Souls Perched On the Edge of Destruction

    ¡ªAugust 3rd, 2025¡ª


    I arrived early again, my heart pounding as I saw her already waiting by our usual spot. She wore a black skirt and a purple top today, her hair in a loose braid that caught the evening light. My promise ring sat heavy in my pocket¡ªI hadn''t put it back on since yesterday.


    "Tell me about your passions," she said instead of hello, her eyes intense with genuine interest. "What makes your soul come alive?"


    The directness of her question caught me off guard, but in a good way. No small talk, no dancing around¡ªjust straight to the heart of things. "Honestly? Manga and anime are huge parts of my life," I admitted, waiting for the usual dismissive reaction. "But beyond that, I''ve spent years studying the occult, trying to understand the hidden threads that connect everything."


    "What drew you to that?" She sat down on a nearby bench, and I took a seat too, leaving respectful space between us. "The occult studies, I mean."


    "I''ve always felt like there''s more to reality than what most people see. Like we''re all living in a story that''s being written as we go, but some of us can peek behind the pages."


    "And what do you see when you peek?" Her question was barely above a whisper.


    "Patterns. Connections. Things that shouldn''t make sense but do." I glanced at her. "Like how I knew your name before you told me yesterday, even though that''s impossible."


    She turned to face me fully, her eyes widening. "You did?"


    "Yeah. Just like you knew I was afraid of the dark without me telling you." I paused, gathering my thoughts. "Actually, about last night... when you said we were terrible people. I wanted to say something then, but couldn''t find the words."


    She hugged her knees to her chest, waiting for me to continue.


    "I don''t think we''re terrible at all," I said. "I''ve studied enough mystical traditions to know that sometimes what looks like destruction from the outside is actually deliverance. What society calls ''wrong'' isn''t always what the universe considers wrong."


    "Tell me more," she said, her eyes fixed on mine, her unease dissolving.


    "Last night, you asked if I''d ever had a dream that felt more real than reality. Well, what if that feeling isn''t just a metaphor? What if there are forces bigger than social conventions, bigger than our carefully planned lives?" I gestured at the cemetery around us. "We met here of all places¡ªwhere the veil between worlds is thinnest. That can''t be coincidence."


    "No," she agreed softly. "It wasn''t." She looked down at her hands, where her engagement ring should have been. "What about you?" she asked. "What made you accept this life you''re living now?"


    I watched a crow land on a nearby headstone before answering. "Fear of being alone, mostly. Fear of disappointing everyone. When you''re different¡ªwhen you see the world differently¡ªpeople either think you''re crazy or trying to be special." I let out a dry laugh. "It''s easier to just... conform. To nod and smile and pretend you don''t see the cracks in everything."


    "The cracks?" She leaned forward slightly.


    "Yeah. Like... reality isn''t as solid as everyone thinks. The cracks¡ªthe cosmic giggles. Sometimes I''ll be doing something totally normal¡ªgrocery shopping or waiting for the bus¡ªand insane synchronicities would just pop up out of nowhere. Conversations between random people that were relevant to my life. Situations that I swear I¡¯d dreamed up the previous night. Numbers that are trying to deliver messages. And it never stops, you know." I glanced at her, waiting for the look people usually gave me when I talked like this. But her eyes were bright with recognition.


    "I know exactly what you mean," she said. "It''s like...we¡¯re all one thing, and everyone''s playing a game, but they''ve forgotten it''s a game. And when you try to point it out¡ª"


    "They think you''re the one who''s lost touch with reality," I finished.


    She nodded, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Is that why you stayed with Sarah? To feel... anchored?"


    "Partly. But also because it was expected. Graduate university, get a job, find a girlfriend, move in together. Follow the script." I pulled the promise ring from my pocket, turning it over in my hands. "Tomorrow''s her birthday. Her parents are expecting an announcement at dinner."


    "Oh." Her voice was soft. "And will there be one?"


    Thunder rumbled in the distance, though the sky had been clear moments ago. I looked up, watching dark clouds gather with unnatural speed. "I don''t think I can do it anymore. Pretend. Play the role. It''s like... have you ever read a manga where the protagonist suddenly realizes they''re living a lie? And once they see it, they can''t unsee it?"


