Fusion (23 page)

“What happened?” Kellan sat up beside me. His eyes narrowed. “Are you okay?”

“My throat. It closed up. I couldn’t breathe.”

“Can you breathe now?” he asked, getting up. “Harry, can you get your mom? Arizona might need some Benadryl.”

Harry was over in a flash with Ariele close behind him. “Take deep breaths, Arizona. You’re not allergic to anything we know. Did you eat anything different today?”

“Probably, but that’s not it. And I am fine now,” I said rubbing my neck.

“I’ll get Mom,” Harry said.

“No, don’t. It’s nothing.”

“It didn’t seem like nothing,” Kellan mumbled. “You should have her look at it.”

“It was Simla,” I said.

The boys and Ariele freaked out.

“Ariele, get Dr. Fox. We’ll stay here with Arizona. Which direction did she go in, Arizona?” Harry shouted.

“No, no! She wasn’t here!”

“Huh?” Ariele muttered.

“Why did you say it was Simla then?” Harry asked.

“I don’t know. Well, I do, but I don’t know how to explain it. I felt my throat burning, and I couldn’t breathe. All I saw was Simla’s face cackling at me.”

The three of them went quiet.

“Look, I’m sorry to have freaked you guys out. I don’t know what that was, but Simla isn’t here. Let’s go back to our rooms. I need a shower, plus Ella is waiting for me. Ariele, I told Ella she could sleep over. Hope that’s okay with you.”

“Hold on, Arizona. I think the three of us can explain the Simla thing to you,” she said. She looked at Kellan and Harry, who both nodded.

“It sounds like you just remembered the attack in the restroom at school. Simla got you by the throat and tried to choke you to death… maybe not to death, but she did leave you in a really bad shape.”

“Why would she do that?”

Harry explained the story to me, and as he did, I could almost see it play out in my head. I was there. It happened to me, not some doppelganger. These were my memories.

“Do you know what triggered the recall? What were you doing when you remembered? It’s important that we figure this out in case we can use it to help you remember other stuff,” Harry said.

I peeked at Kellan, turning a shade or two redder. I felt pretty sure that what we’d been doing had absolutely nothing to do with my sudden flash of memory and shook my head. “No, no idea,” I said to Harry.

“Actually, I might.” Kellan shifted uncomfortably.

All eyes were on him.

“The night after the attack, when I stayed with Arizona…” He coughed. “In the middle of the night, she kissed me, her throat still raw from the attack. I think that might have triggered this… kissing me that way.”

“Get out!” Ariele spewed.

“I concur,” Harry said. “Anyhow, I guess that makes sense.”

I didn’t remember that kiss, but if that’s what brought on the recall, I’d be more than happy to explore that trigger again.

“Wipe that goofy grin off your face.” Ariele laughed. “Come on, we better go if Ella is waiting. And you, Kell, jump back in the pool.”

“So,” Ariele said, as we walked back to our room. “All thoughts of David are now in the past?”

“They have to be,” I said sourly.

“I guess, but
are
they?”

How could they be? David had been my dream. I had totally planned my life to include walking down the aisle in a Marchesa gown and saying, “I do,” to him. And I couldn’t shake that image. Not yet. “I don’t know.”

“You and Kellan is all I have known, and you guys are perfect together. It’s not like you’re exactly pushing him away.”

True. In fact, just the opposite. All I wanted to do when he got within inches of me was jump his bones. I could feel his strong desire for me, and it drove me to him, hungry for more. And now, right before the Simla scare, I had felt something so euphoric when I kissed him. I had been so invested in the sense of being completely with him.

“In fact,” Ariele continued, “you’re totally loving his attention. Jump his bones already, and save us all from more of this unrequited lust crap.”

“So, we haven’t yet?” It was a question that had really gnawed at me. It wasn’t like I could just ask him.

“Nope. Not that you told me about, anyway. And you did tell me everything.” She frowned.

We were at our room and stopped chattering when we spotted Ella in my bed, reading on her iPad.

“What took you so long?” she asked, stretching.

