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4

‘Prom night, baby!’

I wasn’t surprised when Chase hit me with the pillow this morning.

In fact, it was everything I was expecting.

It’s confirmed that Kellen and I are indeed trapped here, even if we don’t understand why.

I thought about going straight up to his room but, after that conversation last night, I thought he might need a little time to himself.

Or to be with Rhys. I don’t know.

Having his boyfriend break up with him every night, just to wake up right back there in his arms seems an especially cruel torment, like something out of a Greek myth.

I think I’d rather have my liver pecked out, quite frankly.

Bec and Chase are running through their usual script at lunchtime – how they can’t believe school is nearly over, yada yada – and I’m playing along with it.

Kellen hasn’t come down yet, but Rhys is sitting with the other Hawthorns, looking grumpier than usual.

It makes me wonder if Kellen said something.

Could he have actually broken it off with him?

Like some sort of pre-emptive strike?

‘I’ve been thinking,’ I say, interrupting Bec and Chase as we take our usual seats.

‘Imagine you were stuck in a day that looped over and over. What would you do in that situation?’

‘Well, that came out of nowhere,’ Bec says, surprised.

‘But you mean like in the TV show? Like a real-life Russian Doll ?’ It still pains me that they haven’t seen Groundhog Day .

‘Yes.’ I sigh. ‘Exactly like Russian Doll .’

‘I guess I’d work on a new skill?

’ Chase says. ‘Like learn to speak Japanese or get really good at roller skating.’

‘You realize you could do those things any time?’

‘Yeah, but it’s different when you have an eternity .

’

‘OK, nobody said eternity – let’s not get carried away.

’ I shudder inwardly at the thought.

‘Let’s say the day was repeating, but it was only, like, Day Four.

’

Chase laughs. ‘Well, if it was only Day Four, I’d still be freaking out!

Figuring out the rules, still hoping that tomorrow might actually be tomorrow?

’

It’s as if he’s reading me like an open book.

‘Day Four doesn’t sound very fun,’ he continues.

‘But Day One-Hundred-And-Four … you could have so much fun on Day One-Hundred-And-Four!’

I groan.

‘Let’s just stick to Day Four.

What would you do, Bec?

’

‘Well, I think I’d try to help out other people?

You’d be able to see all their problems – solve everything!

So I guess I’d try to do that?

Make the world a better place.

’

The fact I hadn’t already thought of that makes me feel incredibly self-centred.

Bec looks at me suspiciously.

‘Why all the questions anyway?’

‘Oh, I’m …

writing a book,’ I say.

Smooth, Zach. That’s totally plausible …

‘You’re writing a book ?

’

‘Think fast!’ Ethan yells, standing up from his seat, but he freezes before he throws the ball.

Something else has caught his attention.

‘ Oh. My. God ,’ says Chase.

If his jaw was any lower, it would be resting on the table.

‘What’s going on?’ Bec says, and I turn to see Kellen standing on the far end of our table.

Only he isn’t wearing any clothes.

He’s totally naked, cupping himself for modesty .

‘Good morning, classmates!’ he calls, beginning to stride the length of the table.

‘Happy prom! Today is the first day of the rest of our lives. So let’s all live a little, shall we?

’

Josh cheers and stands up to give him a round of applause.

He’s the only one.

‘Kellen, what are you doing?’ I say as he approaches.

I can’t decide if this is the worst thing he’s ever done, or the best. ‘You do realize I will remember this tomorrow?’

‘I think we’ll all remember this tomorrow,’ Chase says, clueless.

‘Oh, but my sweet lamb,’ Kellen says, leaning down so the two of them are face to face, ‘that’s just it.

You won’t. None of you will.

Isn’t that right, Zach?

’

There’s some murmuring as people look at me now, trying to figure out what the hell is going on and what I have to do with it.

You know what? Fuck it.

‘Right,’ I finally say.

There’s no point in fighting it.

He’s correct: nobody will remember this tomorrow, so what does it matter?

‘Do you trust me?’ He offers me the hand he was cupping himself with, leaving him free as a bird.

I don’t take it. I’ve just seen where it’s been.

‘Absolutely not!’ I laugh.

‘Kellen, this is crazy .’

‘Come onnnnnn ,’ he says.

‘Let’s cause some trouble.

’

‘Fine,’ I say. ‘But put some clothes on first.’

‘You’re the boss.

’ He winks, going to fish his clothing off the floor.

Chase is completely speechless.

‘Are you gonna explain what the hell is going on?’ Bec says.

I see Rhys storm across the room towards Kellen and grab his arm.

