Page 29 of A Thousand Second Chances

“It’s something similar inHappy Death Day,” I interject. “Turns out the entire thing is caused by a science experiment gone awry.”

Percy furrows his brow. “Right. So, our options are fate, aliens, or mad science. That about cover it?”

“And magic!” Quinn adds. “Don’t forget about magic. You can never rule out the supernatural when it comes to something like this.”

“Of course not,” Percy replies, his voice strained. “I’ll add magic to the list.”

Poor Percy. He always did prefer the world to be nice and neat. I think that’s one of the reasons he’d been so nervous to come out—it was a huge unknown he couldn’t control, which made it seem dangerously messy. However, I suspect our current predicament might require him to get comfortable with some out-of-the-box thinking.

“Does it matter?” I ask. I raise a hand to forestall his protest. “I’m not saying it isn’t worth trying to figure out what’s causing this so we can understand how to stop it. But sitting here speculating will only get us so far. No matterwhat’sgoing on, the only way we’ll solve anything is if we go out and find some answers. And you already brought up the best way to do that. We need to investigate the island.”

“Right on!” Quinn exclaims brightly. “Forget the bike tour—breaking a mysterious time loop soundswaymore exciting!”

“And if it turns out thereisno loop?” Percy asks, adjusting his glasses. “If we wake up tomorrow and everything is back to normal?”

I shrug. “Then, we wasted a day all of—” I glance at Quinn and correct myself “—mostof us have lived through once already. That beats pretending nothing is wrong and hoping for the best.” I’ve learned the hard way how little goodthatdoes.

Percy nibbles some more on his bottom lip before nodding. “You’re right. It’s a lot of ground to cover, though.”

“It’s anisland, Perce. One that’s, like, eighty percent national park. How much space can there possibly be to check?”

“I guess we’ll find out.” His nervous gaze darts once more toward the front, and I check my phone—9:14 AM. Unless Oshkoff left without us, we’re out of time to handle her. Percy must have the same thought because he swallows. “Now, we just need to come up with an excuse believable enough that Professor Oshkoff won’t mind letting us out of the bike tour.”

Quinn leans over the table, propping her face on her hands. She gives a grin I know all too well—the one that means I’m either about to have a ton of fun or witness an unmitigated disaster. “Leave that to me.”

fourteen

Percy

Quinn has me andChris hang back in the Royal Lilac’s entrance while she takes the lead. I’m grateful since my head still feels like it’s about to spin off and fly away. Did I really just have a serious discussion about the potential causes of a time loop? The very idea is ludicrous, and yet, here I am, proceeding as though it’s a perfectly valid assumption and not proof of insanity. As if this day reallyisdoomed to repeat ad infinitum.

Without Chris’ familiar presence, I don’t know if I’d have been able to hold myself together. Things between us might still be beyond strained, but knowing he’s part of this too gives me the strength I need to continue. Which is ironic, considering how much I can tell he wishesIwas anyone else.

“Mr. Wentworth. Mr. Rawley. Ms. Pearson.” Oshkoff waves her clipboard angrily in our direction. “So good of you to join us. I believe I made itquiteclear that we are on a tight schedule.”

Chris leans in, and my body goes rigid. A cloying mix of mint and a unique scent all his own assaults me, my skin tingling ashis breath ghosts over my ear. “You know, having lived this day once already, I don’t see what the big deal is. It’s not like we had any real plans in the afternoon. So, why the rush?”

I struggle to focus despite his unexpected nearness. “Are you implying that Professor Oshkoff is responsible for what’s happening to us?”

“Simply noting it as a possibility.” His eyes narrow at her. “She seems the type to hex her students.”

Before I can recover enough to tell him how ridiculous he’s being, a sniffle from Quinn draws my attention. She gives Oshkoff a wobbly smile, and I’m astonished to see tears standing out in her eyes.

“I’m so,sosorry, professor. I know how important this tour is. I’ve been looking forward to learning all about Mackinac Island’s history for months now, ever since the school first announced the trip.” Her voice wobbles, and evenIfeel bad for her. “B-but something came up this morning, and I…” She gulps, glancing at the other gathered students, all of whom are paying keen attention to the exchange.

Oshkoff’s expression softens. “Perhaps we should discuss this somewhere more private.”

Quinn shakes her head, her eyes widening in mock dismay. “Oh, no, professor. That’s all right. I don’t want to waste any more of your valuable time or make everyone else any later.”

“Nonsense!” I’m shocked to hear genuine warmth infuse Oshkoff’s voice as she lowers her clipboard. Chris and I sidestep out of the way to let her and Quinn pass. “One can never fully account for every possibility, and a student’s well-being always comes first. I’m certain our bicycles can wait a few minutes longer.”

I meet Chris’ gaze as they vanish within and see my stunned reaction reflected on his face. “What the hell just happened?” I ask.

Chris chuckles and leans against the nearby faded purple wall. “Quinn can be very persuasive when she wants to be.”

“Yeah, I see that.” Watching her play the professor like a fiddle had been impressive—and, frankly, a little terrifying. “If she hasn’t considered a career in acting, she should. What do you think she’s telling Oshkoff?”

“Whatever it is, I bet it’ll be good.”