Revived

twenty-four

The next Friday, I realize that nothing can stay perfect forever.

Audrey goes home sick from school, and even though I talk to her after fourth period and she seems fine, I’m still concerned.

And then Matt and I have our first fight.

It happens after school, when I’m packing for a four-day trip to Seattle. I’m joining Mason and Cassie on their annual pilgrimage to the Northwest for Fabulous Megan’s test. They’ll poke and prod during the day, and Megan and I will have bonding time at night. As much as I love being around Matt and Audrey, I can’t wait to just “be” with Megan. There’s something about spending time with someone who’s known you forever. It’s effortless.

Matt sits on the bed while I pack.

“It sucks that you’ll be gone this weekend,” he says.

“I know. But I’m really excited to see Megan. I haven’t seen her since last year.”

“I’ll miss you,” he says with a flirty smile that I feel to my toes. Smiling, I look back to the T-shirt I’m folding. He grabs one and folds, too.

“Hey, Dais?” Matt says. My stomach flits at the way he shortens my name. I love it.

“Uh-huh?” I murmur, folding happily like we’re an old married couple doing the laundry together.

“There’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you.”

“Oh, yeah? What’s that?”

“It’s a favor.” Matt looks away and, strangely, I don’t take it as a warning. I’m too lost in my fantasy of us playing house.

“Anything for you,” I say. “Ask away.”

And then my fantasy crumbles.

“I want you to steal Revive.”

To say I’m caught off guard is the understatement of the century: I’m a lottery winner who didn’t buy a ticket. Except that would be a good surprise.

This is not.

I’m completely silent for at least three minutes. It would be beyond awkward if there weren’t so many thoughts barreling through my brain, not the least of which is a question: Over these past few weeks, when Matt’s seemed to be falling for me, was it real? Or was he only buttering me up for this favor?

Finally, I find my words… at least three of them.

“There’s no way…” I say, my voice trailing off. Matt looks at me like he’s expecting something. Practically demanding it. I try three more: “Matt, I can’t.”

He stands up from the bed and steps so close to me that we could kiss.

“I know it will be hard, but I think if you—”

“No,” I say decisively, taking a step away from him. “No. I can’t do it. I signed an oath.”

“But it’s for Audrey,” Matt says, touching me lightly on the arm. He looks at me the way he did the night of my birthday. It makes me feel sick.

“No,” I say again. His hand recoils and he turns away from me a bit.

“Don’t you care about my sister?”

“Of course!”

“Don’t you want her to live?”

“Of course!” I say again, raising my voice a little. “But it won’t work on her. Don’t you remember what I told you? This isn’t the way.”

“That’s what you’ve been programmed to say,” Matt mutters. He crosses his arms over his chest.

“Matt, seriously, it won’t work. It doesn’t work on cancer. They’ve tried it.”

“So you’ve said. What did they test it on? Rats?”

“Well, yes, but they’re very good indicators—”

“Daisy, that’s bullshit,” Matt interrupts. “So, what, only you get the drug? No one else is good enough to have it, but you get it five times? Good thing you live with the Revive dealers.”

“Hey!” I shout. “That’s enough.” I stare into Matt’s dark eyes and wonder where the kindness went. Was it really all an act?

Feeling tears coming, I face the bed.

“I think you should leave,” I say without looking at him.

“Good idea,” Matt says bitterly before turning and slamming my bedroom door behind him.