‘What are you doing?’ He tries to keep his voice lowered, but we all hear it.

‘I’m just having fun,’ Kellen says, pulling his arm free.

‘You’re humiliating me,’ he says.

‘In front of everyone .’

‘I was thinking about myself,’ Kellen replies.

‘For once.’ He sees that everyone is looking.

‘We’re done. I already told you that.

We’re finished.’

Oh my God!

He actually ended it with him …

‘Nah,’ Rhys says. ‘You’re not the one ending this.

I am.’

‘Too late,’ Kellen says, turning away.

‘Show’s over, boys – get a good look while you can!

’

He turns on his heel and heads for one of the side doors, leaving Rhys and the rest of the room speechless.

I get up and follow.

I catch him in the hallway, still only half dressed.

‘Well, that was … something.’

‘Why, thank you,’ he says, taking a little bow.

‘You might even say “magnificent”!’

‘Not exactly the word I was looking for,’ I say.

‘But you actually broke up with him?’

Kellen shrugs, almost like he’s completely unbothered.

‘I realized we’ve been going about this whole thing the wrong way, Zach.

Like, we’ve been trying to escape this day, but what if it’s actually a blessing?

A gift! We can do whatever the hell we like, right?

None of the normal rules apply any more.

When has anybody ever been so lucky?

’

‘I suppose …’ I say.

‘Though there is still the horror of being trapped here.’

‘There’s no need for dramatics, Zach,’ Kellen replies.

‘Are you coming?’

‘Where?’

‘To steal a car, of course!’

‘Pardon?’ I say, following after him.

‘You heard me.’ He grins as he stops at the door of Miss Madzikanda’s office.

‘She never locks this,’ he says, going to open it and finding that his theory is entirely incorrect.

‘Huh, well, whaddya know?’

‘What do you want to steal a car for anyway?’

‘To escape the “horror of being trapped here”?’ he says.

‘We have the power to do anything , to go anywhere, Zach! We can streak naked down the high street and nobody would remember it!’

‘What is it with you and wanting to strip naked?’

‘You’re telling me you don’t?

’

‘Funnily enough, no.’

‘Huh,’ Kellen says.

‘Kinda figured that was what everyone wanted …’

‘Nope, literally just you.’

‘So,’ he says, trying the door again, ‘can you pick the lock?’

‘ Can I pick the lock …? I’m sorry, have you got me confused with someone else?

’

‘Well, it’s either that or we kick the door down.

’

‘OK, let me just hop on Grindr and find someone masc real quick …’

‘You’re masc, Zach,’ he says, looking me up and down.

‘Kind of.’

‘What do you mean kind of ?’ The absolute cheek.

‘I mean kind of !’

‘Well, I guess we could try picking the lock?’ I say.

‘Have you got a paperclip?’

‘Why would I have a paperclip?’

‘I don’t know!

’ I say. ‘What else am I going to pick the lock with? In the movies, they just sort of shove it in and jiggle it about a bit.’

‘Maybe we really do need to get on Grindr,’ says Kellen, giggling.

‘Will you stop talking about Grindr!’

‘Oh, this is so stupid.’ Kellen pushes me aside, takes a step back and rams the door with his shoulder.

I think Kellen is as surprised as me when it actually bursts open.

‘Masc,’ he says, checking his nails.

‘I can’t believe that actually worked …

’

‘Never underestimate me, Zachary.’ Kellen crosses to Madzikanda’s desk.

‘Jackpot!’ he says, opening the drawer and pulling out her car keys.

‘And you’re really sure about this?

There must be a better way to get out of here.

’

‘It’s, like, twenty-five miles to the nearest town, Zach.

It’s this or start training for a marathon.

And you know how I feel about sport.

’

‘OK!’ I say. ‘But you know what you’re doing, right?

’

‘Of course not. Whatever gave you that idea?’

‘What are we doing ?’ I mutter to myself as Kellen unlocks Madzikanda’s car.

She’s down on the playing field, getting the rest of the students ready for Capture the Flag.

Really not all that far away, considering what we’re about to do.

Hopefully, she’s focused on the game because if she looks over she’s definitely going to catch us.

‘Like, never in a million years did I think I’d be carjacking a teacher …

’

‘Really? I sort of always knew this was on the cards for me,’ Kellen says sarcastically.

I hear Chase’s voice in my head.

We’re talking about kissing a boy, Zach, not stealing a car.

If only he could see me now!

I hop in the passenger side.

Kellen gets into the driver’s seat and …

opens TikTok.

‘ How to drive a car ,’ I read as he types it into the search bar.