    "What do you see now, Tris?" Her question carried weight beyond its simple words.


    "I see that I''ve been sleepwalking. That maybe we all have. But now..." I met her gaze. "Now I''m awake. And I can''t go back to sleep just because it would be more convenient for everyone else."


    The first drops of rain began to fall, fat and heavy. Neither of us moved to leave.


    Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site."Sometimes," she said, her voice nearly lost in the growing storm, "the kindest thing you can do is burn everything down. Not out of hatred or anger, but because the old structure needs to fall before something true can grow."


    A flash of lightning illuminated her face, and for a moment¡ªjust a moment¡ªI thought I saw something else there. Something ancient and knowing. Something that made my years of occult research feel like kindergarten finger-painting.


    "I think," I said slowly, "I''m about to burn my whole life down."


    She smiled, and it was both beautiful and terrible. "Good," she said. "Let it burn."


    The storm broke over us in earnest then, but we sat there in the growing darkness, two souls perched on the edge of destruction, watching the rain wash away the world we''d pretended to belong to.


    The rain had completely soaked us within seconds. We just sat there, looking at each other as water poured onto our hair and clothes, and suddenly burst out laughing. The absurdity of the moment, the perfect timing of the storm¡ªit felt like the universe itself was in on some cosmic joke.


    "My mom''s place is just a few blocks from here," I said between chuckles, wiping rain from my eyes. "We could dry off there, if you want."


    Eli pushed her wet braid away from her face, her eyes sparkling with something I couldn''t quite read. "Lead the way."


    We half-ran, half-walked through the deluge, splashing through puddles like kids. The streets were empty¡ªeveryone else had been smart enough to seek shelter when the storm hit. I couldn''t remember the last time I''d felt this alive.


    "Mom''s working late tonight," I explained as I unlocked the front door. "She''s a nurse at St. Michael''s." The house was dark and quiet, exactly as she always left it. Even after moving out, I still had a key¡ªmom insisted, saying a mother''s home should always be open to her child.


    I flicked on the lights and grabbed some towels from the bathroom. When I returned, Eli was standing in the living room, studying the family photos on the wall with intense interest.


    "Is this you?" she asked, pointing to a picture of pudgy ten-year-old me clutching a volume of One Piece.


    "Yeah," I laughed, handing her a towel. "Some things never change, I guess."


    She dried her hair, still looking at the photos. "You look happy there. Unguarded." Her voice had that strange, knowing quality again. "When did you start wearing the mask?"


    I knew exactly what she meant. There was a clear progression in the photos¡ªfrom the beaming kid with manga to the increasingly reserved teenager, to the carefully composed adult photos with Sarah. "High school, probably. When I realized being myself wasn''t... acceptable."


    "And now?" She turned to face me, the towel draped around her shoulders.


    "Now I''m standing in my mother''s house with a girl I barely know, feeling more real than I have in years." The words came out before I could filter them.


    She smiled, but her eyes were serious. "Do you really barely know me, though?"


    "That''s the crazy thing, isn''t it?" I thought about sitting down on the couch, but I caught myself, remembering that my clothes were still wet and my mother hates mess. However, the familiar setting somehow felt different with Eli¡¯s presence. Lighter. Brighter. "I feel like I''ve known you forever. Like I''ve been looking for you without realizing it."


    Lightning flashed outside, illuminating the room in stark white.


    "Your mother''s spiritual," Eli said suddenly. It wasn''t a question.


    "How did you¡ª" I started, then followed her gaze to the subtle signs around the room: the small Buddha statue in the corner, the crystal hanging in the window, the books on meditation partially hidden on the shelves, the unrelenting mandala designs all over everything. "Yeah. She''s the one who first got me interested in looking beyond the surface of things. Indirectly, though. She has her own way of saying little but meaning a lot."


    "And what does she think about Sarah?"


    I let out a long breath. "She''s never said anything directly, but... I think she knows. That it''s not right." I looked up at Eli. "She always says that the universe has a way of course-correcting when we''ve strayed from our true path."


