She had trouble answering him, and so he kissed her again. She knew if she gave herself over to the kiss one more time, all would be lost. She would gladly be consumed by it. This is what we are meant to do, Milos had said. This is what we are meant to be. It took every ounce of her will to say—

“Lesson over.”

She couldn’t bear to pull out of his arms, so instead she peeled out of the beautiful girl, and back into Everlost.

Milos peeled away a moment later, once he realized that Allie was gone.

Allie stood there knowing she had done the right thing, but was still unable to turn and leave. They stood there for the most awkward of moments.

“Now you will say you hated that,” Milos said, sheepishly.

Allie shook her head. “No. No, I didn’t hate it.” And that was the problem.

Beside them, the couple who, after all, really were dating, went back to kissing each other, probably thinking their odd supernatural experience was solely the product of love and hormones. Allie watched them, part of her wishing it could still be her—but realizing that the other half of her wished that the boy could be Mikey.

Only now did she realize that the boy Milos had chosen did look just a little bit like Mikey. She wondered if Milos had chosen him for that very reason. What was it he had said? We could be for each other whatever we need. She wondered if the girl looked like Jackin’ Jill.

“Next time, maybe?” said Milos with an apologetic grin.

“No,” said Allie, and took his hands, no longer in passion but in sympathy. “There won’t be a next time, Milos.”

She could not hate him for this. He hadn’t forced her— he hadn’t taken advantage. He was just doing what boys do—and he was very good at it.

“Too bad,” said Milos. “I could have walked you down the red carpet at the Oscars. I could have danced with you in the White House.”

“Now who’s thinking too big?”

Milos sighed. “Will you now walk back alone, or may I escort you?”

“Well, since we’re both going in the same direction, it would be silly to walk alone.”

They returned to the highway together, yet apart. It was a long and painfully awkward walk.

“I’m sorry, Milos,” Allie told him, when they were halfway there.

But Milos shook his head. “Please,” he said. “I posed a question, and your answer was no. Never be afraid to tell anyone ‘no’,” he said. “And that includes me.”