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WE RESUME OUR MISSION the next day, after Timuthy and Lisa's stay in the motel. Both complain about a lack of sleep, and Lisa keeps scratching her legs, which makes me wonder if I was right about the bedbugs.
Sandalphon's been quieter than usual today. Now that I know his secret, and he knows that I know, our vibe has been a little different. If I could read his mind, I totally would, because I'm dying to know his thoughts.
I really hope he's not reading my mind today; if he was, I would be mortified forever. All morning, Alyx has been sending pictures of Sandalphon, each one with a heart eyes emoji. While we're riding in Timuthy's station wagon, she sends me a stupidly hot pic of my instructor. His hair is slicked back, and most of his blue shirt is unbuttoned, save for a single button in the middle. His hair is so blonde, he looks like he's glowing. Actually, he always looks like that.
The picture is so drool-worthy, I have a hard time believing he's one of the less popular Archangels—and that is the precisely the kind of thought that I don't want him to hear.
Alyx's fifth and final text says, “Sandalphon could get it... at least, that's what I'd say if I didn't have a bf. If I was you, I'd throw myself at him and see what happens. What have you got to lose?”
I think I've got everything to lose. I consider him a friend—sort of—and I don't want to mess that up. Besides, I've never thrown myself at a guy, and I don't think I ever would. Even with a regular guy, I wouldn't do that, and Sandalphon's a frickin' Archangel. I can't stop thinking about that. How could anyone be bold enough to throw themselves at an Archangel?
For whatever reason, Timuthy's driving isn't as dire today. I don't feel like we're in constant danger of wrecking, so that's a good thing. Nevertheless, it's a boring, uneventful ride, and when we cross the border from Kentucky to Ohio, I practically cheer.
“It's kind of sad to think we'll be parting ways,” Timuthy says. “I know I got beat up, and I'm probably crazy for saying this, but... I enjoyed our time together.”
I'm slightly shocked when Lisa agrees, “Yeah. Me too.”
As we're driving into Cincinnati, I hear a young man's voice in my head.
“Ask for her number. Ask for her number. Ask her out.”
My hand isn't far from my crystal, but I didn't expect to hear Timuthy's thoughts. If he wants to ask her out, shouldn't we help with that? What if a little coaxing from us could give him the courage he needs?
“Where do you want me to drop you off?” Timuthy asks.
Lisa recites her parents' address and slips on a pair of sunglasses. They're weird and gaudy, like everything from the 80's, but I think I would have enjoyed living in this era. Its movies are cheesy, but cute, and the music is pretty good.
I almost ask Sander what era he would like to live in—then I remember he's probably been around for every era. It would be the definition of a pointless question.
Before I know it, Timuthy is pulling into the parents' driveway. As Lisa exits the car, I shout, “Wait! Don't let her go! I thought you wanted to ask her out?”
Sandalphon's eyebrows snap together when he hears me shouting. “What are you doing, Mikayla?”
“Timuthy wanted to ask her out! I thought I heard one of his thoughts a little bit ago. He wanted to ask her out, so—”
Sandalphon interrupts, “That is not our concern. Technically, our job was complete as soon as we arrived. Lisa is home! I also received a message from her grandmother's guide, and the poor lady is still clinging to life. The guide believes the grandmother is staying alive just to see Lisa one more time.”
I like the idea of grandmother and granddaughter reuniting, but couldn't we help Timuthy too? What's the harm in it?
We're still in the backseat of Timuthy's car, so I'm going to keep trying. “Ask her out! Timuthy, don't just let her walk away! Ask... her... out!”
“Mikayla, this should be a job for one of Timuthy's guides,” Sander says. “As I said, this doesn't concern us.”
“It concerns me!” I object. “I want a happy ending!”
It doesn't look like I'm going to get one, though. Timuthy and Lisa say goodbye to each other, and both sound painfully formal.
As he's pulling out of Lisa's driveway, I shout, “Nooo! Timuthy, don't let it end like this! You liked her, right? I thought she was feeling it too! You were a bit geeky, but she was into it. She liked you! She would've said yes!”