    "Like sending a storm," Eli mused, "or arranging a collision in a cemetery."


    The rain drummed against the windows, creating a cocoon of sound around us. The house felt different with her in it, like reality itself was bending slightly around her presence. She had a gravity to her that was unmistakably noticeable. And there was a part of me that decided then and there that no one else would have Eli but me.


    "I should probably text Sarah," I said, not moving to do so. "Let her know I got caught in the rain."


    Before Eli could respond, the sound of keys jingling at the front door made us both freeze. My heart leaped into my throat.


    "Tris? You left the door unlocked agai-" Mom''s voice called out as she opened the door, then stopped abruptly as she saw us: two dripping wet twenty-somethings looking like deer caught in headlights. Her eyes moved from me to Eli, then to the towels, then back to me. I could practically see the gears turning in her head.


    "Hi Mom," I managed weakly. "You''re... home early."


    In came a middle-aged Caucasian woman who was only a few inches taller than Eli. She had wavy brown hair and dark green eyes that held wisdom far beyond her years. "Emergency response training got canceled," she said slowly, her nurse''s badge still swinging from her lanyard. A knowing smile started to creep across her face. "And who might this be?"


    "This is Eli," I said, my mind racing. "We got caught in the storm and¡ª"


    "I''m not Sarah," Eli cut in with disarming directness. The kind of directness that either ends in disaster or... something else entirely.


    To my utter shock, Mom''s smile widened. She set down her bags and looked at Eli with an intensity I recognized from my childhood¡ªthe same look she got when reading tea leaves or interpreting dreams.


    "No," Mom said thoughtfully. "You''re certainly not." She glanced at my hand, noticing the missing ring, then back at Eli''s left hand which also bore no ring. "Would either of you like some tea?"


    I stared at my mother, baffled by her reaction. This wasn''t how I expected her to react to finding their child with someone who wasn''t their long-term partner. But then again, my mother had always seen things... differently; like me.


    "Tea would be lovely," Eli replied, and I swear something passed between them¡ªsome unspoken understanding that I couldn''t quite grasp.


    "Jasmine or chamomile?" Mom asked, already moving to the kitchen.


    "Jasmine," they said in unison, then looked at each other in surprise.


    Mom''s laugh drifted from the kitchen. "I''ll put on a pot. Tris, honey, there are some dry clothes in your old room if your friend needs something to change into."


    I sat there, stunned by the surreal turn of events. Here was my mother, not only unfazed by finding me alone with a woman who wasn''t my girlfriend but actively making tea for us. The universe really did have a twisted sense of humor.


    "I like your mom," Eli whispered, her eyes twinkling with amusement.


    "Yeah," I whispered back, "I think she likes you too." Then, louder: "Mom, we should probably¡ª"


    "Oh no you don''t," Mom called from the kitchen. "The storm''s getting worse and I want to hear how you two met. In the cemetery, I''m guessing?"


    Eli and I exchanged shocked looks.


    "How did she¡ª" I started.


    "Know that?" Eli finished.


    Mom appeared in the doorway, holding three steaming cups of tea, that familiar mystical gleam in her eye. "Some things," she said with a smile that mirrored Eli''s knowing looks, "a mother just knows."


    The storm raged on outside, but somehow I felt like I''d just stepped into its eye.

 Break the Mold

    ¡ªAugust 4th, 2025¡ª


    Sarah''s ringtone jolted me awake at 7 AM. I fumbled for my phone, my mind still swimming with images from last night¡ªMom''s knowing smiles over steaming tea cups, the way the storm seemed to pause just long enough for Eli to leave.


    I answered my phone.


    "Happy birthday to meee!" Sarah''s voice sang through the speaker. "Are you ready for today? I''m so excited!"


    "Yeah, of course," I managed, my throat tight. "Happy birthday."


    As Sarah rattled off the day''s schedule, my phone buzzed with a text. Eli.


    E: Your mom is amazing. "The universe doesn''t make mistakes, dear. It only makes introductions." ??


    I smiled, remembering Mom''s cryptic comments after Eli had left. She''d watched her walk away through the rain, then turned to me with that look she got when reading particularly significant tea leaves. "Sometimes the right path isn''t the easy one, Tris. But it''s always worth taking."