“You tired?” I asked.

“A little. Can we do your nails tomorrow instead?”

“Sure, but aren’t you going to Universal?”

“Yeah, but I can do them in the car. Mom said it’s a long ride.”

“I was thinking of not going.”

“Oh? What about you, Ariele?”

“Gonna stay here with Arizona.”

“Why? It’ll be fun!” She pouted.

“I need a break, and I don’t want to be stuck in that van for five hours. Plus, if the three of us don’t come, it’ll be a bit more space for you.”

“Kellan’s not coming either? Your mom and dad aren’t coming, anyway,” she said to Ariele.

Darn. We’d have to figure out how to get past them. “What about Celia?” I asked.

“No, just Mom, Harry, and Kellan’s dad now I guess.”

“Harry will make sure you have a great time.”

“Yep, I know. Maybe we can do a girl’s day out to the spa or go shopping?”

“Perfect.”

“Good, that’s settled. I am going to go and take that shower now,” Ariele said and disappeared.

I got into my pajamas and slipped under the covers with Ella. “So? I haven’t forgotten what you said before. Are you going to tell me what you found in Celia’s closet?”

Ella got up and reached into her bag. Pulling something out, she clutched it against her chest so I couldn’t see what it was. She climbed back into bed.

“Ella! Did you steal something from Celia’s closet?”

“Borrowed. I am going to put it back.”

“You better. Okay, what is it? Show me.”

She reluctantly handed me the pictures—three of them. I studied them carefully—pictures of Ella with Celia.

“These are nice. You look cute.”

She scowled. “Look at them properly, Arizona! Look at my hair!”

I looked again. Ella was wearing a red wig, and Celia must have done her makeup. She looked different but still cute. I shrugged.

“That’s not me,” she hissed.

“Huh? Yes, it is.”

“No, it’s not,” she insisted. “I didn’t play dress-up or get my picture taken today.”

I was confused. These were clearly pictures of Ella. “What are you saying? Photoshopped? Why would Celia do that?”

“I don’t know! It’s weird, though, right?”

“Totally. Have you shown these to Mom?”

“Not yet. She’s been with Celia all evening.”

“Hey,” I said as Ariele came out the bathroom. “Check these out.”

Ariele glanced at the pictures and had the same reaction I did. When I explained, she looked at me funny, biting her lips.

It hit me. She didn’t have to say it, especially not in front of Ella. As she opened her mouth, I wanted to jump up and clamp it shut. “Don—”

“It’s probably photoshopped,” she said lightly. “Maybe it’s for a scrapbooking project or something.”

Phew.

“Should I show them to Mom, or do you think it might ruin a surprise?” Ella asked.

“Show it to Mom but wait until after Universal.” If Celia was hanging out with Ella’s doppelganger, Mom had to know about it. But I’d rather the shit hit the fan after we left for Princeton.

E
lla had obviously not shared her plans for the day with Mom. Her assumption that the trip to Universal was this morning took Mom by surprise.

“But, Mom! I got us all up early so we can head off.”

Well, that explained the four-thirty in the morning breakfast. She’d woken us all up way before dawn, telling us that breakfast was ready. She’d obviously prepared it herself. We’d walked into the kitchen, yawning and looking like zombies, to a table set up with bowls of cornflakes and juice, which Ella expected us to count as morning fuel.

Even Ariele’s parents joined us, looking discombobulated at having been awakened so early. We all sat around munching while Ella and Mom battled it out about the trip. Ella won when she played the
you said
card. Mom had told her that Universal was the reason for the trip. So that was that.

“Mom, I’m not coming.” I yawned.

She looked disappointed. “I know it’s early, but you can sleep in the car.”

“Just don’t feel like it. I’m going to hang here and relax.”

Mom nodded with empathy, probably wishing she could do the same.

“I’m out as well.” Ariele perked up.

“And me,” Kellan added.

“You still want to go?” Mom asked looking at Ella, clearly hoping she’d not.

“Yes! Harry will take me on all the rides. Won’t you, Harry?”

