Page 43 of What If It's You?

“Got it.” She pressed her fingertips together, tapping her lower lip with the joined pointers as she stared at me. “And there are gaps in your memory? By which I mean you’re not party to whatever happens to you in either world when you’re not…present?”

I nodded.

“Well, my first instinct is that what you’re describing is impossible.”

“But?”

“No buts. Current consensus from those of us who adhere to the multiple worlds interpretation is that if infinite worldsdoexist, it’s not possible to move between them.”

“But then…what do I—”

“I wasn’t finished,” she said, not quite annoyed, but commanding. Clearly she was used to people listening to her. “Consensus doesn’t mean something’s proven, or even the most elegant solution, only that it’s generally agreed to. And the question of how our individual human consciousnesses operate within a multiworld system isveryfiercely contested.” She gave me a meaningful stare. Apparently this counted as hot quantum physics goss. She leaned closer, lowering her voice. “Some of us theorize that in the same way that there are infinite points where universes split, there could be infinite points where they come back into contact.” She pulled her fingertips apart and pressed them back together to demonstrate. “We’re not surewhythat would happen, or how it would play out from a quantum perspective, only that it’s plausible. If the worlds you’re describing were…bumping up against one another, so to speak, something like thismightbe possible. Wildly unlikely, but possible.” She shrugged.

“Is that supposed to reassure me?”

“It’s better than wildly unlikely and impossible.”

“I guess.”

She glanced down at her smartwatch and exhaled decisively.

“I’m afraid I really don’t have more time to discuss this. While I do believe thatyoubelieve this is happening, it’s just…not enough to base a serious inquiry on.” She gave me a pitying smile. Desperation swelled in my chest.

“But you have to help! Who else would even understand?” I leaned closer, willing her to take this seriously. Her mouth twisted to one side, then she rolled her eyes, almost as if she were annoyed with herself.

“You said the split had to have happened a little under five years ago, give or take?”

“That’s right.”

“You’re sure it couldn’t have happened much earlier? A complete restart of your timeline, say?”

“Definitely not. I know Drew and I still met at Pixel in the other reality, and that’s when I started working there. And a total do-over…I feel like more things would have to change?”

She nodded once.

“In that case…the rock.”

“The…I’m sorry?”

“TheRock. Dwayne Johnson?” She raised an eyebrow. “You must have heard of him, he’s universally beloved.”

I laughed once. Even her opinions on pro-wrestlers-turned-Disney-voice-actors had the tone of absolute truth.

“Obviously I’veheardof him. Are you suggesting I…find him?”

“That would be incredible for you, but no, I’m suggesting you mention him to me. The other me, if you do find yourself on that side of the coin again. Specifically, the fact that he was my first crush.”

“Seriously?”

“The man’s built like agod,Laurel.” Disdain creased her brow. “It’s not something I share widely, though, so if you, a stranger, were to know that about me, I’d be likely to take you seriously. And on that note, I have actual work to do.”

She rose and, without bothering to look back at me, disappeared through a door to the building.

I had someone on my side…maybe…and only if I kept ping-ponging between two worlds. I suppose that would have to count as a win.

By the time I got back to the apartment it was almost two, and I was certain I’d have to come up with an explanation of where I’d been, but it was empty. Something twisted inside me at the realization. Was Ollie missing me right then, or was it totally one-sided?

I pulled open my laptop and dutifully attempted to learn more about the “multiple worlds interpretation,” but the gap between “have you heard of Schrödinger’s cat?” and “the Universal Wave Function can be expressed in this case as a salad of Greek letters that each individually stand in foranothercomplicated math and/or physics equation, all of which are way beyond your comprehension, in fact even attempting to wrap your brain around what are apparently pretty basic concepts to the average quantum physics enthusiast will just confuse you further and really, Laurel, why do you think this is going to get you anywhere?” was yawning.

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