    "Tris? Are you listening?" Sarah''s voice cut through my thoughts.


    "Sorry, yeah. Pick up the cake at 10, then decorations."


    "Don''t forget to wear that blue shirt I got you. The one that matches my dress!"


    Another text came through as I agreed:


    E: Dodging another wedding planning session. Future MIL wants to discuss flower arrangements. Kill me now. E: Last night felt...right. Like finally finding the correct piece in a puzzle you''ve been struggling with forever.


    "I''ll pick you up in an hour," I told Sarah, ending the call. I stared at Eli''s text, my fingers hovering over the keyboard.


    Me: I know exactly what you mean. Mom hasn''t stopped smiling since you left.


    E: She saw it too, didn''t she? The thing between us? E: Also your mom makes the best jasmine tea I''ve ever had. The way she just KNEW that''s what I wanted...


    I remembered that moment¡ªMom and Eli saying "Jasmine" in perfect unison, then that look passing between them. Like they shared some secret I wasn''t privy to yet.


    The promise ring sat on my bedside table where I''d left it last night. I picked it up, its weight familiar yet suddenly foreign in my hand. Sarah would notice if I wasn''t wearing it today.


    E: How are you holding up?


    Me: Honestly? I feel like I''m about to star in a play I never agreed to be in.


    E: I know the feeling. Been staring at my engagement ring all morning. E: That hug goodbye last night... I haven''t stopped thinking about it.


    Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.Neither had I. It had lasted perhaps a few seconds too long to be casual, her head fitting perfectly under my chin, her scent mixing with the atmosphere. Mom had watched from the doorway, her expression soft and sad and knowing all at once.


    My doorbell rang¡ªSarah, early as always. I quickly typed:


    Me: Sarah''s here. We''re getting party supplies.


    E: Good luck. Remember what your mom said about the universe and introductions? E: I don''t think we met by accident, Tris.


    I slipped the promise ring on my finger just as Sarah knocked on my apartment door. It felt heavier than ever, like it was made of lead instead of silver.


    "Sorry Tris, I was just too excited to wait. Ready for the best birthday ever?" Sarah beamed as I opened the door. She was already wearing her new blue dress, excited as a kid on Christmas morning.


    "Ready," I lied, following her to her car.


    My phone buzzed one last time:


    E: Whatever happens today, know you''re not alone in feeling this way. E: Some masks are meant to crack.


    I stared at her words until Sarah asked me to navigate to the bakery, then tucked my phone away. The day stretched ahead like a tightrope, and I was already wobbling.


    The restaurant Sarah had chosen was exactly like her¡ªmainstream, carefully coordinated, and aggressively normal. Blue and silver balloons decorated every surface, matching her dress perfectly. Her parents had reserved the entire back room, and I could see them through the window, arranging gift bags with military precision.


    My phone buzzed one last time before I had to go in:


    E: At my dress fitting. The seamstress keeps talking about "the perfect day." E: I keep thinking about running. E: Are you at the party yet?


    Me: About to go in. Her parents are here. Me: I feel sick.


    E: Whatever happens tonight, remember you''re not alone in this.


    "There''s my baby girl!" Sarah''s mom called out as we entered, rushing over to envelop her daughter in a hug. She gave me a meaningful look over Sarah''s shoulder. "And Tris! We''re so glad you could make it."


    The weight behind those words was unmistakable. Sarah''s father approached, clapping me on the shoulder. "Big night, son," he said with a wink that made my stomach turn.


    The next hour passed in a blur of rehearsed smiles and small talk. Sarah''s college friends arrived in a gaggle of identical summer dresses and carefully crafted Instagram poses. Her younger sister kept glancing at my pocket, probably expecting to see a ring box outline. The promise ring felt like it was burning against my skin.


    "Speech time!" Sarah''s mom announced, tapping her glass with a spoon. "Who wants to go first?"


    Several people stood up to share stories about Sarah¡ªher kindness, her determination, her perfect wedding Pinterest board she''d been curating since high school. Each word felt like another brick being stacked on my chest.


