But what about other things? Why hadn’t I known about Mom and Desmond? Or the fact Victor and I were apparently dating again? I was the James in my world. I didn’t remember dating Victor, just as James didn’t remember dating me. So why did I remember the details of every story in a textbook I’d never read?

Because facts are static, while emotions aren’t.

My cell buzzed. I’d been so focused on getting back to James I’d forgotten to check it earlier. It was a message from Anamae.

Any chance of getting a coffee?

In both of my former realities, Anamae Liano and I had been the best of friends. I breathed out in relief, comforted she and I were still close.

We had also been in a near-fatal car accident, Anamae getting the worse of the injuries. She’d been isolated during her long healing process. I didn’t know about this reality, but I hadn’t seen Anamae since the night of the accident and I realized how much I had missed her. I might as well take advantage of the time I had with her now, because I knew it wouldn’t last for long.

I tapped a response, Not likely, but you can always come over here. Or at least try

Challenge accepted.

I tossed the textbook aside and began digging through my book bag for clues that would aid in my assimilation to this life. As I flipped through a few spiral notebooks, I noticed the handwriting was a very good forgery of my own. I guessed it would be impossible for everything to perfectly transfer from reality to reality. There were bound to be subtle differences. Several elastic headbands rolled around in the bottom of my bag. Absentmindedly slipping them on my wrist like bracelets, I continued digging.

When I opened the small pouch in the front pocket, a bright pink envelope caught my attention. Inside were two tickets to the Martin High School Pop-Up Prom.

Someone just kill me right now.

Going to prom was the last thing on my mind. Sure, at one time a hundred years ago, I thought it might be fun. But now, it seemed frivolous. Much like other aspects of high school, it was pretty pointless. Then I thought of Victor. I wondered how long we’d been dating in this new reality. If I was going to continue life as usual, that meant I’d be going to prom with him. If we were still a thing, anyway.

Anamae bounded in as I considered the bright pink envelope in my hand.

My heart filled with happiness over seeing my best friend’s beautiful face again. I quickly stood and embraced her.