“What’s your problem?” He gave me an “are you nuts” look.
“You wouldn’t believe me. Just take me with you. Don’t leave me in this prison!”
“A prison?” He snorted. “Relaxing by a heated pool surrounded by wealth and luxury? Yeah … poor you. I can really sympathize.”
“You don’t understand!”
“No argument there. How hard did you hit your head, anyway?”
“My head’s okay, but I’m not. I have to get out of here before it’s too late. They’ll force me to have Botox injections. And exercise! It’s barbaric!”
“Excuse me for not giving a shit.”
“How did you get in here, anyway?” I kept a tight grip on his arm so he couldn’t bolt. “It would take wings to get over that fence.”
“Or a ladder,” he said with a shrug. “Now if you—”
“What about the dogs?”
“Not a problem if you come prepared.” He nonchalantly pulled a small packet labeled “Canine Candy” from his pocket. “Besides, they’re big puppies and not really vicious.”
He moved to go, shaking off my arm. But I recovered quickly and grabbed hold of his wet shirt. “Please don’t go. Help me get away.”
“Leah, you are the last person to need my help. I can’t believe you’re even talking to me, instead of telling me to get lost and calling me stuff like ‘dork’ and ‘geek.’”
“I’ve changed. I’m a different person.” I moved directly in front of him and stared into his eyes. “Eli, look at me.”
“Why?”
“Really look at me — deep into my eyes. I’m not who you think I am.”
“Oh, really?” he said sarcastically. “So, who are you?”
“Amber Borden.”
“Shut up!” He jumped back angrily.
“It’s true!”
“You’re — you’re sick!” he sputtered.
“No, I’m not. I’m scared and I just want to go home. I’m Amber.”
“Don’t you ever say her name again!” He glared then abruptly turned to leave. “You think you’re all that, but you’re just a big fake. Amber is real.”
“But I’m the real Amber!’ I cried, flinging myself forward to block him. “Would Leah even talk to you? Would she care what you thought? Can’t you see that this body isn’t really me?”
“You’re crazy.”
“I’m not! Honest!” I was close to tears. “Let me explain …
“I don’t know what kind of sick game you’re playing, but save it for Chad.”
“I don’t want Chad. I want you.”
“Hitting your head must have scrambled your brain.”
“My head is okay, but my real body is in danger. I only look like Leah. Inside, I’m Amber.”
“You have no right to talk about her — you didn’t even know her.” His face reddened. “But I was starting to and … well … just show some respect.”
“You
“No, but—”
“See, that proves I’m not Leah.”
“Anyone can spout off math. Even you.”
“I’m not the
His eyes narrowed. “How did you know about that?”
“I was there!”
“No, you weren’t. Jessica asked me where you were and I didn’t know. No one knew you were sick until later.”
“That was Leah — not me. I’m Amber. Really, I am.”
“Stop talking crazy!”
“When we talked at Jessica’s party, I was wearing my friend Dustin’s baggy shirt.” Before he could call me crazy again, I started talking fast, explaining about the car accident and seeing my grandmother but making a wrong turn at the Milky Way and suddenly becoming Leah.
“I know it sounds insane. Finding myself in this body — not me anymore — has been a horrible nightmare.” I glanced down at my perky breasts, slim waist, and long, golden-tanned legs. “Please believe me.”
“This is beyond weird,” he murmured, but his tone was different now, almost compassionate. Sympathy for the crazy girl, I guessed.
“It’s all true. My explanation is the only way it adds up.”
“Oh?” he asked skeptically.
“Think back to Amber’s accident and Leah’s illness. Both happened the same day, but Leah was already in the hospital before you met me … I mean, Amber. Amber went directly home from the party where I — she — was hit by the mail truck. There’s no way Amber could have told Leah — who was already in the hospital — about our candy sampling and conversation. The only one who knew that is Amber. Me.”
“Interesting timeline,” he admitted. “Too bizarre for belief and I should get the hell away from you.”
“So why aren’t you running?”
He squeezed more water from his shirt. “On the night my grandfather died, I dreamed he visited me. The next morning I found a penny on my desk dating 1929—the year Grandpa was born. Let me think for a minute.”
“Hurry.” I glanced at the house. “Angie will be back soon.”
He nodded, but his gaze was distant as if calculating a complex equation. Finally he nodded, was quiet for a moment as if deep in thought, then turned to me with a solemn look. “Answer one question. Something that only Amber would know.”
“Anything.”
“What did Amber call Domino candy?”
“Zebra candy,” I said without hesitating. “The black-and-white stripes reminded me of zebras — and they tasted sooo good. I kept eating them even after you left. Why did you leave so abruptly anyway? Did I say something wrong?”
“It wasn’t you — it was me. I’m such a klutz, bumping and dropping stuff like always. Chad says I’m a walking disaster area. I figured you’d be glad I left.”
“Actually I was disappointed … I mean … I was really liking you.”
“You were?” He sounded surprised.
“Well … yeah.”
“Really? You didn’t think I was a klutz?”
“I thought you were nice and I was hoping you’d ask for my email or phone number.”
“Serious?”
“As serious as quantum physics. You have great taste in desserts.”
“So do you … you really are …”
He stopped abruptly, the color draining from his face. Then he went still as stone. I wasn’t sure he was even breathing. It was as if I’d shocked the life out of him. Then his expression changed. His frown curved up into a smile, and light sparked in his eyes. He took a step forward, reaching out with his right hand. All he said was, “Amber.”
Then he offered his chocolate bar to me.
