“No.” My lungs are getting the hang of the rhythm again, bit by bit. “It’s changing his relationship with that very same humanity.” I take a full breath. The air fills me up, almost to capacity. “One step, one kindness, one moment at a time.”

Chapter 58

Chapter 58

One week later…

The sun streams through the window, bright and cheerful. Safe. A sign of new beginnings, of better things to come.

We can only hope, anyway.

Archie came home from the hospital a few days ago, and already, his room looks and smells like a florist shop. Red roses cuddle with blue hydrangeas and orange poppies on his desk. Their scents swirl together, producing a heady mix that makes me want to sneeze.

Still, the intentions of the senders were good…all two dozen of them. I didn’t think I had that many friends, let alone Archie. The rumors circulated around school in less time than it took for me to travel ten years to the future and back.

Apparently, a gunman descended on our school and tied Bandit to the basketball pole. Archie confronted him and managed to scare him off, but not before suffering a bullet in the leg.

The facts are close enough to the truth that we didn’t bother to correct them. Especially since they paint Archie as a hero. Especially since that gunman was…me.

After all, I’m still trying to convince my brother to shift his perspective. To understand that although people like Lee and Maggie exist in this world, there are other people as well. Nicer people.

Along with the events of that fateful night, I let slip that I was responsible for the weed in my best friend’s locker. The confession is probably too little, too late. I received a suspension from school, which, all things considered, is the least of my worries. But Lalana’s already left for California, and I doubt she’s ever coming back.

As much as that makes me feel like pond scum, at least Archie won’t be reminded daily of his unrequited love. If, in some small way, Lalana’s cross-country move helps prevent my brother from becoming the Virus Maker? Well, I’ve heard that pond scum has its uses, too.

Lalana and I haven’t talked, but she did send me a cutout of Captain America’s head on a chopstick. The accompanying note didn’t say much, just “heard what happened” and “hope you’re okay,” but I’m hopeful this means she’s forgiven me a little. Maybe one day, when we’re face-to-face, I’ll be able to tell her the whole story.