Lia was running for her life.
Again.
"WHY IS THIS MY PERSONALITY NOW—?!" she yelled while trying not to trip over her own feet.
Ethan grabbed her arm and pulled her into a narrow street.
"Quiet," he whispered.
"I AM QUIET. THIS IS MY QUIET."
"That's concerning."
They ducked behind wooden crates as footsteps echoed nearby.
Lia peeked.
Big mistake.
A man walked past holding a rifle.
"A RIFLE?!" she whispered-yelled. "THIS IS NOT A NORMAL DAY."
Ethan covered her mouth.
"Do you want them to hear you?"
She nodded.
"…no."
After a moment, the street went quiet.
Ethan finally let go.
Lia took a deep breath.
"Okay," she said. "Quick question."
"What."
"Why are people trying to kill you?"
Pause.
"…Long story."
"I HAVE TIME. CLEARLY."
Instead of answering, Ethan started walking.
"Hey! That's illegal. You can't just ignore me."
"You talk too much."
"And you don't talk enough. We need balance. Communication. Therapy."
"I don't know what therapy is."
"…that checks out."
They stopped in front of an old house.
It looked abandoned.
"Please don't tell me this is where you hide bodies," Lia said.
He opened the door.
"Only on weekdays."
"…YOU'RE JOKING RIGHT?"
He didn't answer.
"OH MY GOD."
Inside—
People.
A lot of people.
All armed.
All staring at her.
Lia froze.
"…I think I walked into the wrong group chat."
A girl with short hair stepped forward.
"Who's she?"
Ethan shrugged. "Found her outside. She talks too much."
"HEY—"
"Can we keep her?" the girl asked.
"KEEP ME?? I'M NOT A PET—"
"She might be useful," Ethan added.
Lia blinked.
"…useful how??"
The girl circled her.
"You dress weird."
"It's called fashion. You wouldn't understand."
"…I like her," the girl smirked.
"FINALLY SOMEONE WITH TASTE."
Ethan leaned against the wall, watching her.
Still quiet.
Still intense.
Still unfairly attractive.
Lia pointed at him.
"Okay we need to talk."
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
"Yes."
"…you're annoying."
"Thank you."
She walked up to him.
Closer.
"Listen," she said. "I'm from the future. You exist there too. You're nicer. Less… murder-y."
"I don't murder people."
"Okay but like… the vibe says otherwise."
He stared at her.
Trying to read her.
"Prove it," he said.
"Oh I will."
She crossed her arms.
"You hate thunderstorms."
He froze.
"…what?"
"You act tough but you flinch when it's loud."
Silence.
"…that doesn't prove anything."
"You also can't swim."
Now he looked offended.
"I can swim."
"You almost drowned when you were ten."
"…who told you that?"
"You did. In the future."
The room went quiet.
Everyone watching now.
Ethan stepped closer.
"Say that again."
"You're in my future," Lia said softly. "Just… different."
For a second—
Something shifted again.
That same look from earlier.
Like he was remembering something he shouldn't.
Then—
BANG!
The door burst open.
"THEY FOUND US!"
Everyone moved at once.
Guns out.
Chaos.
Lia panicked.
"WHY DOES EVERY CONVERSATION HERE END WITH VIOLENCE—?!"
Ethan grabbed her.
"Stay behind me."
"Again with that line??"
Gunfire exploded.
People shouting.
The house shook.
Lia ducked, heart racing.
"Okay this is NOT cute anymore—"
A man rushed toward her—
"OH MY GOD—"
Before she could react—
Ethan stepped in front of her.
Fast.
Too fast.
He disarmed the guy and shoved him back.
Then turned—
"Are you okay?"
Lia blinked.
"…you just saved me."
"Don't make it a big deal."
"It IS a big deal. That was lowkey romantic."
"This is not romantic."
"It kinda is."
He stared at her.
Then sighed.
"…stay close."
Lia smiled.
"Gladly."
As the fight continued, Lia realized something.
She wasn't just stuck in the past.
She wasn't just with her crush.
She was part of something bigger.
Something dangerous.
Something that could change—
Everything.
And somehow…
She had a feeling—
This version of Ethan?
Was hiding something.
Something that connected the past…
To her future.
✨ End of Chapter 2