Forum Thread

Shaye is untangling her hair at the dinner table. It's rude, but when you've been through as much as she has, you get certain privilege- ope, there went the hair. What a shame. Her long hair looked nice.

Luke is on the couch, staring at the television. His brown hair is shorter than you remember. It happens. Rachel is beside him, head on his shoulder. At least she looks the same.

You went back to your bowl of nachos, taking a chip, dipping it in the guacamole and popping it in your mouth. You legs are kicked up on the table, watching Shaye's appearance flicker back and forth.

"You gonna tell me how you got that this time?"

You ask absently, gesturing at the brand new scar over Shaye's right eyebrow, which definitely wasn't there a moment prior.

Shaye glances up at you.

She looks tired, like she always does these days.

"Car crash."

You have the feeling you knew that. Huh. Oh well. You continue shoveling nachos into your mouth.

"Must be exhausting."

You say rather calmly. You sigh, resting your chin on your hand.

Shaye laughs.

"It is. At least you're alive."

You stare at her for a moment more.

"That's true."

You go back to your nachos.

---

Your best friends have always been cooler than you. You don't mind much. But the fact that they all got cool superpowers while you got limited telekinesis… It only slightly irked you.

Luke got power absorption. Rachel got metal manipulation. And Shaye... Shaye got the best of them all.

Time manipulation.

And you started to notice things. How Shaye's appearance shifted suddenly, why, sometimes, you couldn't remember the details of events you knew had happened. Photos disappeared. The layout of the house shifted.

And then, Shaye told you.

"Look, Z, I- you don't understand. It's been... I've been fixing things. Stopping things from happening. I- the original timeline, you'd been dead for 18 years before I got my powers. And ever since then..."

Shaye paused. She continued.

"I've been manipulating every event we've found ourselves in, watched as the world constantly beats you guys down, constantly tries to kill you. I'm fixing it. Fixing it all."

You dip a chip into the guacamole.

"Okay."

She stared at you for a moment.

“That’s it? You’re not… weirded out about the fact that I’ve been changing the past every single time you or either of those two die?”

You shrugged.

“Not really.”

Shaye let out a strangled laugh.

“Wow. You really don’t care.”

“Yep. Don’t care at all.”

“You’re something else, Z.”

“I know.”

---

Shaye's leaving.

Lucas and Rachel left last month. And now, Shaye is, too.

You wake up to th sound of rustling, the sound of rummaging and moving. You get out of bed, swinging your legs over the side of the bed.

You exit your room, pushing the door open, to find Shaye awkwardly tying her shoes. She paused to stare up at you.

"Hey."

You say, hands in your pockets.

She seems distraught.

"Z! you're-"

"Awake. Yes. You have to leave?"

Shaye winces.

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be."

You respond.

"I have to go. I'll try to protect you."

"It's okay."

Shaye shifts uncomfortably. Your gaze hurts her. Your gaze is distrusting. Colder than usual.

"It's not my choice, Z."

"I know. Just go."

Shaye winces.

"I was drafted. It's not-"

"Just go. I'll need to find a new place. I can't pay for this place on my salary..."

You sigh.
Shaye pauses.

You just turn away.

"Come back soon, Shaye. I'll text you my new place when I find one. Okay?"

You sigh, shoving your hands in yoru pockets.

"...Why'd all of you have to get such cool powers?"

---