But then I remember he needs to feel this. He needs to know that neither of us is complete unless we’re together. That his star speech will be forgotten until he remembers that we’re written in the stars.

His gaze stays on mine even as the bus continues to roll down the street, and I know that’s exactly what he’s thinking. He’s actually considering that maybe he’s made a mistake.

Everything is going so well. Perfectly to plan.

Until it all goes to shit.

One second, we’re standing on the corner of Hollywood and Vine, me watching Dominic watch us, Ross moving a few steps away to take in the marquee above us and ask if we could come back to see a show at Pantages, Kavya wishing Hooters was still open so we could get some wings and chat with the waitresses about female empowerment. The next second, screams rip through the air. Dominic’s head whips down the street, and I follow suit. Director mode takes over my mind as everything feels like it switches to slow motion.

A huge purple semitruck slapped with the Trojan condom logo barrels through a stoplight. I zoom in to see its driver slumped over, hopefully passed out and not dead at the wheel. Cars screech to a halt to avoid hitting it, but a black Escalade isn’t so lucky. The front of the SUV clips the front of the truck, sending the Trojan semi off course just enough that it’s now headed directly for the sidewalk.

Directly for Ross.

They stand there, frozen, their eyes wide in terror. I can only imagine the thoughts that must be rushing through their head like a tidal wave. How they’ll never see the Blue again, how they’ll die on land with legs, how they didn’t get to truly say goodbye to their life underwater.

Emergency instinct kicks in. I leap forward and push Ross out of the way, just as the truck hits the curb. The semi bounces in the air while Ross flies back. Their orange hair flings in every direction, a firework. Pedestrians run behind them, while Kavya’s black-painted fingernails come into view.

The truck now bounces back down to the sidewalk once, twice, three times, right toward me, then CRASH! Knocks into a fire hydrant. Kavya’s hand closes around my wrist and pulls me backward. I keep my eyes zeroed in on Ross while she pulls me to her body. Ross lands hard on their butt. I see them cringe in pain, their hands flying to their tailbone. I’m sure it hurts like hell, but at least they’re safe.

Actually, I spoke too soon.

A red metal object flies past Ross’s face, nearly crashing into their skull. Close call.