“Oh, look.” I smirk as I survey his costume. “Someone time traveled here from the year Darkwood was founded.”

“At least I dressed up.”

“We had a deal,” I remind him.

“One you clearly have no intention of breaking,” he answers, looking me up and down. “You look lovely tonight, Pru.” Then, to me: “No offense.”

“Every offense taken. Let’s go.” I’m ready to fulfill this best-friend requirement so I can go back to being the nonconforming, masquerade-ball hater I was before, and still am.

Ollie laughs, holding out both of his arms. “Ladies? May I escort you to the ball, perchance?”

Pru snickers. I scowl.

“If thou must,” I relent. Ollie grins.

She has no idea how cute she is. Even in those jeans she insists on wearing all the time… Does she have to dress in a T-shirt and sneakers every day like it’s her job?

I stop in my tracks. What did Ollie say?

I turn and look at him. “You don’t like my jeans?”

Ollie studies me, confused. “No, I—What are you talking about? I didn’t say anything.”

He didn’t? But I heard—

That’s when it hits me. That thing that happened with Harlowe, when I was driving the car. It’s happening again. Now. With Ollie.

She’s acting really weird. Great. Tonight everything has to be perfect, or else I’ll totally chicken out.

We’re walking down the hall, but I barely register my feet moving. I feel oddly clearheaded. And Ollie’s voice, it’s like it’s whispering right in my ear. The same way I heard Harlowe’s voice—distant-sounding, and yet, strangely close.

You have to do it. Like you planned. Tonight, at the dance. Tell her you’ve been in love with her for ages. You promised yourself when you were on that island that you would. Who cares if she kissed Levi? He isn’t here. I don’t want him to be stuck there, that’s not it. But I’ve known Emma longer and I’ve loved her forever. I just never realized it until last year, and then I almost missed my chance—

I press my hands to my ears, trying to drown out Ollie’s inner monologue. As though that would ever work. Whatever’s happening to me, I can’t stop it. Unless I get the hell out of here.

“Emma?” Pru looks at me, her face etched with worry. I probably look like I’m losing it, standing here with my hands on either side of my head.

I have to go. There’s no way I can stand here and listen to this, to Ollie thinking all about his feelings for me, without him knowing I’m reading his every thought.