‘You can’t be serious?

’

‘Well, how else are we gonna learn?!’

‘I sort of thought you already knew the basics …’

‘How would I know the basics?’

‘I dunno. Maybe your parents taught you or something?’

‘Yeah, my dead dad was the perfect instructor!’

‘Shit … sorry.’ You’re an idiot, Zach.

You literally just had that conversation!

‘And Mum had loads of time to teach me between working multiple jobs. Most of the time we were just driven around in a limousine, though. Obviously. ’

‘All right, I get it,’ I say, rolling my eyes.

‘It’ll be fine,’ Kellen says, studying the video that’s now playing.

‘Seems pretty simple. You just sort of have to …’ He fumbles with the keys as he puts them in the ignition.

‘See?’ He beams as the car grumbles to life.

‘I’m getting the hang of it already.

’

‘You’re going to get us both killed.

’

‘I already told you we can’t die!

’

‘And I already told you that you don’t know that !

’

‘Oh ye of little faith!’ he says, releasing the handbrake.

‘OK, we’re not doing this,’ I say, trying to reach across for the keys.

‘It’s not rocket science, Zach!

’ Kellen declares, just as I spot Madzikanda heading in our direction.

Fuck. She must have heard the engine.

‘Floor it!’ I say in a panic as she furiously blows her whistle, the shrill shriek sounding right across the school grounds.

‘What do you mean floor it ?’

‘Drive! Accelerate!’

‘How?!’ he says, fiddling with the gear stick.

He slams his foot down on one of the pedals and the car jolts backwards.

‘Abandon ship!’ I say, getting tangled up in my seat belt as I try to release it.

‘What in God’s name are you doing?

!’ Miss Madzikanda shrieks, racing towards us, but it’s too late because Kellen’s figured it out, and we’re actually moving forward.

With a squeal of tyres, the car flies out of the car park, down through the open gates and on to the road that snakes down through the woodland that surrounds the school.

Oakbrook and Miss Madzikanda disappear in the rear-view mirror, and we drive until there’s nothing but nature surrounding us.

‘I can’t believe we’re actually doing this.

’ Kellen finally exhales, his hands clamped firmly on the wheel, not daring to take his eyes off the road for even one single moment.

I can tell he’s scared but exhilarated because that’s exactly how I feel too.

‘OK, I hate to admit it,’ I say, winding down the window and letting the wind rush in, ‘but I think maybe you were right?’

‘See,’ Kellen says.

‘Only good things can happen when you put your trust in me.’

‘Is that so?’ I laugh, the leaves of the overhanging trees rustling in the breeze.

‘You know, we’re really lucky we’re stuck in a perfect summer’s day.

Imagine if we had to live through a blizzard?

’

‘Sounds romantic,’ Kellen says.

‘We could build snowmen, cosy up by the fire.’

‘Get soaking-wet socks … frostbite …’

‘You really don’t like winter?

’

‘I hate winter!’ I say.

‘Besides, what could be more romantic than this?’

I fumble with the cable and plug in my phone.

I have a playlist of my favourite movie soundtracks that’s perfect for the occasion.

It would turn even the most simple drive into something cinematic.

The forest practically comes alive as the score begins to play.

‘So this is a romance now, is it?’ Kellen says.

‘Don’t get your hopes up, Zachary.

Whatever our relationship is, I assure you it’s strictly platonical.

’

‘Not a word.’

‘Huh?’

‘Platonic,’ I say.

‘There’s no such thing as platonical .

’

‘Same difference.’

‘Besides,’ I say, ‘there can be romance in friendship too, you know? There’s romance in a road trip.

Romance in a summer’s day!

’

‘Didn’t realize you were such a softie.

’ Kellen smiles, taking his eye off the road for longer than is sensible.

‘Please watch where you’re going,’ I say.

‘What if the police pull us over?’

‘Do you see any police?’ He gestures to the empty road ahead of us.

‘Or anyone, for that matter? Anyway, a Black kid without a licence in a stolen car? I’m sure they’ll be just fine with it.

’

‘Does it even matter if we get arrested?’ Am I really saying this?

! ‘Like, we’ve got a get-out-of-jail-free card as soon as the clock hits midnight.

’

‘True, but knowing our luck this will be the day that sticks. Can you imagine? Stealing Madzikanda’s car and then the day doesn’t reset?

’

The car actually slows as the realization of this possibility dawns on Kellen.

‘It’ll be fine.’ I laugh.

‘But maybe let’s try not to get arrested.

Just in case?’

‘Deal! What’s the speed limit here anyway?

