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There's a moment in everyone's life when they feel it. All the energy of the universe settling in, taking a deep breath as it watches you. As you take one step, or say one word, or do one thing that sets you, irrevocably, down the path you were meant to be on. There's that one moment when you know that things are changing and that no matter what you do, you can't stop what's coming. The feeling of being drawn through the river, tugged by the current that was the flow of time.
I was feeling more like I was going to throw up.
"You okay?" Angie asked me.
"No."
She patted me sympathetically. "You'll be fine."
"So supportive."
"Would you rather I tell you that you're going to die?"
"To be honest, yes."
"I'll never understand how your brain works."
"Says the person who thinks that peanut butter and peppers go well together."
"It's an acquired taste."
"So is masochism."
"Don't be so dramatic. You'll be fine." She gave me another pat on the head.
And somehow, despite the twisting feeling in my stomach, I feel comforted. Angie's always been there for me. It's fitting that she'd be here for this too.
"Are you ready?" Cassidy came up to the two of us in Dr. Cheng form, one hand absentmindedly adjusting the placement of her square glasses.
Angie looked from Dr. Cheng to me. "Is this her?"
"Mhmm."
Angie looked at Dr. Cheng again, her eyebrows creased. "You're the skin-changer?"
"You told her?" Dr. Cheng asked me, a note of panic in her voice. "Lailah-"
"It's fine," I interrupted her. "I've told her everything. She was the first one who knew about... well, you know."
"I'm afraid this is a serious breach of protocol," Dr. Cheng said, her brows furrowed. "I'm not sure if-"
"Screw protocol," I muttered. Then, louder, "I've never kept secrets from Angie." Well, except for that one time that I helped one of her younger brothers, Mason, steal the cookies that she had made for her dance party. But that was one time and I didn't think that she'd appreciate me telling her that now. There was also the fact that I felt like I was making a huge mistake and was wondering if my entire existence was for naught. I hadn't told her that either. "And I'm not going to start now."
Dr. Cheng shook her head. "This is unprecedented. It's going to be risky if the two of you stay in touch. Phone calls can be hacked and letters are too easily intercepted."
