Page 26

“You have to be kidding me,” Ben mutters when Clausen announces we should assemble in suite groupings for the morning activity. “The one day he actually shows up.”

Daniel makes no effort to seek us out, so the three of us join him on the far side of the gym.

“Hey, Dan. You want to go first? If you could be any flower what would you be?” Ben jokes, dropping down across from him.

“You can skip my turn,” he replies, barely acknowledging us.

I hate the force with which I study him. Once again I can’t look away even though every logical thought in my brain insists I should. If he notices, he doesn’t let on and continues to zone out.

“I hate suite bonding day. It’s such a waste of time,” Laura whines.

“What are we supposed to do, exactly?” I ask, joining the small circle.

“Basically the same thing as group counseling, but with just the four of us. We’re supposed to chat and hug and cry. As you can imagine, this is Daniel’s favorite day too,” Ben says.

“I’m crying on the inside, don’t worry,” he says dryly.

Ben smirks. “I doubt you even have tear ducts.”

“You know I cry myself to sleep every night because you don’t like me.”

“You sure have the ability to make Rebecca cry, though,” Ben says, finally piercing Daniel’s indifference. His gaze snaps to me, and his reaction surprises me almost as much as Ben’s comment.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I ask.

Ben huffs a laugh. “Uh, just that every time you two are alone, you end up freaking out.”

“That’s ridiculous! I don’t even know him. Why would anything he says affect me?” Daniel clenches his fist, and I can’t guess why he’d care that I don’t consider him a friend.

Ben and Laura exchange glances, only increasing my defensiveness. “Okay, sure,” Laura says sarcastically.

“What? I’ve only ever spoken to him a couple of times, and he made it pretty clear he wants nothing to do with me.”

Daniel doesn’t respond, but he’s definitely listening. A muscle moves in his jaw.

“What about the medication issue? And in the gym just a week ago?” Ben says.

I shake my head. “What are you talking about?”

“Are you serious?” Laura asks, also getting riled.

“Just lay off, okay? It obviously wasn’t a big deal to her,” Daniel mutters, only confusing me more with his defense.

“Not a big deal? She was a basket-case on both occasions.”

“I was not! You must be confusing me with someone else.”

“You were pretty upset,” Laura says.

“Do you remember any of this?” I ask Daniel.

“You were adjusting and probably emotional about other things. I just happened to be in the way at the time,” he says quickly.

“Listen to him trying to be sympathetic,” Ben mocks, and Daniel glares at him. “You’re going to hurt yourself, buddy.”

“But… Why don’t I remember this? What’s wrong with me?”

“Nothing. I’m sure you remember things about other people that they don’t,” Daniel says, but that’s bull and he knows it.

“I think I’d remember bawling my eyes out in front of some guy who hates me.”

“I don’t hate you,” Daniel says quietly, and I make the mistake of meeting his gaze again. I can’t stand the sudden drop of my stomach, the feeling that I don’t despise him as much as I want to.

“Congrats, Rebecca. I’m sure you’re thrilled. Does she get a certificate?” Ben taunts, but I barely hear him.

“Can you show me? Please?” I ask, motioning toward Daniel’s hand. I fully expect the denial that comes when he shakes his head and inches farther away.

“Why are you so worked up?” Ben asks me.

“How can I not be upset? You all clearly remember some big event that I don’t. Don’t you think I should be worried?”

“Daniel probably doesn’t remember half the shit he does,” Laura says with a snicker.

“Maybe it’s part of your gift, Rebecca. You see people’s past and future, but you’re starting to lose memories of your own,” Ben says.

The thought turns my blood cold. “No, that can’t be.

No!” They’re not going to help me, and I can’t take their indifference anymore.

“Forget it. I’ll figure it out on my own!

” I storm away, hating the fear that washes over me.

They call after me, but I don’t stop. If parts of my recent past are gone, how much more have I lost? How will I even know what’s missing?

Footsteps clap behind me, and I assume one of the staff members saw me leave and launched a pursuit. I glance back and nearly jump when Daniel grabs my arm and pulls me into a deserted classroom.

“Ben’s a dick for making a big deal out of nothing. He was trying to get to you. It’s what he does,” he says, shoving his hands in his back pockets.

“But you remember this too, don’t you? I can see it on your face.”

“I don’t remember it being such a major thing. It’s not unreasonable that it would’ve slipped your mind.”

