Geekerella (Starfield #1)(49)

Even though Olympic Park is in the heart of Atlanta, the world is mute. The park’s supposed to be closed at night, but when the night guard recognized me, he let me slip the fence. Perks to having a recognizable face, I suppose. Or having a gigantic bodyguard. Only me, my breath pumping in and out of my lungs, and my feet thumping against the pavement. Enough to make everything feel clear and sharp. Enough to make me want to tell Elle the truth—that I wish I were with her too. But in no universe can that ever happen, can it? All I can do is be there the only way I know how, and it’ll never be enough.

It’s been over two hours since her last text. She’s probably pissed that I haven’t texted her back, or she’s asleep. Or both.

But still, I have to try.


10:45 PM

—I have an idea.

—Let’s play I Spy.

With a whoosh of speed, my bodyguard passes me.

“What the—”

“Too slow!” Lonny throws over his shoulder, pulling ahead of me around the track. The one part of my “fitness regimen” I actually enjoyed doing—running—is the one thing I can’t do alone anymore. I’m surprised I can still pee alone, honestly. Soon Lonny’ll probably start tailing me to the urinal.

Still no text. I type another message.


10:46 PM

—I’ll start.

—I spy something big.

Please answer, I all but beg. After a moment, the typing notification appears beside her name and sends through a message with a soft ding.


Elle 10:46 PM

—Inside or outside?


10:46 PM

—Outside.

I don’t have to glance up to know it’s a clear night. The streetlights don’t even need to be on, it’s so bright out here. In fact, I can see my bodyguard’s shadow rounding up behind me. This feels like the scene from that superhero movie with a certain dude with a shield.

“On your—”

“Left,” I deadpan as he passes. “Show-off!”


Elle 10:59 PM

—I don’t know—a cloud?

—This is impossible.

—How am I supposed to guess if I’m not there to see, Car?


10:59 PM

—Tsk, tsk, patience!

—You don’t always have to be where I am for us to see the same thing, young padawan

“You’re smiling,” Lonny says as he passes me again.

I wave my hand after him. “Oh go on! Keep lapping me.”


Elle 11:01 PM

—I still don’t get it.


11:04 PM

—I’ll give you a hint.

—Look up.

—When was the last time you did?

I look up, thinking that maybe she is too.

Stars and stars for as far as the eye can see. The inky blackness is so dark it looks purple, bejeweled with abandoned bits of glitter. So many stars, white hot, flaring, burning like candles in the night sky.

I spy…


Elle 11:09 PM

—Is it the sky?


11:09 PM

—Not JUST the sky. It’s the SAME sky.

—And if we’re both looking up at the same sky, how far apart can we REALLY be? What were the odds of us being put on the same slab of rock in this huge universe?

“On your left!” my bodyguard shouts again, skirting around me. “Looks like you only got two speeds—slow and slower!”

I glare after him. “Excuse me?”

Lonny spins around and begins jogging backward. “Prove me wrong, pretty boy.”

That is it.

He has followed me. He has towered over me with that serious, terrifyingly calm face of his. He’s been a quiet, stalking Weeping Angel for as long as he’s been around. But Hades’ll freeze over before I let him throw shade like that.

I shove my phone into my jogging shorts pocket, then take off after him. He begins to pick up speed. We round the first corner, legs pumping. I gain on him, one stride at a time, my heart hammering in my throat.

“On your left!” I shout, sprinting past him to the finish line.

We slow down and double over, putting our hands on our knees. I suck in a painful breath, chest aching. I think I pulled my ego running.

“I win,” I wheeze.

Lonny begins to laugh, and once I realize how silly it all is, I begin to laugh too—and then I wince, ribs hurting.

“There you go, boss!” he says after a moment, righting himself. “You’re never going to pull ahead unless you really go for it.”

He gives his arms a shake, rolling his head to and fro, stretching his massive shoulders. I take the opportunity pull out my phone—still no answer.

Maybe Lonny’s right. I need to really go for it.


11:09 PM

—Elle, we might not know much about each other, and I might not be there, and you might not be here, but I’m glad to share this sky with you.

—Maybe we should start looking up together, ah’blena





AH’BLENA.

My heart. The words that Carmindor says to Amara in the last episode. The episode when she…when the Black Nebula…

I hold the phone to my chest and stare out my bedroom window, up and up at the clear and cloudless sky.

“We aren’t alone,” I say quietly, liking how the words fit around my lips. If this is the impossible universe, then I hope tonight was the good sort of impossible.