Chapter 3

Liam from the future seemed to know that even though I wasn’t replying, I still read every message.

His pleas for me not to disappear gradually turned into a one-sided conversation.

[It’s going to rain where you are today.]

[Remember to bring an umbrella.]

I silently answered, "Okay."

The morning sky was clear blue, without a single cloud.

I still tucked a folding umbrella into my bag.

On my way out of the dorm, I took another from the hook behind the door.

This was a habit I had kept up for almost six months.

It started the first time he said, "I’m coming to your city on business."

His message popped up that day, saying work would bring him to my city the following month and he might stay for two days.

I didn’t ask if he would come see me. I didn’t dare.

But after that, I always chose a seat in the back row near the classroom door and ordered two extra dishes at the cafeteria.

Whenever the forecast called for rain, I brought an extra umbrella and kept it beside me.

What if he really did show up?

Then I could pull out the chair beside me, slide my lunch over, and hand him an umbrella.

Would he think… "She’s been waiting for me"?

He never came.

Deep down, I knew he wouldn’t.

He only said, "Next month." He never even gave me a date.

But somehow, I couldn’t let go of the thought.

As though it had left a small door open inside me, always waiting for something to come through.

Now I stood at the entrance to the classroom building, and the rain really did begin to fall.

It came down hard and fast, pelting the steps.

Someone came out of the corridor behind me and stopped by my side.

I turned my head slightly.

It was Liam.

My heart lurched, as though something gave it a sudden, violent tug.

The rain was loud, but I could hear the moment my heartbeat faltered.

I opened my mouth, then closed it.

The words "What are you doing here?" nearly slipped out, but I swallowed them.

"…Are you here to see Ivy?"

He nodded. "She doesn’t have any classes this afternoon. She asked me to take her out."

He was soaked, with water trickling down his temples.

He clearly ran all the way here and got caught in the sudden downpour.

"She’s probably in the dorm." I took the umbrella from my bag and held it out to him. "You can borrow this. Just give it to Ivy when you’re done."

He glanced at me and took it, then lowered his head and fiddled with the fastening.

"You brought two umbrellas."

"Yeah."

I didn’t explain, and he didn’t ask.

The rain grew heavier. I opened the umbrella in my hand.

"Renee."

I turned back. He stood under the overhang, his umbrella still closed, and looked at me.

He seemed unsure whether to say something.

"I keep thinking you…"

He paused.

"You seem familiar somehow."

I walked into the rain without answering.

The downpour didn’t last long. By the time I reached the end of the path from the classroom building, it was already easing.

A small patch of pale blue appeared in the sky as I reached the dorm.

It was just a passing shower.

I closed my umbrella and went upstairs.

Ivy was standing in front of the mirror when I opened our door.

She twirled. "Do I look good?"

She wore a pale blue dress, its skirt flaring slightly as she spun.

"You do." I nodded.

"Okay, I’m off!"

"…Good luck."

"Good luck!" she echoed emphatically in the same tone.

Her eyes crinkled into a smile as bright as sunshine.

The door closed, and the room fell quiet.

I left my wet umbrella open on the balcony, changed into dry clothes, and lay down on my bed.

My phone lay beside my pillow. A moment later, it lit up.

The message came from Ivy’s account.

I opened it, expecting her to say she forgot something. My fingers were already poised to type, "I’ll bring it down."

Instead, the message read:

[Are you Renee Carter?]