The wind rattled the bare trees.
What if none of it had been real?
My phone buzzed.
Matthew.
I let it ring.
A text appeared.
Where are you? I thought I heard your car a while ago. Are you okay?
Another message arrived less than a minute later.
Ashley? You’re scaring me.
I stared at the screen until it dimmed.
Ashley? You’re scaring me.
Then another memory surfaced.
Freshman year of college.
I had filled out an application for a prestigious summer program.
I spent three days convincing myself not to submit it.
Finally, I crumpled the paperwork and tossed it into my backpack.
A week later, I’d received an acceptance email.
I remembered crying with happiness.
I spent three days convincing myself not to submit it.
I’d told everyone I couldn’t believe I’d actually sent it.
Had I?
Or… Had someone else?
