We explore the house, going through bedroom after bedroom after bedroom. Seriously, how many guests does Future-Adam expect to have at once? There’s also a library full of old books—which Trent and I both ooh and aah over—plus an exercise room, a giant office, and even a freaking movie room. We practically have to drag Chris out of this last one.

We find some extra clothes laid out in what I assume must be Future-Adam’s bedroom. It’s not the biggest one or the fanciest one, but it is the messiest one. It’s the only room we’ve seen that actually looks lived in. The bed is unmade, clothes are piled on a chair in the corner, and there’s a glass of water on the bedside table. Future-Adam is kind of a slob.

Adam walks around the room, studying everything like he’s searching for clues to his own life. I can’t even imagine what it must be like, standing in your future self’s house, trying to piece together what happened to yourself in that thirty-year gap.

Zoe sifts through the clothes. “They look the same as what we’re wearing. Bleh.”

“Aw man, no smartclothes?” Chris asks. “I wanted to check them out.”

“It makes sense,” Adam says, pausing to examine a large mirror with a silver frame hanging on one wall. “If we went back to the present with different clothes, Aether might suspect something.”

“I guess,” Chris mutters as he grabs the largest shirt from the pile. He leaves the room to change, followed by Adam and Trent.

Zoe studies herself in the mirror, smoothing her damp blue hair, and sighs. “I could really use a shower.”

I gesture to Future-Adam’s bathroom. “There’s a bathtub the size of a small pool in there—feel free.”

She lets out a small laugh. “Maybe I will. What do you think of this place?”

“It’s…impressive,” I say as I pick out my clothes. “Except for this room anyway.”

“This room’s a bit messy, but Adam’s still a catch.”

My eyebrows shoot up. “You think so?”

“Oh yeah. If I wasn’t already with someone, I would totally be into him.” She picks up her new clothes, hugging them to her chest. “I’m bisexual, in case that wasn’t obvious. And Adam’s hot, smart, funny…and in the future he’s a hero and superrich.” She gives me a faint smile. “But Adam only has eyes for you anyway.”

I don’t know what to say. Maybe it isn’t such a secret that he likes me. But that doesn’t mean either of us has to act on it. We barely know each other. And we have far more important things to focus on—like staying alive.