’

‘I dunno. Thirty?’

‘We’re never gonna get anywhere going thirty.

’ He puts his foot down.

‘Yeah, but just don’t crash the car, OK?

I don’t even know CPR.

’

‘Wait, what?!’ Kellen says, slamming on the brakes.

Only my seat belt stops me from being thrown through the windscreen.

‘You seriously don’t know CPR?

’

‘No?’ I say.

‘What is that mother of yours teaching you?’ he demands.

‘Get out.’

‘Huh?’

‘Get out!’ he repeats, unbuckling his seat belt and opening the door.

Against my better judgement, I do as he says.

‘What are we doing?’ I ask.

‘Lie down,’ he says, gesturing to the space in front of the vehicle.

‘There.’

‘I’m not lying down in the road, Kellen!

’

‘There’s nothing coming!

’ he says.

‘Even so!’

‘Ugh, fine. Let me put the hazards on.’ He leans back into the car before quickly reappearing.

‘How do I put the hazards on?’

‘How should I know?’ I laugh.

‘Why don’t you ask TikTok?

I’m not lying in the road.

’

‘You need to learn CPR,’ he says.

‘What if we crash and you need to save me? I don’t even have a licence!

’

‘Exactly why we shouldn’t be driving!

’

‘What happened to the “romance in a road trip”? Just when I thought you were lightening up a little!’

‘I just don’t want to see you getting hurt!

’ I say, remembering the vivid dream I had.

Kellen’s body lying on the stone-cold floor of the hall.

People running and screaming around him.

‘Well, do you wanna walk back to school?’ He gestures to the road behind us.

I don’t say anything to that.

‘Just lie down, Zach.’

‘OK, fine!’ Reluctantly, I lie down in front of the car.

‘Here,’ he says, straddling me.

‘I thought you said this wasn’t a romance?

’

‘Oh, shut up,’ he snaps.

‘Just be a corpse.’

‘Sexy.’

‘Zach.’

‘OK, OK,’ I say.

‘I’m a corpse.’ I roll my eyes and go perfectly still.

‘ Ah, ah, ah, ah … stayin’ alive, stayin’ alive ,’ Kellen sings as he puts his hands together on my chest and presses down in time with the words.

‘The Bee Gees!’

I can’t help laughing.

‘OK …’ I watch him intently, his skin glowing under the dappling sunlight, the branches of the trees swaying above him.

‘I’m being gentle,’ he continues.

‘But, in an emergency, don’t be afraid to put some real pressure on.

’ He pushes a little harder so I can feel his whole bodyweight.

‘You’re better off breaking a rib than having them die on you.

’

‘And then what?’ I say, meeting his eyes.

‘Then …’ he says, hesitating as he stares back down at me.

‘Yeah?’

‘And then …’ He clears his throat.

‘Then you give them the kiss of life.’

‘The kiss of life?’

‘… Yeah.’

I swallow hard.

Neither of us say anything.

‘But obviously I’m not going to do that!

’ Kellen finally breaks the silence.

‘Obviously!’ I laugh nervously.

‘Not that I’d let you!

’

‘You should be so lucky!’

He climbs off me.

There’s another awkward pause.

‘Just don’t stop, Zach.

Whatever you do. Even if you think they’re gone, don’t stop until the ambulance gets there.

That’s the most important part.

’

‘Thanks,’ I say.

It’s actually shocking that I didn’t know any of this.

‘I really appreciate the lesson.’

‘Course,’ he says, then gestures back to the car.

‘So where to now?’

‘I thought you wanted to streak down the high street?’

‘Only if you’ll do it with me.

’

‘You’re not serious!

’

‘I’m one hundred per cent serious.

’

I laugh at that.

‘How about we keep our clothes on and just go for iced coffee?’

‘Sounds boring,’ he teases.

‘But sure, I could do with the energy boost.’

We climb back into the car, and Kellen hums along to the music with that sweet voice as he clumsily tries to start it again.

I catch myself staring at him.

What are you doing, Zach?

Snap out of it …

The engine comes alive, and he looks up with a huge smile, the sun shining on his face.

When we set off once more, he glances over at me from time to time as we roll through the woodland.

And I don’t know if it’s just this messed-up situation we’re in, or if it’s something more than that, but it’s, like, for just a moment, I see him in a different light.

‘Kellen?’

I don’t even know what I’m going to say.

‘Yeah?’

‘I just wanted to, um …’

‘Yeah?’

‘It’s just –’

And that’s when it happens.

I feel the seat belt slam against my chest as we hit something full speed.