    "Tris?" Sarah''s dad called out. "Surely you have something special to say?"


    The room fell silent. Every eye turned to me. Sarah looked up expectantly, hope shining in her eyes. This was the moment¡ªthe one her parents had been building toward all night. The perfect birthday surprise.


    I stood up slowly, my legs shaking. The words I was supposed to say sat like ash on my tongue. I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. The silence stretched.


    My phone vibrated in my pocket. Without thinking, I pulled it out.


    E: I just told my fianc¨¦ I need some air. E: I can''t breathe in this perfect life anymore. E: I keep thinking about your mom''s words. About the universe making introductions.


    "Tris?" Sarah''s voice pulled me back. "Is everything okay?"


    I looked around the room¡ªat the matching decorations, at Sarah''s parents'' expectant faces, at the life they''d all planned out for us. It was like watching a movie of someone else''s happiness.


    "I..." My voice cracked. "I need to use the bathroom."


    I practically ran from the table, Sarah''s mom''s voice floating after me: "Don''t be too long! We haven''t even cut the cake yet!"


    In my pocket, my phone buzzed again:


    E: I''m at the cemetery. E: I don''t know where else to go.


    The bathroom door closed behind me with a final-sounding click. I stared at myself in the mirror, at the blue shirt that matched Sarah''s dress, at the promise ring that felt like a handcuff, at the stranger wearing my face.


    Something was about to break. I could feel it coming, like the pressure before a storm.


    Like the universe making introductions.

 You

    I didn''t remember leaving the restaurant. One moment I was staring at my reflection, and the next I was walking¡ªno, running¡ªthrough the darkening streets. I didn''t even grab my jacket. The promise ring sat abandoned on the bathroom counter, like a snake that had finally shed its skin.


    My feet carried me to the cemetery on instinct. The iron gates creaked as I pushed through them, the sound echoing in the empty space. This place had become more home to me than anywhere else lately.


    The tears started somewhere between the Wilson family plot and the old oak tree. At first just silent drops, then quiet sobs that shook my shoulders. I hadn''t cried like this since I was a kid. All the pressure, all the pretending, all the perfect smiles¡ªit all came flooding out.


    "I can''t do it anymore," I whispered to the gravestones. "I can''t keep pretending."


    My phone had been buzzing continuously in my pocket. Sarah, her parents, probably even her sister. I couldn''t bear to look at it. Instead, I walked deeper into the cemetery, letting the familiar paths blur through my tears.


    The weight of disappointing everyone crushed down on me. Sarah''s broken heart. Her parents'' disappointment. The whispers and judgment that would follow. Five years of relationship, gone. A future everyone had planned out for me, up in smoke.


    "BOO!"


    Small arms wrapped around me from behind, and I didn''t even flinch. I knew those arms. That cherry blossom scent. I turned around, not even trying to hide my tears anymore.


    Eli stood there in a half-buttoned wedding dress, mascara streaked down her cheeks. She''d been crying too.


    "You look ridiculous," I said, my voice breaking on a laugh-sob.


    "You should see the veil. I left it hanging on a tree somewhere between here and the bridal shop." She wiped at her cheeks, smearing the mascara more. "I couldn''t breathe in there, Tris. They were all talking about the perfect day, the perfect life, the perfect future, and I just... ran."


    "I left the promise ring in the restaurant bathroom," I confessed. "Sarah''s birthday party... everyone was waiting for me to propose. Her dad kept winking at me. I couldn''t... I couldn''t..."


    "I know." She stepped closer, and I saw she''d been running too¡ªher hair wild, her bare feet dirty. "I know exactly what you mean. They''re probably still at the shop, wondering where the bride went."


    The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.We stood there in the growing darkness, two people who''d just blown up their lives, surrounded by the quiet understanding of the dead.


    "My phone won''t stop buzzing," I said.


    "Mine''s in my purse. Which is... somewhere. I think I left it at the shop too." She looked down at the wedding dress. "Along with my dignity, apparently."


    "You still look beautiful," I said without thinking. Because she did¡ªmascara-stained and disheveled and real in a way that the perfect party decorations could never be.


    Fresh tears spilled from her eyes. "Why did we wait so long to walk away?"


