I stood there like an idiot for way too long.
Like, seriously. I should've blinked. Or breathed. Or done one of those fake head-nod things people do when they're pretending not to stare.
But no. Just… froze.
Lena didn't look at me. Not yet, anyway. She was talking to Mr. Tanaka by the door, holding a folder like she was just another late transfer student.
Another new face.
Except she wasn't.
She used to sit two rows over. Used to laugh at my dumb jokes. Used to—
No. Stop.
I shake my head, trying to clear it. My brain feels like it's stuck buffering.
Why won't the flashes work right? Why so many damn options?
I take a deep breath and try again. Focus on her.
What happens if I walk over?
A flicker.
She turns. Sees me. Her expression doesn't change.
Another version—she looks surprised. Smiles a little.
Third one—I don't even get a full image. It cuts off halfway. Like static.
What the hell?
It's never done that before. Never glitched out like this.
I glance down at my hands. They're not shaking or anything. But I feel off. Like someone pulled the rug out from under me and forgot to tell me it was coming.
The bell rings.
People start moving. Pushing past me.
I snap out of it and shuffle toward class, still watching her out of the corner of my eye. She walks in behind Mr. Tanaka and takes a seat near the window.
Right where she used to sit.
Of course.
Everyone starts whispering. Transfer students are always kind of a big deal in high school. Especially ones who look like they belong somewhere else, like they walked out of some other story.
That's Lena. Always did.
Mr. Tanaka clears his throat. "Class, we have a new student today. Lena Cho. She's transferring back after being away for a while."
A few confused glances go around.
Back?
So nobody else knew she was coming either.
"Welcome back," Mr. Tanaka says, and okay, yeah, that part definitely hits harder than it should.
I keep my head down, but I can feel her in the room now. Like my body knows something my brain hasn't caught up to yet.
I try to sneak a glance.
Her eyes move across the classroom and stop on me.
Our eyes lock.
Just for a second.
Then she looks away.
Like nothing.
Like I'm nothing.
And that's when another flash hits.
But it's jumbled. Scrambled.
I see her smiling. Then crying. Then walking away.
All in the same second.
My stomach twists.
This isn't normal.
This has never happened before.
I lean forward in my chair, gripping my desk.
What the hell is she doing to me?