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“Lia,” he groans.
“Fine, I’ll follow my dreams. For real this time.”
“Thank you.”
“Yep.” I take a move out of Rennix’s play book, cracking my knuckles. Except when Rennix does it it’s from him lying or fear. I’m doing it as a means of biting my tongue. Or I’m trying to. That’s proving to be difficult with him catching on.
The bubble I’ve thrust myself into dissipates as he asks, “What’s on your mind?”
What’s not on my mind? I think that’s a better question.
Resisting the urge to say something snarky I opt for what’s at the top of my mind. “I want you with me.”
The words slice through my throat as I speak them into existence.
“I am.”
“Yeah, until the charge runs out. I can only hope I still have my old iPod charger at my mom’s house. And if I don’t I’m screwed. I wish…”
Oh my god, that’s it.
Flashes of the instant messenger conversation left in the envelope come to me.
GaM3b0y90: Pick a number. Any number.
MaLL_Babe90: 100
GaM3b0y90: Too high. Pick something no higher than ninety.
MaLL_Babe90: Seriously? You’re making me pick again for a range maxing out at ten less than what I chose?
GaM3b0y90: Yep. Go ahead.
MaLL_Babe90: Fine. 35
GaM3b0y90: It’s settled then. If neither of us is married or has someone by then we’ll step in for each other.
Rennix swoops in immediately with a solution. Going on about how we’ll be fine and how it’s magically powered or some shit. I don’t know, my attention is drifting, focusing on what I now know I need to do.
“Hey, Lia, why are you running?”
“Good question.” I slow my pace back to a steady stroll. I got so excited I forgot how much I despise running. “There we go. That’s better.”
“Wait a minute, why are you going back to the basement?”
“Because…”
“Lia, that’s not an answer. Stop. Please. It’s dangerous.”
“No, it’s necessary. Trust me.”
It might be a stretch, but I think I know what to do.
“Where are you going?”
“To make one last birthday wish.”
EPILOGUE I