“Not every mission has a perfect ending,” Sandalphon says. “Lisa made it home, safe and sound, and that's really all that matters.”
I refuse to accept that. I try to kick Timuthy's chair, to knock some sense into him, but I'm pretty sure he doesn't feel it.
“Timuthy!” I try again. “Turn around and go back to her! It's not too late. You're only three blocks from her house! It would be easy to go back and—”
Sander interrupts me again. “Let's go Home, Mikey. The mission's over.”
My instructor tries to touch me, presumably to warp, but I scoot away before his fingers can graze me. “Timuthy, go back right now and ask that girl out! If you don't, I'm going to be so disappointed in you!”
“You know, you won't get extra credit for this,” says Sandalphon. My mind keeps wanting to call him Sander, but I'm trying to retrain myself.
“That's okay. I don't mind.”
“You're a funny girl, Miss Frost,” he says. “Funny... and very determined.”
Sandalphon looks and sounds a little impatient, and I don't like that he's back to calling me Miss Frost, but I try one more time. “Timuthy!” I shout. “Go back to Lisa's house and ask her on a date! Now!”
The station wagon whips around so fast, it screeches. I didn't know it was possible for a big, clunky car to move like that.
“I did it! He's going back!” Without thinking, I raise my hand, hoping to get a high-five from Sandalphon. I'm shocked when he plays along.
Sandalphon shares a sobering thought as our fingers smash together. “It may be too soon to celebrate. We don't know he's definitely going to ask her out. What if he's going back to return her Happy Meal toy?” He directs my attention to a tiny toy car, abandoned on the dash.
“No way!” I squeal. “He's practically speeding. Why would he do that for a stupid toy?”
“I was teasing,” says Sandalphon, chuckling. “I guess my ability to tell a joke is... lacking.”
“No, it was really good, actually. You sounded so monotone and serious.”
Seconds later, Timuthy is pulling into the driveway and popping out of his car. Lisa, looking every bit as eager as he does, flies from her house before he reaches the porch.
They both start speaking at the exact same time.
Lisa says, “I thought you were—”
Timuthy begins, “I was going to—”
Lisa stops, encouraging him to go first.
“I really like you,” Timuthy blurts. “There. I said it, and I didn't even stutter.”
“It would have been just as charming if you did stutter,” replies a grinning Lisa.
“If you like my stutter, you must be the girl for me.”
Lisa and Timuthy look so adorable together, I wish I could manifest an even cuter reunion for them. I wish I could send her running into his arms, in the rain, Notebook-style. I love that movie, and everything looks more passionate in the pouring rain.
Unfortunately, manifestation doesn't work like that.
“So... how about a date sometime?” The question comes from Lisa. Lisa! I'm shook.
“I think I'd really like that,” Timuthy says. “You're not worried about the distance between us? I'm going back to C-Columbus, you know.”
“I'm not worried. You can come back this weekend,” Lisa proposes. “It's only a couple hours away. You can work on your driving. I mean, let's be honest, it really needs work.”
Timuthy chuckles, so I guess he's not offended. “Yeah. You're right. It does.”
They part with an extended hug and a promise to keep in contact. It might not be the passionate Notebook-style reunion of my dreams, but I'll take it. I need to get better at warping so I can check on them in a few days. I doubt Sander would be willing to take me back.
“I'll take you,” he corrects the thought in my head. “And... I don't mind if you keep calling me Sander. I think it's cute.”
I'm really tempted to elbow him for listening to my thoughts, but his smile is killer. It's the kind of smile that could break a thousand hearts, and I don't want to hurt him.
I don't even care if he heard that, because I want him to know how I feel. While a part of me thinks it would be weird to hook up with my instructor, another part of me wouldn't mind if Sandalphon totally pulled a Timuthy and asked me out.
But I'm dreaming, right? Sandalphon is an Archangel, and they're supposed to be really important. He would never ask me out.
Sadly, he doesn't correct me again, so I send a text to Alyx. It's only two emojis, but need I say more?
It's a sad face, followed by a broken heart.