    "Because we were trying to be what everyone else wanted." I reached out and wiped a tear from her cheek, leaving another mascara smudge. "Because we thought that was what we were supposed to do."


    "Your mom was right," she whispered. "About the universe making introductions."


    We stood there in the cemetery, crying and laughing and understanding each other completely. No masks, no pretending, no perfect smiles. Just us, exactly as we were.


    We ended up sitting on a low stone wall, our shoulders touching. Eli had wrapped her arms around herself, shivering slightly in the wedding dress. Without a word, I pulled off my blue shirt¡ªthe one that matched Sarah''s dress¡ªand draped it over her shoulders, leaving myself in just a t-shirt.


    "What happens now?" I asked, staring at the darkened gravestones. "We can''t go back."


    "No," she agreed softly. "We can''t."


    A warm breeze rustled through the trees, carrying the faint scent of rain. Not storm-rain like yesterday, but something gentler. Cleansing.


    "We could run away," she said suddenly. "Just... leave. Start over somewhere new."


    I turned to look at her. In the fading light, with my too-big shirt over her half-worn wedding dress, she looked both vulnerable and powerful. Like a goddess deciding whether to keep her divinity or trade it all for something real.


    "Is that even possible?" My voice was barely a whisper. "Where would we go?"


    "Anywhere. Everywhere." She turned to face me fully. "We could figure it out together. Your mom would understand¡ªI think she already does. We could..."


    She trailed off, but I heard the unspoken words. We could be ourselves. We could be free. We could be real.


    "They''ll look for us," I said, but it wasn''t really a protest.


    "Let them look." She stood up, my shirt sliding off one shoulder. "Tris... when was the last time you did something because you wanted to, not because it was expected?"


    I thought about all my careful choices, all the times I''d chosen safety over truth. The girlfriend who matched my resume but not my soul. The life that looked perfect in photographs but felt hollow inside.


    "What about money? Jobs? All the practical things?"


    "We''ll figure it out." She held out her hand to me. "The real question is... is there anything, or anyone, you would risk it all for?"


    The cemetery fell silent, as if every spirit there was holding its breath. The question hung in the air between us, heavy with meaning. With possibility. With terror and hope and something that felt ancient and new all at once.


    I looked at her hand, still extended toward me. At the empty ring finger that matched my own. At the face I somehow knew better than anyone''s, despite meeting her just days ago.


    The answer came from somewhere deeper than thought, deeper than reason, deeper than fear.


    It was love. I took her hand.


    "You."

 No Turning Back Now

    ¡ªAugust 4th, 2025 - Night¡ª


    We had nowhere to go. Or at least we thought we didn''t. Naturally, we went to the only place that would welcome us with open arms: my mother''s house. The walk there was emotional, to say the least. We''d both just completely destroyed our old paradigms and were heading into a brave new world of novelty and unknown. We were shaken, but as I was quickly learning, Eli and I worked incredibly well together. Our ability to be each other''s emotional anchor, even after just a few days of knowing each other, was second to none. Unlike our old relationships, we filled each other''s cups naturally, effortlessly.


    When we arrived at Mom''s, it was dark. The adrenaline from the day was finally wearing off, and I''d grown so fed up with my phone''s endless buzzing that I finally turned it off and shoved it in my pocket.


    "Well hello, my distinguished mold breakers!" Mom greeted us with a knowing smile. "How happy I am to see you two back so soon!"


    "I appreciate the optimism but I''m not really in the¡ª"


    She cut me off. "Do you know how many calls I''ve received tonight asking if you were okay?"


    "Mom, please, I know. Can we just¡ª"


    "Alright, alright, I understand." She backed off, and I noticed that something smelled amazing. "Dinner''s on the stove. I''ll be watching my shows on the couch if you need me. You two make yourselves comfortable. But no rough housing, alright? I have that meeting tomorrow. Let me go get a wet cloth for Eli¡¯s feet!"


    Relief flooded through me at my mother''s grace, and I finally felt my breathing regulate. I noticed Eli hadn''t said a word since we arrived. When I looked over at her, she seemed almost in a trance. "Hi."


