Revived

“Good idea,” Matt says bitterly before turning and slamming my bedroom door behind him.

twenty-five

Since Revive is staying at home, we get to fly to Seattle. I’m glad about it, but something about seeing people say goodbye to one another at the security gate sets me off. I bite the inside of my cheek to hold back tears, increasingly frustrated by what happened with Matt, worried about Audrey, and concerned about Case 22 and the program overall. Once I’m through the metal detector, I tell Mason and Cassie I’ll meet them at the gate. Then I spend some time coming unglued and piecing myself back together in the privacy of the foul-smelling airport bathroom.

On the plane, I turn on my most miserable playlist and speak to no one the entire flight. In fact, I pretend to be asleep once we’re in the air, and keep pretending through snack service and turbulence. Just before we land, I finally remove my earbuds and put away my iPod. The flight attendant says it’s okay to turn our phones back on, and I’m happy to find a text waiting from Audrey.

Audrey: Matt said you guys are fighting. Everything ok?

With fresh tears popping into my eyes, I write back:

Daisy: Not sure. Hope so.

Audrey: Me, too.

Daisy: Are you feeling okay?

Audrey: Oh yeah, fine. I was just tired.

There is a pause, then Audrey texts again:

Audrey: I don’t mean to downplay everything that’s going on in your life, but I have good news. Do you want to hear it?

Smiling, I type:

Daisy: YES!

Audrey’s giving me something to hold on to.

Audrey: Ok so I just found out that I’m getting surgery!!

I type:

Daisy: OMG that’s great!!!

But something’s nudging me, so I type:

Daisy: But, Aud, I thought they couldn’t operate?

Audrey: New doctor = more optimistic. Maybe he can fix me.

I desperately want to be happy for Audrey, but something about the possibility of surgery now, when it’s never been an option before, makes me feel skeptical. But I don’t want to be a downer.

Daisy: He will! Think positively!

Audrey: I’m trying.

Daisy: I’ve got fingers and toes crossed for you.

Audrey: Thanks, Dais. Have a great time in Seattle. Miss you already!

Daisy: Miss you, too.

I put away the phone and Mason looks over at me quizzically. His tall frame is squished into the aisle seat. Despite her height, Cassie has room to spare in the middle.

“Everything okay?” Mason asks.

“I’m not sure,” I say, pressing my head against the window as we pull up at the gate, incredibly thankful that my fellow travelers are a disinterested fembot and a man who’s never been one to pry.

We check in to the hotel, have dinner, and bid one another goodnight. After posting a response to Megan’s note about my theory that Monday morning is clearly better than Sunday night, I check my email.

There’s nothing from Matt.

I start a movie, but it’s a romantic comedy, and all it does is make me see how unfunny my life is. I turn it off and climb into bed hoping tomorrow will be a better day. Before I turn out the lights, I text Megan.

Daisy: Crap week. Can’t wait to hang out.

Megan: Always here for you. Get some sleep and we’ll fix it tomorrow.

Daisy: Love you

Megan: Love you more

In the morning, Mason is reading an email on his phone when I join him and Cassie in the lobby. He frowns at the text on the screen, and then shows it to Cassie.

“Interesting,” she says as we walk to the car.

“To say the least,” Mason mutters.

When we’re all buckled in, I ask what’s going on.

“God seems to be starting another lab.”

“Why?” I ask. “Isn’t the one in Virginia doing well?”

“It is,” Mason says. “It was custom made for the program in its current iteration. The only reason I can think that he’d want another one is…” His voice trails off, like he’s considering his words.

“What?” I ask.

Cassie lets out her breath sharply. Sometimes I think she gets annoyed by how much Mason shares with me. But Mason tells me anyway.

“Expansion.”

I’m still wondering what Mason meant when Cassie knocks twice on the Holloways’ door. When Megan’s mom, Alicia, flings it open, I jump in front of my parental figures to hug her. The apartment smells like the world’s best banana muffins, and instantly, I’m calmer.

They’re halcyon muffins.

I smile at the thought of the SAT word, thinking that Matt would laugh. Then I remember our fight and eject him from my thoughts.

“Come in,” Alicia says to the three of us. “How are you?”

She’s one of those people who are so joyful that you fall in love with her instantly. Mason beams at her—