Page 102 of If the Stars Align

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My throat is tingling?—

I’m losing my mind!

And there’s no escape this time…

I kick off the covers and run to the mirror, desperate to see some version of Dex I recognize—but I’m face-to-face with Ollie.

I touch my cheek—he touches his.

I say his name—he moves his lips.

It’s like a funhouse mirror in a haunted house?—

But I’m trapped in here, and I can’t get out.

I can’t get out!

I can’t get out!

I need Sunny. She’s here. She can save me.

Of course, seeing her triggered this panic attack in the first place, but I don’t care about that now. All I care about is feeling her arms around me. Hearing her say I’ll be okay.

Breathing.

I pick up my phone to call her.

But what if Jeremy answers? What if he turns to the love of my life and says, “It’s a good thing you’re with me, Sunny. This Dex Oliver character is a fucking whack job!”

No, I’ve lost her…it’s true…and not just to Jeremy.

The Sunny I knew is gone. A distant memory.

The world is dark, there’s no sun in the sky.

My lungs…can’t breathe…I’M GOING TO DIE!

I look down at the phone in my hand, my finger tracing the numbers: 911.

I have to call. I need to call.

But the media. I can’t. This will be front page news!

I gasp for air

I gasp for air

I gasp for air

I—

…

I’ve lost time. I must have passed out—or worse. I have no idea.

All I know is, I can’t live like this anymore.

I reach for my phone, which has fallen next to me, in the corner of the bedroom where I’m huddled.

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