    "Hey," she replied with a soft smile that couldn''t quite hide her exhaustion. I could read behind that expression¡ªshe was tired, drained, probably feeling like complete shit honestly.


    We shed our things at the front entrance. Mom must have noticed our puffy faces, the running makeup, and Eli''s wedding dress¡ªnot to mention the hundreds of texts she''d probably received from Sarah¡¯s family¡ªbut none of that mattered right now. We were safe, warm, and housed. That was all I needed to know in this moment.The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.


    "My old room''s downstairs," I said. "Follow me."


    The familiar scent of incense hit us as we descended to the basement, bringing back a rush of memories¡ªgood, bad, beautiful, awkward. I was too tired to either cringe or feel nostalgic.


    "Is that... sandalwood?" Eli asked as we made our way down.


    "Yeah, nice isn''t it? She loves the stuff."


    "Me too. It reminds me of my mother."


    "Oh really? I wonder what else we have in common." We shared a tired giggle as we reached the basement floor. When I opened my bedroom door, I had to smile. "Good as new. Thanks, Mom." She really knew how to maintain a house¡ªthe room was immaculate, not a speck of dust, everything exactly as I''d left it three years ago.


    Eli immediately collapsed onto the bed with a long sigh of relief. "Mmmm my feet huuurt."


    "I can''t imagine walking this long barefoot. God. I wish I could have carried you, but I lost my last ounce of strength a few hours ago, if I''m being honest."


    "It''s okay. This bed smells so good." She buried her face in the comforter, her expression melting into one of pure contentment. "It smells like you, Tris." She gave me a playful side-eye that made me blush and look away shyly.


    "Aw shucks," I joked in an exaggerated accent, remembering to close the door. "I really like your scent too. What is it? Cherry blossom?"


    "Is that what you smell?" She struggled to sit up, using what looked like her last reserves of energy. I settled cross-legged on the floor in front of her. "People always say I just naturally smell good. I don''t use any fragrances."


    I stared at her in disbelief. "What do you mean you don''t use fragrances? But you smell so good. Every time I''ve met you, there were immediate floral tones entering my sensory holes."


    "Sensory holes..." she laughed, tired but genuine. "Yeah man, honest to god I just smell good. I don''t know what to say."


    "Amazing." I looked into her eyes, struck again by how she could look so beautiful even completely exhausted. She still wore the wedding dress, her feet were dirty from walking barefoot, and mascara was smeared across her cheeks¡ªand somehow she was still the most captivating thing I''d ever seen. "We have a bathroom down here by the way. It''s more than okay if you want to use it¡ª" I turned to point behind me, but when I looked back, she was already asleep.


    "Huh. Beautiful even when she sleeps." I took a moment to really look at her. She¡¯s reliable under stress, willing to take unthinkable risks when her heart is set on something, and she¡¯s cute as all heck. And I thought to myself: yup, she is best girl, undeniably.


    I passed out right there on the floor, too tired to think, too tired to move. The lights were still on, but it didn''t matter. I had Eli with me, and that''s all my little heart cared about right now. The rest could wait.

 Try Cold Water On It

    ¡ªAugust 5th, 2025¡ª


    I wake up first and see Eli still sleeping on the bed, the light still on from last night. The first thing that crosses my mind isn''t the chaos we left behind¡ªit''s just how perfect she looks sleeping there. Then, like a tidal wave, everything else crashes in: Sarah, Sarah''s family, Eli''s fianc¨¦. The weight of it all threatens to overwhelm me.


    Quietly, I turn off the lights, leaving only the natural glow from the small window at the top of the room that peeks into the backyard. I approach the door¡ªthe one that''s notorious for its loud squeaking¡ªand ease it open. To my surprise, it stays silent. "Thank you," I whisper, and I swear it lets out a tiny squeak in response, like a "you''re welcome."


    In the bathroom, I find myself staring at my reflection. Instead of the expected anxiety, a strange calm washes over me. It''s like looking at a new person who''s still dealing with the remnants of their old self¡ªlike a snake that''s just shed its skin but hasn''t quite adjusted to the new one. But that''s okay. Everything''s okay, because Eli''s here. For some reason I can''t explain, her presence makes everything feel manageable.


