‘What’s it like in the future?’ asks Bec, trying not to smirk. ‘Have we made it to Mars yet?’

‘I’m not from the future,’ I say through gritted teeth. ‘And I’m not psychic either!’

‘Well, I’m glad we all agree on that,’ Chase says. ‘So if we’re finished with this nonsense …’

‘Wait …’

I look around the room for a way to prove it. I think back to everything that happened yesterday. Hawthorn cheating to win Capture the Flag. Ethan’s nudes being leaked. Chase being humiliated in front of the entire school.

‘That’s it!’ I exclaim. ‘I know how I can prove this! Your outfit for tonight. You’ve kept it secret, right? Locked away? But I know what it is. It’s your mum’s prom dress!’

Chase falls silent. His eyes narrow. ‘How did you know that?’

‘You keep the key under your mattress. I’m telling you. I know everything!’

‘So you looked then?’

‘What? No! You’re not listening –’

Chase shakes his head. ‘I can’t believe you, Zach.’

‘I didn’t look! You showed me yesterday. Or today. Or however the hell this works.’

‘That seriously wasn’t cool, Zach,’ Chase snaps. ‘That outfit actually means something to me! Do you know how excited I’ve been to show you guys?’

‘I didn’t look!’ I repeat. ‘I’m telling you, it’s the time loop.’

But I can hear the ridiculousness of that as it comes out of my mouth. The disappointed look on Chase’s face tells me everything I need to know. They don’t believe me, and I can’t blame them. I don’t know if I would believe me either. It is totally batshit.

‘It’s your mum’s dress?’ Bec says, sounding confused.

‘Yeah,’ he says. ‘I repurposed it. I wanted it to be a surprise.’

‘It’s Hanfu, right?’ I say, trying to make amends. ‘I know it was always something you said you wanted to wear. You showed us right after you came out.’

‘Yeah,’ Chase says. ‘At least you paid attention to that part.’

I can tell that he softens a little at hearing this, but he’s still looking at me as if waiting for an apology. But how can I apologize for something I didn’t do? There has to be a way to get them to believe me. I look around the room again, waiting for inspiration. But it’s hopeless.

‘I’m sorry,’ I finally say dejectedly. It feels weird to confess to something I didn’t do, but how else am I supposed to navigate this impossible situation? ‘I shouldn’t have peeked.’

‘It’s fine,’ he says with a shrug. ‘It’s done. No point being angry.’

‘Well,’ Bec says, ‘the cat may be out of the bag, but I still haven’t seen it. I can’t wait to see you wearing it, Chase! That’s gonna be the real moment.’