You've Found Oliver (You've Reached Sam, #2)(35)

Ben smiles. “What was it, by the way?”

“It was just a plate. But I painted stars on it.”

“That would have looked nice on the coffee table.”

“You probably think I’m crazy.”

“I never said that,” he says.

“Thanks though. For letting me stay here.”

Ben hangs with me for a while, but I can barely keep my eyes open. Then he covers me with the blanket. For a second, I think he might kiss my forehead. But he just whispers, “Goodnight, Oliver. We’ll figure everything out tomorrow.”





Chapter

Twelve



It must have all been a weird dream because when I wake up, I’m not in Ben’s apartment. I rub my eyes until everything comes into focus. The pile of clothes on the chair, the popcorn ceiling, the curtain that divides the room in half. When did I get back to my dorm? I push myself up and take a look around. I don’t have to glance out the window to know it’s spring again. A lawn mower passes outside, accompanied by the sound of birds.

I run my hand along the sheets, remembering the night before. Could it have really been in my head? Why do the memories feel so real? I grab my phone from the bed. There are over a dozen messages from Ben. I open them right away.

Did you leave?



Oliver???



Where did you go?



Is everything ok?



I’m momentarily confused. Then I read the rest of the messages and realize—I really was at his apartment last night. So it wasn’t a dream after all. But how did I wake up back here? I’m about to respond when I decide to call him instead. Strangely, the call doesn’t go through. It doesn’t even ring or go to voicemail. I send him a text message.

Hey! sorry



I’m in my dorm right now



He must be waiting by the phone. Because he responds instantly.

Back in Ellensburg?



When did you leave? I was worried about you



I wish I had an answer to this.

I don’t really remember. I just woke up here



I tried calling a dozen times



I just tried calling you too! It didn’t go through



Must be one of our phones



But I’m glad to know you’re safe



One more hour and I was about to call a search team



Sorry for scaring you. I honestly have no idea how I got back here



I don’t even remember leaving your apartment



My head is spinning again. At least everything seems back to normal. Even Ben’s gift is sitting on the table. Then what exactly happened yesterday? Did I actually return to the fall? Then I remember something. Julie was supposed to call me back. I check my notifications. There are a few messages from her, too.

Nyhavn was beautiful



There were cute boys everywhere



You would have loved it



The texts are followed by pictures of the waterfront. That means she’s in Copenhagen. But we just saw each other yesterday. I pull up her location, which shows her thousands of miles away. I don’t even know what time it is there, but I call her immediately. She better not ignore me again. Thankfully, she answers this time.

“Julie! Hello?”

There’s noise in the background. “Sorry, can you hear me?”

“Yes. Where are you?”

“I’m out with some friends right now.”

“So you’re not in Ellensburg?”

“What are you talking about? Of course not.”

“What about yesterday? Do you remember seeing me?”

“Seeing you where?”

“On campus! Outside of the library. I introduced you to Ben.”

“I don’t really understand the joke. But I can barely hear you.” Someone is speaking to her in the background. It sounds like she’s at a bar.

She doesn’t remember, then. Does that mean it never happened? I have to ask one more time. “So you really weren’t here yesterday?”

“No. Is everything alright?”

I’m not really sure how to answer that. I think about telling her everything, but I probably shouldn’t freak her out right now. Especially while she’s out with her friends. I let out a sigh and say, “Yeah, it’s fine. I’ll tell you about it later.”

“Alright. Text me later, okay? Love you.”

“Love you, too.”

I say goodbye and hang up the phone. Then I check the date. I’ve never been so relieved to see the month of April on the screen. I even check a few news articles. A question occurs to me. I send Ben another message.

What day is it for you?



November third



It’s April again



Are you sure?



Yes, I’m looking at my calendar now



I even tell him about my call with Julie. How she’s still in Copenhagen, that she doesn’t remember seeing us. Neither of us can make any sense of it. There’s no way Ben and I are living six months apart. How could we have seen each other yesterday?

This is a lot to process