    My eyes drift to my bare hand, noticing how liberated it feels without the ring. Good riddance, I think to myself. I strip off my clothes and step into the standing shower with its opaque glass panels. I''m tall enough that I can almost see over the top, but not quite. Just as I''m going through my usual shower routine¡ªspecifically, while I''m cleaning my more sensitive areas¡ªEli walks in.


    She doesn''t knock. Doesn''t hesitate. Just walks right in like she owns the place, but wearing my oversized blue shirt from yesterday. It hangs on her like a dress, and even through the frosted glass, I can tell she''s moving with that effortless grace that seems to follow her everywhere.


    "Morning," she yawns, stretching her arms above her head. The scent that''s uniquely hers fills the small bathroom space, mixing with the steam.


    I freeze, one hand still awkwardly positioned. "Uh... hi?"


    She picks up my toothbrush¡ªmy actual toothbrush¡ªand starts using it like it''s the most natural thing in the world. "Hope you don''t mind," she says through a mouthful of toothpaste. "I forgot mine at the bridal shop. Along with, you know, everything else."


    "No, that''s... that''s fine." I''m still frozen in place, unsure of the proper protocol for this situation. Is there even a protocol for when the girl you ran away with yesterday uses your toothbrush while you''re naked in the shower?The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    She spits into the sink. "You can keep washing your balls, you know. I promise I won''t peek." There''s laughter in her voice, and I can see her outline shaking with silent giggles.


    "I wasn''t¡ªI mean, I was just¡ª" I sputter, but then I hear her laughing outright, and somehow that breaks the tension. I find myself laughing too, the sound echoing off the bathroom tiles.


    "You''re impossible, you know that?"


    "Impossibly perfect," she corrects, and I can hear the smile in her voice. "That''s what you were thinking when you woke up, right? I could feel it in my dreams."


    I almost drop the soap. "How did you¡ª"


    "Just a guess," she says innocently, but there''s something in her tone that makes me wonder. "Also, your mom''s making breakfast. I can smell the coffee from here. Think we should go up soon?"


    The normality of it all¡ªher using my toothbrush, talking about breakfast, teasing me about my shower habits¡ªhits me suddenly. Less than twenty-four hours ago, we were both engaged to other people. Now here we are, sharing a bathroom like we''ve done it a thousand times before.


    And the craziest part? It feels right. All of it. Even the awkward parts.


    "Don''t you want to shower?" I ask, suddenly remembering she''s still in yesterday''s clothes.


    Time seems to slow down as she starts casually removing her clothes¡ªjust my oversized shirt and her underwear. My entire body feels like it''s on fire, mind running a thousand simulations at once despite being simultaneously embarrassed, shy, turned on, and completely flabbergasted.


    "What are you doing?" I finally manage to sputter. "I meant after me!"


    "Oh, right!" She gathers her clothes and moves to the corner. I can barely make out her silhouette through the frosted glass.


    "What are you doing over there?"


    "I covered up my stuff and closed my eyes," she explains matter-of-factly. "This way you can dry off and leave the bathroom."


    My jaw nearly hits the shower floor. This girl is... unexplainable. But something about this absurd situation makes me laugh despite myself. Though now I have another problem to deal with¡ªmy body is responding to her presence in a way that''s becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.


    After a moment, Eli''s voice pipes up: "Try cold water on it."


    "What¡ªhow do you¡ª" I sputter. "Are your eyes really closed?"


    "Mhmm," she hums innocently.


    I trust her completely, somehow knowing she''s telling the truth. Her intuition is wickedly good, which both terrifies and reassures me. I''ve always wanted to be with someone like this¡ªsomeone who just knows things without seeing them. I thought I had decent intuition, but Eli''s on another level entirely.


    "You know what?" Her voice cuts through my thoughts. "This is silly. We literally ran away from our engagements yesterday. Left absolute chaos in our wake. Broke everyone''s hearts. What''s a little nudity between two people who''ve already torn down every other social convention?"


    Before I can process what she''s saying, she''s opening the shower door. My heart nearly stops.