After Digging Up the Time Capsule, I Disappeared

“You can pick me.”

It was the same boy who had been talking to Ryan earlier—Jason Reed.

I drew a deep breath and pointed at him.

“I’ll pick him.”

Ryan had thought I’d choose to drink instead. He froze, stunned.

As Jason and I leaned closer, Ryan’s bottle slipped from his hand, beer spilling.

He stormed out of the Karaoke Room, and right then, my phone buzzed with his message.

“Come out.”

The moment I stepped outside, Ryan dragged me into a corner.

“Claire Miller, when did you become so shallow? Playing games that far?”

I almost laughed. Now he cared about what I did?

“So what? It was just a game. Didn’t you just do a drinking challenge with Emily?”

Ryan’s face darkened.

“That’s different—I like her. Do you really think that guy likes you? You honestly believe that? You’re way too full of yourself!”

His rapid-fire questions left me shaken.

In my daze, I remembered the twenty-eight-year-old version of this man telling me:

“Claire, you’ve always been worthy of love.”

“Ryan, in your eyes, am I really not even worthy of being loved?”

The grievance surged up, stinging my nose.

“What else would you expect?”

The words slipped out, and then he turned, noticing my reddened eyes. Regret flickered across his face.

“You… forget it. Just don’t be so reckless anymore.”

Ryan spun around and walked back into the Karaoke Room.

I squatted down in the alley, feeling like these seven days were a form of torture.

“So pathetic, Claire. Did you think I wouldn’t notice you like him?”

It was Emily.

“Claire, I hate people touching what’s mine. I’ve tolerated you because Ryan kept bringing you along. But from now on, I hope you’ll have some self-awareness and stay away from him.”

I stood up, forcing a bitter smile.

“Don’t worry. I won’t anymore.”

No sooner had I spoken than a man rushed out of the alley, grabbing Emily’s wrist.

“You little tramp, finally found you. Thought you could ghost me, huh?”

Emily’s face went pale, terror flashing across it.

It was the first time I’d ever seen her look so scared.

He tried to drag her away.

I mustered every ounce of strength, shoving him back and pulling Emily behind me.

The man stumbled, nearly falling.

“I’m warning you. My friends are coming out any second. Don’t you dare make a move.”

He spat on the ground.

“Who cares? Think I’m scared? I’ll beat you too if you don’t get out of the way!”

He raised his fist.

I shut my eyes, Ryan’s face filling my mind.

But the pain never came. Instead, I heard the sounds of fists colliding.

When I opened my eyes, the thug was on the ground, Ryan’s fist clenched, his glare fierce.

“Ry—”

“Emily!”

Our voices overlapped.

I looked at him. He looked at her.

Ryan rushed past me, frantic, checking Emily for injuries.

In another world, when I’d run into danger on my way home, Ryan had descended like this too.

But that Ryan had held me tight, afraid I’d get hurt.

“I’m fine, Ryan.”

Only then did he breathe out in relief.

The thug staggered to his feet, pointing at me.

“You’ll regret this!”

Then he bolted.

Ryan frowned at me.