Harry laughed. “Yes, but way to cop out, you three!”

“Good,” Mom said. “What about you, Glenda? Pierre?”

“You should go. It’ll be fun,” Ariele encouraged.

Ariele’s mom shook her head.

“Come on, hon,” her husband said, “let’s make a day of it. Larry, are you going?”

“Yes, I’m driving.”

Dr. Moreau looked resistant, but her husband’s bright smile melted her. “What if we get recognized?”

“I think you’ll be fine. It’s been so long, and Ariele won’t be with you. It’s her picture that was plastered all over the place,” Celia said, coming into the room. “I see you got breakfast, but let me know if you want anything else.”

I noticed Ella casting a suspicious look at Celia, and I nudged her, whispering, “Not now. Wait until you get back. Okay? We don’t want a blow-up right now when you’re in a hurry to get on the road.”

She nodded.

Shortly after Ella, Mom, Harry, and the others left, Celia knocked at our bedroom door and peeked her head in.

“Girls, I have to go. Will you be okay here on your own? I have to leave for the day. There is plenty of food in the fridge, and if you need anything, just call Greg or me.”

I decided to go for it. “Do you have a car we can borrow?”

“Oh, well, there is a spare in the garage. Were you planning to go somewhere particular? Olivia didn’t mention it.”

“No, not really,” I said as casually as I could. “I don’t like being stuck out in the middle of nowhere without transport. It’s a bit frightening.”

“I know what you mean. Most towns outside the big cities are like this with no public transportation. And I guess there would be no harm in you driving into town for a coffee except that you don’t have a valid driver’s license here?”

I shook my head, but Ariele held up hers. “I sure do.”

“Well, you’re the last person we want identified at the moment, so put that away. Come with me.”

We followed her into the kitchen where she picked out a set of keys from the key holder. She ushered us into the large three-car garage and pointed to a red Mini Cooper. “You can use that only in an emergency. Here is the key.”

I took it, trying not to beam too widely.

“Will you be okay? I’m going to Hollywood, so I will be gone all day and won’t be back until later tonight. I am sorry. I didn’t plan to leave you all alone. I had assumed you would be with Olivia. There is just something I have to do today.”

“Oh, don’t worry about us,” I reassured her. “After yesterday, we really need a day to just hang out and relax.”

“Good. There are plenty of books in the library, and feel free to watch TV. Make yourselves at home. Greg will be home at dinnertime, and I have asked him to take you out for something to eat.” She kissed our cheeks, and we waved as she drove off in her black Porsche Boxter.

“Score!” Ariele said.

“Yes, and check out this sweet ride.” I walked over to the Mini and ran my finger over the metal. “I’ve always wanted one of these.”

“I’d rather have her Porsche,” Ariele said, “but this will do for a ride to the airport. Let’s go get Kellan and take off.”

When Kellan didn’t respond to my tap on his door, I let myself in. He had fallen back asleep. He looked peaceful, but I had to wake him. I pulled at his elbow. “Kell, wake up!” I whispered.

“Mmm, mm. What’s the time?” He grabbed my hand and pulled me down beside him, opening his eyes and sending my pulse into overdrive with his hungry look.

“Stop that, Kell! We’ve got to get out of here. Celia’s left for the day, and we’ve got a ride!” I told him about the Mini.

He jumped out of bed and walked toward the bathroom, throwing off his clothes on his way. I turned away and left to pack.

We were on the road half an hour later. Thankfully, the Mini had a GPS to help us get to SFO. I drove, leaving Kellan and Ariele to figure out flights to Newark. It sucked not being able to book our tickets, and it meant that we’d probably be stuck flying standby. “Anything?” I asked.

“There are loads of flights, but we need a nonstop.”

“Ariele, your driver’s license may be a problem,” I pointed out. “Not that airport security scans them or anything, but what if someone recognizes you?”

“Yeah. No one knows me here, but I guess someone might recall my face from the pics in the newspapers. It was a long time ago, though. I’ll just have to chance it, ’cause I’m sure not driving all that way.”