“You know that’s not true. And you’re admitting that we’ve had contact before yesterday. I don’t remember ever talking to you before then. Why wouldn’t I remember that?”

“I don’t know. I guess I didn’t make much of an impression?”

“You’re lying. You know something! What’s happening to me?” Desperation floods me, and I grab his wrist. He jerks away, but it was too late.

My pulse pounds as my body burns hot from the vision. “Was that the past or the future?” I breathe out, eyes wide.

“I don’t know what you saw. You can’t do that to people.”

His warning hardly registers. How could it after that volcanic scene?

“We were together. I…” I gaze at him and my blood continues to sear through me, lodging in deep forbidden places.

He curses. “I should go.”

After that scene, I can’t allow it. Not with the inexplicable fire ripping me apart. “What aren’t you telling me? How did you know I saw something? I never told you about my visions.”

He shifts in his seat. “Everyone knows about that.”

“Does everyone also know I’m in love with you?”

His smile fades. “No, that’s not possible. I told you, I don’t get close to people.”

I shake my head. “I know what I saw! I… God, I was desperate for you. I’ve never felt like that before.”

“I shouldn’t have come,” he says, moving toward the door, and I run after him.

“No, that’s not good enough!” I grab his hand, and another vision flashes through me.

This scene is darker, more violent. I flinch and throw his hand back at him.

“What’s going on? What is this place? Who are you?

” The hall is spinning, and I grab the doorjamb for support.

He glances around in alarm before leading me into another room.

“Calm down, Rebecca. You have to calm down.”

“How can I calm down? I don’t even know who I am right now!” I’m practically sobbing. Dammit, Ben was right. This boy makes me cry!

“Don’t do this.” He’s struggling with my distress, and it suddenly occurs to me that of all the people in the gym, he’s the last one who should’ve come to my aid. The familiar way he says my name. His discomfort every time we’re together. The vision. The hunger.

“Help me, Daniel. I know you understand what’s happening!”

He closes his eyes and runs a hand over his face. “I can’t. I just… We worked so hard to get here.”

“Get where? What are you talking about?”

He shakes his head in anguish. “I can’t. I made a huge mistake, and now I’m making it again. I have to go. Stay away from me.”

“What mistake? Daniel, please. Don’t leave me!”

But I’m alone again and have no doubt that those lost meetings ended in tears after all.

“Rebecca, what is it?” Anna asks as I rush into her office and slam the door.

“Something’s happening to me.”

“What do you mean? Something with your gift?”

I nod, then shake my head. “I don’t know. I’m not sure what’s going on. All I know is that I woke up this morning and everything was fine. Then I learn that there are all these missing memories that somehow involve my roommate Daniel of all people. None of this makes any sense!”

Anna leans back, and I squirm beneath her intense gaze.

“What do you mean? How do you know you’re missing memories if they’re missing?”

“Because the others confirmed them. I don’t remember even meeting Daniel until yesterday, but they’re telling me I’ve had multiple encounters. Volatile ones apparently.”

“Interesting. I can see why that would be upsetting.”

My fear fades into suspicion. “You don’t think it’s odd that three people remember events I don’t?”

“Do you think maybe they’re playing a joke on you?”

I stiffen. “That would be really cruel. They saw how upset I was. No, I don’t think it was a joke. Daniel even followed me when I ran off.”

Anna straightens in surprise. “He followed you? What exactly did he say? Did he confirm these lost memories?”

“Not explicitly. He didn’t deny them either.”

“Did he say anything else?”

Wait, is she worried? She’s clearly fishing for information beyond my well-being as her student.

“He didn’t say much. Just offered some weak explanations for why I may not remember something others do.

But why are you so concerned with Daniel’s reaction?

I don’t even know him. Shouldn’t we be talking about my missing memories? ”

Anna shrugs, but I’m not sure I believe it.

Not when everyone seems to be acting weird today.

“It’s just uncharacteristic behavior for him to show compassion.

I’m curious about that encounter. Plus, didn’t you say it was your relationship with him you couldn’t remember?

Naturally as your counselor I’d be interested in any contact or perception you have of him. ”

I furrow my brow. “Relationship? I didn’t say anything about a relationship. Like I said, I don’t even know him.”

Anna clears her throat. “You know what I mean. I was generalizing. I’m sorry if I chose the wrong word.”

“Relationship is a pretty big leap from ‘multiple encounters.’” My pulse jumps at memories of the vision. “You know something, too. What’s going on? Why is this happening to me? Who is he?”