Between Two Devil's

Same Dream,

es snapp

e white ceiling above. She wasn't sure where she was-jus

her. Pale. Still. His face gave nothing away. His

t her mouth wouldn't m

ntly, like he had done it before. His fingers were

ng, he leaned forwa

eath c

oser, he disappeared. And

egs moved on their own, but her bare feet slapped the fl

behind him. Silent but fast. H

stum

el

or, but she forced herself up. Her lun

ched he

I ble

e face-beautiful and terrifying all at o

ve you, Goora.

like that-

ped her alarm clock

00

ing at the ceiling of her real be

tmare," sh

t four time

the pillow. The screen was full o

BIRTHD

Can you b

ter not

side so

, despite

over her dresser. She looked like herself, but... not quite. H

is Goora?" s

e just been a weird dream thing. But it stuck wi

sted jeans and a black crop hoodie, slipped her

nt in her white sports car, sunglass

n there?" Al

ger seat, tossing her ba

t in your sleep." Alex raised an

off," Ava

is not the day to be weird. It's your birthday, Ava. Which mea

ed. "I'm n

ou could star in one of those drama

her eyes. "

celebrating? Movie night? Par

kinda thought about... m

ad so fast the car

re jo

op

r Feelings' is thinking about-wow. Is this a birthd

ned. "Ma

you sure you're ready? Or is this just one o

. I like him. It just... fe

you want to. Not because Clar

muttered as they pulled i

lled like a mix of floor cleaner and cafeteria pizza, and there

of the car before Clara

ake smile on. "Birthday girl. Big 18. So.

ed. "My..

d. "You know

dn't r

in fast. "Bac

ff, her usual backup girls trailing

lex asked onc

said. "She's

nore her. She's jealous becaus

ut something s

corner into the main

as some

ns, backpack slung over one shoulder. He looked up-right at her. His e

est ti

smi

move. Could

He's new, right? I ha

either," Av

u o

slowly, "I just g

ha

g. Neve

o focus, but her mind kept drifting. Her sketchbook was ope

t stop think

at her. Like he

sroom do

s. "Alright, people, heads up-we've got

look

was