Page 55 of See You in Your Dreams

“What the hell, Ash? If you wanted to leave, you could’ve just said so!”

Ash whirls on me, the fury contorting his face making me release his shoulder and take a hasty step back. “It’s not fair! She was a kind, generous,goodperson. She doesn’t deserve this!”

“No,” I agree, my voice calm despite the hollow pit opening up in my chest. “It’s not, and she doesn’t. But sometimes, that’s life.”

Ash clenches his jaw, his fists trembling as though he yearns to lash out and hit something. Then, all at once the anger leaks out of him, his back hunching as he sags.

“Well, sometimes life is bullshit,” he says, his trembling voice almost child-like.

Not knowing what else to do, I pull him close, letting him lean against me as my own tears begin to fall. Despite our best wishes, Greta’s fate is out of our hands. All we can do now is wait.

twenty

Ash

I fiddle listlessly withmy sandwich while Cat goes on another random spiel about some music critic who’d lambasted her favorite band—unjustly, according to her. These lunches with Dylan’s friends have become a regular occurrence, and I’ve gotten used to the extra company. Today, however, I just can’t seem to escape my own head.

It’s been a week since Greta’s accident, and she still hasn’t returned to school. A vision of her lying in that hospital bed haunts me every night before sleep, bringing back painful memories of my dad at the end. Thank God for sleeping pills—without them, I can only imagine what sorts of nightmares I’d conjure up.

Dylan shifts beside me, and I edge my chair closer so our shoulders brush. Thank God for him as well. No matter how dark my thoughts get, at least I have his shining light to cling to. Even if I’m not sure I’ll ever deserve it.

I catch the wordGretaand tune back into the group’s conversation just in time to hear Cat say, “—heard the latest?”

She glances around as the others shrug or shake their heads, then leans forward conspiratorially. “Apparently, Greta pulled through her initial injuries, but now she’s stuck in a coma. The doctors aren’t sure when—or if—she’ll wake up.” Cat grimaces. “Which, if you ask me, sounds worse than dying. At least, there’s some sort of closure in death.”

“Poor Greta,” Alexis says sadly. “I feel so bad for her and her family. I can only imagine how difficult this must be for them.” She squares her shoulders. “Still, we need to remain positive. Plenty of people in comas eventually wake up and return to their normal lives, right?”

“Exactly,” Dylan agrees. “All we can do is keep hoping for the best.”

I don’t miss the way his concerned hazel eyes flick to me. Knowing he’s right doesn’t do anything to stymie the guilt ravaging my gut. Greta’s accident might not be my fault, but my poor treatment of her before then certainly is.

If she dies before I can apologize, I’ll never forgive myself.

“Even the comatose must dream,” Robbie adds in his usual monotone.

Time around me seems to slow, my breath catching as his words permeate me to my core. It isn’t possible…is it? And even if itis, I can’t risk it,won’trisk it. My power does nothing but hurt the people around me. Using it won’t help anyone.

Even the comatose must dream…

I glance over at Dylan and find his eyes wide and fixed on me, the same thought currently assaulting me clearly on his mind as well. We share a look fraught with hidden meaning before he glances away.

“Come on guys,” he says, taking a determined bite of his apple with a satisfyingcrunch. “Let’s talk about something more cheerful.”

Alexis perks up. “Oh, you mean like the upcoming river clean-up? We’re still looking for volunteers if any of you are interested.”

Cat rolls her eyes. “I’m not sure pollution counts ascheerful, Lex.”

“Maybe not…but reducing it certainly does.”

“Hard pass.” Cat takes a long sip from her water bottle. “Robbie and I have a date that night.”

“I’m late, I’m late, for a very important date,” Robbie agrees.

“But the clean-up only lasts from 6am until 6pm. You’ll be done in plenty of time.”

“Sorry, Lex.” Cat gives an unapologetic shrug. “Our date is an all-day sort of thing.”

Alexis narrows her eyes. “But I haven’t even told you when the clean-up is yet!”