"Thoughts"
The air outside the school was cold, but the tension burning inside me was much worse. Walking beside Chloe felt less like company and more like a forced march. Her presence, once insignificant, now filled every space. I kept the science book clutched to my chest, like a dumb shield against the smiling perfection walking next to me.
She kept talking, but her words had turned into a hum in my ears. My mind was stuck in a loop: Why was she acting like this? Why on this particular day? And why did I feel like I had condemned myself by agreeing to walk with her? The idea that my "other chance" was not a blessing but a punishment, was taking root like an infection.
— Chloe: ...so if you have any trouble with the history assignment, don't hesitate to text me. Seriously, (Y/N), we can study together.
Her voice abruptly pulled me out of my thoughts. I looked up and, for the first time, realized where we were: right at the edge of my front yard. The journey was over.
— (Y/N): Oh, yeah... thanks, Chloe. I... I'll let you know.
I stopped in front of the door, trying to put as much distance as possible between us, even if it was just a few centimeters. I felt that if I didn't break eye contact soon, she would follow me all the way to my room.
— Chloe: Okay. I'll text you later.
Her smile softened, but only to reveal something sharper underneath. She took a step forward and, without warning, took my hands. It was a brief touch, but it made me flinch.
— Chloe: I had fun with you; we should do this again. I'll come by for you tomorrow, okay?
And then she left, walking toward her house, but not before glancing back at my door, trying to make sure I hadn't vanished.
I went inside and leaned against the door, closing my eyes. The silence of the house was deafening, but my heart was still racing a thousand miles an hour. I had escaped. For now.
I went upstairs, dropping the useless book on the table. I went straight to the bathroom mirror. I needed to wash my face, to convince myself that I wasn't going crazy.
I looked at myself. I was pale. My eyes, wide and nervous. But then I glanced at where Chloe had held me. I pulled up the uniform sleeve.
Where Chloe had grabbed my arm that morning, there was a mark, a scratch that had barely broken the skin.
— (Y/N): What the hell...?
It was proof that it had all been real, that the day wasn't just a nightmare.
As I examined the scratch, my cell phone vibrated on the bed. I jumped and rushed to look. It was a message.
Chloe (New Contact)
Chloe: (Y/N), I had fun talking to you. Tomorrow will be another wonderful day.
Chloe: P.S.: Don't forget you promised me we'd go together.
I stared at the message. She had already saved my number. She had already claimed tomorrow. And there was one detail that froze me:
"Tomorrow will be another wonderful day"?
Panic turned into cold terror. If this was the "opposite day," where everything bad became inevitable, what would her message mean? That she was condemning me to relive this nightmare over and over? That it didn't matter if I escaped today, because tomorrow, the cycle would start again?
I threw myself onto the bed, feeling the weight of the condemnation. I stared at the ceiling, the mark on my arm burning like a small warning.
— (Y/N): I have to find out. I have to know what happened, what I did on the subway for her to act like this.
Autor:
I still don't know the direction of the novel, but I will try to upload three chapters per day. I would like to know your opinions and if you like the novel.